Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Changes Role of Nurse Practitioners
OPEN MINDS Weekly News Wire Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services On March 27, 2010, The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfares (DPW) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) issued a bulletin regarding Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners' (CRNPs) prescribing authority in mental health and mental retardation programs. Under the new rules, CRNPs may prescribe medications for individuals who receive services in a licensed outpatient clinic, partial hospitalization program, adult training facility, or family living home or community home for individuals with mental retardation. CRNPs must have prescribing authorization certification from the State . . .
