NL changing regulations to expand scope of practice for nurses

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Health and Community Services recently announced it will amend the regulations of the act governing registered nurses to allow RNs to prescribe medication, order lab testing or diagnostic screening tests, and refer patients to specialists.

Health Minister Tom Osborne told reporters that expanding the scope of practice for nurses will help address gaps caused by the shortage of health care professionals in the province and ensure citizens get the health care they need. Lynn Power, who leads the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, called the move “a big step forward,” noting that it will allow nurses to have more independence and accountability without reducing any standards.

Nurses will be required to undergo three training modules in order to prescribe medication, which is expected to take about a year to complete, and undergo continuous monitoring for competency requirements. The province is also looking to adapt the training into the current curriculum at the province’s Centre for Nursing Studies. Read more from CBC.

Montana governor’s flagship red-tape relief bill takes a legislative beating

HB 152, the single highest profile component of Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature red-tape relief effort that would have overhauled occupational licensure in the state, has been significantly reduced by the House Business and Labor Committee.

Introduced in January, HB 152 (along with two other measures, HB 87 and HB 115) sought to apply standardized forms and procedures to the state’s 32 separate professional licensing boards, many of which operate under distinct statutes. Gianforte and advocates in the labor department argued that standardizing the licensing code would reduce administrative burdens for the state and make it easier for licensed professionals from other states to be able to work in Montana.

However, the legislation met significant resistance from licensed professionals and lobbyists who opposed the proposed changes for taking a one-size-fits-all approach. By the time the House Business and Labor Committee finally passed it on March 24, it had been amended from its original 234 pages to just five. The surviving provisions offer temporary licenses to military spouses living in Montana and exempt licensees who are deployed to military service from renewal fees and continuing education requirements.

Gianforte said at a press conference that he’s “hopeful” lawmakers will add some of the struck provisions back in and acknowledged that the initial bill “was so big it was hard to digest.” Read more from the Montana Free Press.

Michigan joins Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

Michigan officially joined the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) March 29, creating an expedited pathway to licensure for psychologists who wish to practice telemedicine services across state lines.

The compact applies to the delivery of psychological services through telecommunications technologies and only allows for temporary in-person telepsychology across state boundaries for 30 days in a calendar year. The compact does not supersede or change medical practice standards in each state and participating states retain the authority to issue licenses, investigate complaints and discipline physicians practicing in their jurisdictions. To date, 36 states have joined.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) supported Michigan entering the PSYPACT on the grounds that it will increase the availability of telehealth services and give patients in rural and underserved communities more access to psychology services. Read more on the MHA website.

Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board warns of construction scams amid recent storms

As several North Alabama families face having to repair damage to their homes caused by recent storms, the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board is warning those looking to hire construction workers of potential scammers who show up at the door, ask for a down payment, and then disappear.

Chip Carden, executive director of the board, told WAFF news that the number one thing citizens can do to avoid scammers is ask to see their license card. Homebuilders in Alabama must be licensed if they’re doing work over $10,000 and roofers must be licensed for work over $2,500.

Carden also advised citizens to hire locally, see proof of insurance, and ensure they have a local address and a phone number to follow up with. He also emphasized the importance of taking the time to do as much research as possible before choosing who to hire. The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board offers additional tips on how to avoid home repair fraud on its website.

More news:

• The Wisconsin Hospital Association is calling on the state Department of Safety and Professional Services and credentialing boards to streamline the licensing process for professionals in its latest report on the health care workforce, writing that “state laws, agency rules and licensure requirements must facilitate safe and efficient entry into health care professions and must be modernized to reflect the current practice and capabilities of health care professionals and health care teams.”
• The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) expressed support for health care funding commitments included in the recently released federal budget for 2023-24. In a meaningful step toward pan-Canadian licensure for physicians – a reform that the CMA recommended in the Standing Committee on Health’s report, “Addressing Canada’s Health Workforce Crisis” tabled in early March – the budget will hold provinces and territories accountable to advance physician mobility.
• Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Secretary-designee Dan Hereth defended the agency’s budget staffing requests included in Gov. Evers’ budget proposal at a recent Joint Finance Committee hearing. The committee is spending the next several months debating and rewriting the budget to meet the July 1 deadline.

Also noteworthy:

Interesting opinion, commentary, and analysis from the web:

• Licensure exams test our ability to improve recruitment, says National Council for Mental Wellbeing President (National Council for Mental Wellbeing)
• Opinion: Minnesota Legislature erecting unnecessary barriers to teacher licensure (MinnPost)
• Editorial: Lawmakers focused on jobs, education; now it’s Gov. Kemp’s turn (R Street)
• What you need to know about FSRA’s new licensing requirements for private mortgages (Canadian Mortgage Trends)
• ChatGPT said it will ‘revolutionize’ digital government. Human experts are more cautious. (StateScoop)
• NASCIO primer guides adoption of metaverse technology (Government Technology)

Disclaimer: The thoughts, opinions, and commentary of the articles we share links to in Week in Brief do not necessarily reflect those of Ascend Magazine or Thentia.