Medical authorization for nanny?

[Anonymous]

Do you have a medical authorization so your nanny can take the baby to the doctor if needed? I am starting a nanny share, and I am tempted to do one in case of something urgent that needs attention before I can get home (knowing that they would treat in a true emergency regardless), but I'm not sure I feel comfortable with authorizing her for medical treatment. I'd appreciate any perspectives on this.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I have had this for some families and not for others. I have primarily used it when taking kids for the doctor when they are sick enough to need a doctor visit, but not sick enough for mom and dad to need to stay home (things like an ear infection). It depends on your comfort level, needs and expectations.

[Anonymous]

We have this on file with our pediatrician for our nanny.

In reality, if the kids are sick enough to see the doctor then a parent stays home and takes them (sometimes w/ the nanny). In some sort of emergency we would always be accessible by phone while on the way to the doctor or ER or whatever, so I don't think it's a major issue for day to day stuff.

But we travelled out of the country last year so it was critical in that instance for the nanny to be able to handle a medical need.

[Anonymous]

You don't trust your nanny to make the best decision for your son? That is your biggest issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't trust your nanny to make the best decision for your son? That is your biggest issue.

I meant child, not son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't trust your nanny to make the best decision for your son? That is your biggest issue.

PP/MB here - I don't think this is a fair criticism of the OP. Deciding to cede medical decision making to anyone else, no matter who, isn't something that should be done lightly and the OP is just starting this nanny share, so presumably the nanny isn't someone with whom there is an established relationship. Medical decisions aren't always straightforward either - suppose a child needs stitches on his/her face. Maybe a parent wouldn't choose to have the oncall ER physician do that if there is a possibility of getting the child to a cosmetic surgeon (just as a for instance).

IMO a parent should always be primary. My nanny would never want to take on primary medical responsibility unless she absolutely had to - that's a lot to ask of someone. It shouldn't be done without discussion, though, and - preferably - an existing foundation of trust and understanding between nanny and parents.

I trust our nanny more than many of our family members when it comes to the care of our children, and have actually taken legal steps to ensure the primacy of decision making in the event of a tragedy, but I sure didn't do that until we were a couple of years into the relationship.

[Anonymous]

I insist on having this for every child in my care. While parents are available by phone most of the time, most people don't carry cell pho es into workplace meetings and my current MB is underground on the red line for 25 minutes. Not to mention how often cell phones die before people get home. Those slim chances that I would not be able to reach a parent is enough for me to feel I need that authorization. Unfortunately, I have had to use it in my 8 years as a nanny. I would advise limiting the authorization to life sustaining treatment if you are really unsure about the nannies judgement. Although that does not cover treatment to maintain brain functioning or bunch of other things... Are you sure you want to withhold that authorization OP??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I insist on having this for every child in my care. While parents are available by phone most of the time, most people don't carry cell pho es into workplace meetings and my current MB is underground on the red line for 25 minutes. Not to mention how often cell phones die before people get home. Those slim chances that I would not be able to reach a parent is enough for me to feel I need that authorization. Unfortunately, I have had to use it in my 8 years as a nanny. I would advise limiting the authorization to life sustaining treatment if you are really unsure about the nannies judgement. Although that does not cover treatment to maintain brain functioning or bunch of other things... Are you sure you want to withhold that authorization OP??

Drama queen.

You wouldn't be a fit for us. You'd lose me at "I insist on..."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I insist on having this for every child in my care. While parents are available by phone most of the time, most people don't carry cell pho es into workplace meetings and my current MB is underground on the red line for 25 minutes. Not to mention how often cell phones die before people get home. Those slim chances that I would not be able to reach a parent is enough for me to feel I need that authorization. Unfortunately, I have had to use it in my 8 years as a nanny. I would advise limiting the authorization to life sustaining treatment if you are really unsure about the nannies judgement. Although that does not cover treatment to maintain brain functioning or bunch of other things... Are you sure you want to withhold that authorization OP??

Drama queen.

You wouldn't be a fit for us. You'd lose me at "I insist on..."

The same way I insist on seatbelts and bare cribs. Call it drama if you like. My NF trusts me to keep my charge safe. I don't need a job from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I insist on having this for every child in my care. While parents are available by phone most of the time, most people don't carry cell pho es into workplace meetings and my current MB is underground on the red line for 25 minutes. Not to mention how often cell phones die before people get home. Those slim chances that I would not be able to reach a parent is enough for me to feel I need that authorization. Unfortunately, I have had to use it in my 8 years as a nanny. I would advise limiting the authorization to life sustaining treatment if you are really unsure about the nannies judgement. Although that does not cover treatment to maintain brain functioning or bunch of other things... Are you sure you want to withhold that authorization OP??

Drama queen.

You wouldn't be a fit for us. You'd lose me at "I insist on..."

MB here and I actually agree with the nanny. I have lingering issues with my wrist because of a delay in treatment when it broke. I would feel like the worst mother ever if my child needlessly suffered because I orDh couldn't be reached in a timely manner. DC' nanny has medical authorization and along with the authorizations, has a few things we've listed as being important. One of those includes pps face stitches done by a plastic surgeon example.

Maybe times have changed and I haven't kept up with it, but when they say they say they won't do anything for your kid unless it is an emergency, they mean life or death emergency. Not what you might consider to be an emergency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I insist on having this for every child in my care. While parents are available by phone most of the time, most people don't carry cell pho es into workplace meetings and my current MB is underground on the red line for 25 minutes. Not to mention how often cell phones die before people get home. Those slim chances that I would not be able to reach a parent is enough for me to feel I need that authorization. Unfortunately, I have had to use it in my 8 years as a nanny. I would advise limiting the authorization to life sustaining treatment if you are really unsure about the nannies judgement. Although that does not cover treatment to maintain brain functioning or bunch of other things... Are you sure you want to withhold that authorization OP??

Drama queen.

You wouldn't be a fit for us. You'd lose me at "I insist on..."

The same way I insist on seatbelts and bare cribs. Call it drama if you like. My NF trusts me to keep my charge safe. I don't need a job from you.

Perfect.

[Anonymous]

I have had medical authorization for all the children that I have nannied because the ER's definition of emergency medicine and a patents are two different things. Thankfully in the 6 years I have been a nanny I have never had to use medical authorization. If a patent was not comfortable giving me medical authorization I will explain the benefits but it wouldn't be a deal breaker if they didn't extend it. The only exception is that I require medical authorization if my employers are traveling and I am working 24+ hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had medical authorization for all the children that I have nannied because the ER's definition of emergency medicine and a patents are two different things. Thankfully in the 6 years I have been a nanny I have never had to use medical authorization. If a patent was not comfortable giving me medical authorization I will explain the benefits but it wouldn't be a deal breaker if they didn't extend it. The only exception is that I require medical authorization if my employers are traveling and I am working 24+ hours.

This. Otherwise it really isn't necessary unless the parents are 100% unavailable during work hours. The ER will make decisions for the minor in most cases anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have had medical authorization for all the children that I have nannied because the ER's definition of emergency medicine and a patents are two different things. Thankfully in the 6 years I have been a nanny I have never had to use medical authorization. If a patent was not comfortable giving me medical authorization I will explain the benefits but it wouldn't be a deal breaker if they didn't extend it. The only exception is that I require medical authorization if my employers are traveling and I am working 24+ hours.

This. Otherwise it really isn't necessary unless the parents are 100% unavailable during work hours. The ER will make decisions for the minor in most cases anyway.

I do take my charge to the doctor's office for regular check-ups and minor issues - I don't know if MB gave the doctor's office any special authorization however.

[Anonymous]

Don't give it to her. She should call you and you can cross your fingers yt? Your kid doesn't die before you get there.