Running a successful medspa in Tennessee requires navigating complex regulations, particularly when it comes to physician oversight. Two roles that often cause confusion are the Medical Director and the Collaborating Physician. While both provide essential supervision, their responsibilities and legal implications differ significantly.
If you’re a medspa owner or practitioner, understanding these roles will help you remain compliant, expand your services, and choose the right type of physician oversight for your practice.
What is a Medical Director?
A Medical Director is a licensed physician who oversees the medical operations of a practice or medspa. They ensure that all treatments requiring medical supervision, such as microneedling, laser treatments, and injectables, are performed safely and legally.
Key Responsibilities of a Medical Director:
- Overseeing medical treatments and procedures
- Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations
- Developing safety protocols and procedures
- Supporting estheticians, NPs, and PAs in advanced treatments
- Reviewing and approving treatment plans
The Medical Director plays a leadership role in maintaining the safety, professionalism, and legal compliance of the medspa.
What is a Collaborating Physician?
A Collaborating Physician is a physician who works specifically with Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) to provide oversight. In Tennessee, NPs and PAs must have a collaborative agreement with a licensed physician to practice or perform medical procedures.
Key Responsibilities of a Collaborating Physician:
- Providing clinical oversight for NPs and PAs
- Reviewing treatment plans and prescribing protocols
- Ensuring compliance with laws governing mid-level providers
- Offering ongoing mentorship, consultations, and guidance
- Reviewing charts or specific medical procedures as required by regulations
The focus of a Collaborating Physician is on supporting the NP or PA rather than overseeing the broader operations of the medspa.
Medical Director vs. Collaborating Physician: Key Differences
| Role | Medical Director | Collaborating Physician |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Oversight | Entire medspa operations and treatments | Focuses specifically on supporting NPs and PAs |
| Who They Support | Estheticians, NPs, PAs, and other medspa providers | Primarily Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants |
| Procedures Covered | Advanced treatments (microneedling, laser, injectables) | Prescribing, clinical decisions, and medical procedures for NPs/PAs |
| Regulatory Role | Ensures overall compliance with state regulations | Ensures mid-level providers comply with laws |
| Leadership Role | Oversees protocols, safety, and staff training | Provides clinical mentorship and collaborative agreements |
Which Role Do You Need for Your Medspa?
Determining whether you need a Medical Director or a Collaborating Physician depends on:
- Who is Performing the Treatments
- If licensed estheticians are performing treatments like microneedling or chemical peels, you need a Medical Director.
- If NPs or PAs are administering injectables or other medical procedures, they require a Collaborating Physician.
- The Services You Offer
- Treatments like microneedling, laser procedures, or deep chemical peels require a Medical Director to oversee the protocols and ensure compliance.
- If your practice relies on NPs or PAs for medical treatments, a Collaborating Physician is required for those professionals to practice legally.
- Regulatory Requirements
Tennessee laws require strict adherence to medical oversight for specific procedures. Partnering with the correct physician ensures you avoid fines, legal issues, or shutdowns.
Why Partner with Dr. Lindsay Keith as Your Medical Director?
Dr. Lindsay Keith, MD, is an experienced physician offering Medical Director services to medspas across Tennessee. With her leadership, you can ensure full compliance, provide exceptional patient care, and expand your aesthetic offerings confidently.
What Dr. Keith Offers:
- Full oversight of medical treatments requiring supervision
- Compliance with Tennessee regulations for estheticians, NPs, and PAs
- Approachable leadership and personalized guidance
- Support for advanced aesthetic services like microneedling, injectables, and more
By choosing Dr. Keith as your Medical Director, you can focus on growing your medspa while meeting all legal and operational requirements.
Conclusion
While both Medical Directors and Collaborating Physicians provide essential oversight, understanding their differences will help you choose the right partner for your medspa. If your medspa requires medical supervision for treatments performed by estheticians, NPs, or PAs, partnering with an experienced Medical Director like Dr. Lindsay Keith is the key to compliance, growth, and success.
Ready to meet Tennessee’s requirements and elevate your medspa?
Ensure compliance, build trust, and grow your medspa with expert oversight.
