Finding a Collaborating Physician in West Virginia
The regulatory landscape for nurse practitioners (NPs) varies widely by state and can be challenging to navigate. Zivian was created to handle the challenges of collaboration compliance so that you can focus on providing care. If you are an NP trying to find a collaborating physician in West Virginia, Zivian is here to help!
The state of West Virginia requires some nurse practitioners to collaborate with a physician. West Virginia’s regulatory structure is Reduced Practice Authority.
In this post, we break down state regulations and key considerations for West Virginia NPs to establish a compliant collaboration with a physician.
Note: State regulations and requirements are subject to change. Always check with your state medical or nursing board to confirm the most up-to-date information.
What Is the Practice Environment for NPs in West Virginia?
In which category does the state fall: NP independent practice, transition to independence, or collaboration required?
West Virginia’s regulatory structure is Reduced Practice. Collaboration with a physician is required, but transition to independence is available for some NPs.
Delegation Authority and Process
Is an agreement required?
A collaborative agreement is required for NPs with prescriptive authority.
Transition to independence is available for NPs with prescriptive authority. NPs with greater than three (3) years of practice experience in a duly-documented collaborative relationship with granted prescriptive authority may practice independently upon application and approval by the West Virginia Board of Nursing.
No collaborative relationship is required for NPs without prescriptive authority.
What form of agreement is required and what are the requirements for the substance of the agreement?
Contact our team to learn more about the required components of a West Virginia collaboration agreement.
Where must the agreement be stored?
Medical Board non-binding guidelines state that the physician should “maintain a copy of the collaborative agreement at all times.”
Does the agreement need to be filed with the state?
Yes. NPs must submit the original notarized Collaborative Agreement to the board for approval.
Are there requirements to file the agreement after the initial filing (e.g., for updates or on a specified frequency)?
The NP must renew prescriptive authority every other year.
Per the West Virginia Board of Nursing: All APRN licenses and RXA privileges expire June 30 of every odd year. The APRN/RXA renewal period for 2023 will begin May 1 and end June 30.
Who must sign the agreement?
The NP and the physician must sign the collaborative agreement.
How often must the agreement be reviewed / reauthorized?
There is no requirement.
What are the qualifications for the collaborating provider (licensure, same scope, active practice in state, etc.)?
First, the Physician must be licensed in good standing WV.
The following qualifications are required for collaborating physicians, as outlined by the West Virginia Board of Medicine:
No physician should enter into a collaborative agreement with an advanced practice registered nurse whose specialty is not the same or similar to the physician.
The collaborative agreement should not include medications that the physician does not include in his or her current practice and about which the physician is not knowledgeable and competent.
Prior to entering into any collaborative agreement, the physician should consider all of the following when determining what degree of autonomy should be given to an advanced practice registered nurse:
The physician’s personal knowledge of and ability to observe the practice of the advanced practice registered nurse;
The scope of practice of the advanced practice registered nurse;
The patient population of the advanced practice registered nurse;
The physician’s professional confidence in the degree of discretion allotted to the advanced practice registered nurse;○
The educational training of the advanced practice registered nurse relating to the subject medications;
The physician’s ability to effectively assess the professional ability of the advanced practice registered nurse to appropriately prescribe the subject medications;
The professional experience of the advanced practice registered nurse in a setting where the subject medications are utilized;
The physician’s knowledge of and experience with the medications being authorized by the collaborative agreement;
The geographic location of the physician's practice and the practice of the advanced practice registered nurse and their ability to consult in a manner consistent with safe patient care.
What are the qualifications for the NP?
See requirements outlined by the West Virginia Board of Nursing.
Is an alternate collaborating physician required?
There is no requirement.
Collaboration Requirements
Are there ratios / limits on the number of NPs that a collaborator may supervise or enter into collaboration agreements?
The West Virginia Medical Board “strongly recommends” that physicians should not enter collaborative agreements with more than 3 NPs or FTEs.
Is there an express requirement to review a certain number / percentage of charts?
There is no express requirement, but this should be determined and included within collaborative agreement.
Is there a requirement to meet and, if so, how often?
The Non-binding guideline from the Medical Board states evaluation, review and updating protocols and prescriptive practice should be done at least on an annual basis and should be in writing and face-to-face.
Are there proximity requirements (e.g., between the NP/collaborator or practice site)?
There is no requirement. But see considerations above for a physician.
Are there location-specific requirements (e.g., that collaborator must go to practice site at some frequency)?
There is no requirement.
Is remote supervision allowed / are there limitations on remote supervision?
There is no requirement.
Additional Filing Requirements
Outside of filing the collaboration agreement, must the physician and/or NP file any separate forms?
Contact us today to learn more about filing requirements for West Virginia collaboration agreements.
Prescription Requirements and Controlled Substance Prescribing
What are the prescription requirements?
Each prescription and subsequent refills given by the nurse practitioner must be entered on the patient's chart.
For more details on prescribing requirements, contact the Zivian team.
What are the requirements for controlled substance prescribing?
The nurse practitioner must:
Not prescribe Schedule I controlled substance as provided in § 60A-2-204 et seq.;
Up to a three-day supply of a Schedule II narcotic as provided in § 60A-2-206 et seq.;
Opioid prescribing requirements can be found here.
Find a Collaborating Physician in West Virginia with Zivian Health
Zivian handles all the challenges of compliance so that you can stay focused on providing great patient care.
If you are in need of a collaborating physician in West Virginia, contact us today!
