WAPA News
The pain management rules for physicians and physician assistants are effective January 2, 2012.
As a reminder:
- The 2010 legislature passed engrossed substitute house bill 2876 requiring that the medical quality assurance commission, and four other boards and commissions, adopt rules regarding the management of chronic noncancer pain.
- The law required that the rules contain specific mandatory elements as well as guidelines. The medical commission adopted their rules for physicians and physician assistants that are effective January 2, 2012.
- The goal of these rules is to provide guidance regarding prescribing for practitioners who treat patients with chronic pain. A key component of the rules is to encourage practitioners to become better educated in the safe and effective uses of these powerful drugs.
- All practitioners who prescribe long-acting opioids are encouraged to have at least four hours of continuing education on that topic.
- Practitioners who have 12 continuing education credits on the topic of chronic pain management within the prior two years are exempt from the requirement for a pain management consultation when prescribing more than 120 mg morphine equivalent per day.
The medical commission worked with the agency medical directors’ group to provide four hours of free CME. Information regarding this CME is available here.
More information regarding the pain management laws and subsequent rules, as well as guidance and resources are available via the medical commissions web page and the Department of Health’s web page.
Forbes Magazine article on Best and Worst Master’s Degrees – PA tied for first place with computer science!
Click here to read more
MQAC LETTER ON PRACTICE PLANS Click here to read
"So You Want to be a Physician Assistant"
by Beth Grivett, PA-C
Click the link below if you are curious about the Physician Assistant profession. It is a great resource for anyone who wants to be a PA and answers many questions-What do PAs do? How do I become a PA? And What to expect.
physicianassistantbooks.com
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MD News Article on PAs!
Click the image to read.
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For online Pain Management CME, click here.
Video of UW CME on Pain Managment Legislation |
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Job Posting With WAPA
To have your job posted send an email to WAPA
We require: 1000 characters or less, a brief job description, a contact person, a way for the PA to send you their CV with cover letter (do you prefer email, fax, hard copy) We do not charge a fee to post jobs on the WAPA website and run them for 90 days. If you need your job listed for more than 90 days, re-send your job opening to WAPA. Our openings are viewed by PAs in WA and those hoping to re-locate to WA.
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WAPA's Mission
To ensure the professional growth and recognition of PAs in the healthcare team and promote excellence of patient centered care in Washington State
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