If a med spa or a nurse injector asks you to be their Medical Director, the right first step is ten questions, not a contract. The good practices answer them easily. The ones that only want a signature will not, and that tells you what you need to know.
This is general information, not legal or regulatory advice. Your college sets what is expected of you, and your liability protection provider decides what it will assist with. Ask both, in writing, before you agree to anything.
Five questions for the practice
- Who injects, and what is their training? Ask for each nurse's registration and their education in the specific treatments. You are issuing orders for these people.
- How will I assess each client? In person, by video, at what point in the booking. If the answer is that you will not, stop there.
- What exactly do you offer? Neuromodulators only, or fillers, biostimulators, anything off-label. Agree to oversee only what is within your own competence.
- What happens when something goes wrong? Ask to see the emergency protocol and the supplies on hand, and how you will be reached and how fast.
- Can I see the charts? A practice that welcomes chart review is one you can direct. One that resists it is not.
Three questions for yourself
- Is this within my scope and competence? Aesthetic experience matters. If you have not practised in the area, get the training before you take responsibility for someone else's.
- How many practices can I genuinely oversee? Each one is real work: assessments, orders, reviews and being available. Decide your limit first.
- Am I registered where the clients are treated? Your registration has to be in the province of the practice, not just the province where you live.
Two questions for other people
- Ask your college what it expects of a physician or NP who provides medical direction to a practice they do not own, and whether you may do it remotely in your province. The answer differs: see the rules by province.
- Ask your liability protection provider whether it will assist you in this role and with these treatments. Do not assume, and do not rely on what a practice or a website tells you, including this one.
Signs you should walk away
- They want orders signed in advance, or one standing order for everyone.
- They cannot tell you how you would meet or assess a client.
- They mostly want you so they can order product.
- They are in a hurry and vague about who injects.
How Plus One MD fits
We introduce practices to physicians and NPs. We check registrations on both sides and we only introduce practices that fit what you told us you are willing to oversee. You choose every practice, and you can say no to any of them. We are not a party to the arrangement and we do not set its terms. New to the role? Start with what a Medical Director does and how to become one.
Ready to look at practices that fit?
Tell us your registration, the treatments you are comfortable overseeing and how many practices you want. We introduce, you decide.
Join the network What a Medical Director doesQuestions physicians and NPs ask
What should I ask before becoming a Medical Director for a med spa?
Ask who injects and what their training is, how you will assess each client, exactly which treatments are offered, what the emergency protocol is, and whether you can review charts. Then ask your college and your liability protection provider what they expect and will support.
Is a Medical Director responsible for what the nurses do?
The prescriber is accountable for their own assessment and orders, and each nurse is accountable for their own practice. How responsibility is shared in your province is a question for your college.
Does my liability protection cover medical direction?
Only your provider can answer that. Ask it in writing, describe the role and the treatments, and get the answer before you agree to direct a practice.
How many practices can a Medical Director oversee?
As many as you can genuinely oversee. Each practice means assessments, orders, chart review and being reachable, so decide your own limit first.
Can I say no to a practice Plus One MD introduces?
Yes. You choose every practice you take on, and how many.
General information for physicians and Nurse Practitioners in Canada. Not medical, legal, regulatory, insurance or compliance advice. Plus One MD is an introduction service and is not a party to any oversight arrangement. Confirm what applies to you with your own college and your liability protection provider.