Yes. A licensed ARNP, physician or physician assistant may sign a POLST. The health care practitioner signing the form assumes full responsibility for obtaining informed consent from the patient or surrogate decision-maker. The form must also be signed by the patient or surrogate to be valid. Verbal orders are acceptable with a follow-up signature following facility policy.
The ARNP should periodically review the POLST instructions with the individual or family for any treatment preference changes and consistency with any advance directive, especially if there are substantial changes in the person's health status. The Washington State Medical Association provides many resources and references in helping individuals receive the end-of-life care they specify.