This section is for Nurse Practitioners (NP) looking to become authorized to prescribe Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) drug therapeutics and/or methadone for pain management. In addition, information on the Prescription Review Program (PRP).
Maintenance and Initiating Requirements for OUD Drug Therapeutics and/or Methadone for Pain Management
Methadone for Pain Management
Requirements for Approval
- Review the Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Policy (2.7).
- Practicing NP license in good standing.
Applying for OUD Drug Therapeutics
Before applying to the CRNS for approval to prescribe OUD drug therapeutics, you must:
a) Complete one of the following OUD educational courses:
- Advancing interprofessional Management of Substance Use Disorder in Saskatchewan (AIMS-SK) Workshop by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.
- Provincial Opioid Addiction Treatment Support Program (online & in-person) from the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use.
- Addiction Care and Treatment Course (online) from the University of British Columbia.
- Alberta Opioid Dependency Treatment Course (online) from Alberta Health Services.
b) Identify the OUD drug therapeutics initiating prescriber with whom you will complete at least 16 hours of practicum and have their full name and contact email available during the application process.
Applying for Methadone for Pain Management
Before applying to the CRNS for approval to prescribe methadone for pain management, you must:
a) Complete the following methadone for pain management course:
- Methadone for Pain in Palliative Care course (online) by Canadian Virtual Hospice.
b) Identify the methadone initiating prescriber with whom you will complete a one-day internship and have their full name and contact email available during the application process.
How to complete your OUD and/or Methadone for Pain forms
The Drug Therapy Maintenance Application form is available in Alinity. Here are the steps to complete the application and assessment process:
- Log into your Alinity account.
- Review and update your personal information.
- Find the ‘Drug Therapy Application’ and click ‘Fill In’.
- The next screen asks ‘Fill in the Drug Therapy Application?’, then click ‘Go’.
- Start on the Application tab.
- Complete the mandatory fields.
- Once you have completed the Declaration section and read the Council policy, click the ‘Save for later’ button. This will take you back to the main Alinity dashboard, but is an important step to ensure your information is saved.
- Under ‘Open Forms’ the ‘Drug Therapy Application’ will be visible. Click the ‘Update’ button next to the form to continue with the Assessment portion of the application process.
- Under the Assessment tab, fill in the text box below each of the four (4) standards.
- The Preceptor you have included in your application will receive an email with a link to the Preceptor form to complete and submit to CRNS. Please ensure you have finalized the details of your practicum prior to completing these forms.
- Once you have completed the Declaration and Attestation section, click the ‘Save for later’ button to ensure your information is saved. This will take you back to the main Alinity dashboard. Click the ‘Update’ button next to the form and now you can click ‘Submit’ to finish the process. A notification at the top right of your screen will confirm your submission.
Next Steps
- If more information is required, you will receive an email and a notification on your Alinity dashboard.
- Once your application has been approved, you will receive an ‘Undertaking’ form via email for you to sign and upload into Alinity.
- You will also receive an email indicating that you have been approved as an OUD and/or Methadone for Pain prescriber.
- A copy of the signed ‘Undertaking’ form will be available to download from the ‘My Documents’ section of your Alinity account. Your additional authorizations will also be visible on Nurse License Check.
Requirements for approval are subject to CRNS Bylaws and Council policy changes.
If you have questions, contact OUD@crns.ca
Requirements for Approval
- Review the Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Policy (2.7).
- Practicing NP license in good standing.
To advance from maintenance prescriber to initiating prescriber, the NP must:
- Demonstrate competence to evaluate the suitability of therapeutic management;
- Practice within a multidisciplinary team;
- Regularly assess and treat clients with OUD and/or clients that require methadone for pain; and,
- Have mentorship and support from an established initiating prescriber.
How to complete your OUD and/or Methadone for Pain forms
The Drug Therapy Initiator Application form is available in Alinity. Here are the steps to complete the application and assessment process:
- Log into your Alinity account .
- Review and update your personal information.
- Find the ‘Drug Therapy Application’ and click ‘Update’.
- The next screen asks ‘Fill in the Drug Therapy Application?’, then click ‘Go’.
- Start on the Application tab. Complete the mandatory fields.
- Once you have completed the Declaration section and read the Council policy, click the ‘Save for later’ button. This will take you back to the main Alinity dashboard, but is an important step to ensure your information is saved.
- Under ‘Open Forms’ the ‘Drug Therapy Application’ will be visible. Click the ‘Update’ button next to the form to continue with the Assessment portion of the application process.
- Under the Assessment tab, fill in the text box below each of the four (4) standards.
- Once you have completed the Declaration and Attestation section, click the ‘Save for later’ button to ensure your information is saved. This will take you back to the main Alinity dashboard. Click the ‘Update’ button next to the form and now you can click ‘Submit’ to finish the process. A notification at the top right of your screen will confirm your submission.
Next Steps
- If more information is required, you will receive an email and a notification on your Alinity dashboard.
- Once your application has been approved, you will receive an ‘Undertaking’ form via email for you to sign and upload into Alinity.
- You will also receive an email indicating you have been approved as an OUD and/or Methadone for Pain prescriber.
- A copy of the signed ‘Undertaking’ form will be available to download from the ‘My Documents’ section of your Alinity account. Your additional authorizations will also be visible on Nurse License Check.
An NP may surrender approval to prescribe OUD treatment and/or methadone for pain management. If you no longer require approval to prescribe, complete the NP Prescribing OUD Treatment and/or Methadone for Pain Management Surrender Form and email a copy to OUD@crns.ca.
Requirements for approval are subject to CRNS Bylaws and Council policy changes.
If you have questions, contact OUD@crns.ca
Prescription Review Program
The Prescription Review Program is a prescription monitoring program that is educationally based and monitors for apparent inappropriate prescribing and inappropriate use of all PRP medications in the province.
How can you reach us?
Contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.