Who is authorized to receive a verbal order for medication?

A physician assistant is authorized to receive a verbal order for medication because they operate under the supervision of a licensed physician and have the necessary training and qualifications to interpret and implement treatment plans, including medication orders. Physician assistants are part of the healthcare team and can make decisions regarding patient care, which includes communication about medication orders.

In contrast, a patient's family member does not have the medical training or authority to receive such orders, and a nurse aide typically has limited scope of practice that does not include receiving or processing verbal medication orders. Pharmacists, while they play a critical role in medication management and safety, are generally responsible for verifying and dispensing medications rather than receiving verbal orders directly from healthcare providers. Thus, the role of the physician assistant is critical and appropriate in this context, given their training and position within healthcare teams.