Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) certified in Opioid Use Disorder (CP-OUD) can now prescribe and administer extended-release buprenorphine (Sublocade). See below for more information.
This page is intended for registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) who are completing the POATSP education and training pathway to apply for Certified Practice Opioid Use Disorder (CP-OUD) designation to diagnose and treat opioid use disorder.
For physicians or nurse practitioners, information about the education and training pathway is here.
An evaluation of the POATSP training pathway for RNs and RPNs is available here.
Formal authorization from your regional health lead is required
For health authority RNs and RPNs taking the education and training pathway to apply for CP-OUD to diagnose and treat OUD, a formal authorization from the RNs or RPNs’ regional health lead is required.
If you have not yet received authorization from your regional health lead and are interested in seeking it, contact the relevant health authority:
- First Nations Health Authority: [email protected]
- Fraser Health Authority: [email protected]
- Interior Health Authority: [email protected]
- Northern Health Authority: [email protected]
- Island Health Authority: [email protected]
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority: [email protected]
- Providence Health Care Authority: [email protected]
- Provincial Health Services Authority: [email protected]
If you are not employed by the health authority, please see the training process for non-health authority nurses below.
The education and training pathway
There are three components to the education and training pathway for prescribing OAT medications (POATSP: Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses online course, workbook, preceptorship).
The POATSP: Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (POATSP: RNs and RPNs) online course consists of 30 modules based on the provincial guideline for opioid use disorder, A Guideline for the Clinical Management of Opioid Use Disorder, to provide education on the key elements of opioid use disorder care. It is estimated to take 14-16 hours to complete, and is developed by the BCCSU and the University of British Columbia’s Division of Continuing Professional Development (UBC CPD).
Accreditation information
The University of British Columbia Division of Continuing Professional Development (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME) to provide study credits for continuing medical education for physicians.
CNA Accreditation (14.0 credit hours)
The POATSP: RNs and RPNs online course has been approved for 14 CNA credits by the CNA board of directors and the CNA Accreditation Program. CNA accreditation is valid until December 31, 2024.
The workbook contains case scenarios and questions to apply learnings from the POATSP: RNs and RPNs online course.
The preceptorship is in-person education with an experienced prescriber. During the preceptorship, the completed workbook will be reviewed. It is an opportunity to apply the learnings from the POATSP: RNs and RPNs online course and workbook in clinical practice.
RN/RPN CP-OUD Scope Expansion: Extended-release Buprenorphine
Extended-release buprenorphine (Sublocade) is an opioid agonist therapy for individuals with moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder who have been stabilized on sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone. This expansion is a significant step forward in enhancing opioid agonist treatment (OAT) options and improving care for people with opioid use disorder.
Key Updates:
- New Buprenorphine Decision Support Tool (DST): Now includes guidance on extended-release buprenorphine.
- Education Requirements:
-
- Required:
- POATSP: RN & RPN Extended-release Buprenorphine Module
- Indivior Sublocade Certification Prescribing Course: 15-minute online course on how to prescribe and administer extended-release buprenorphine (Sublocade), and how to become familiar with warnings, precautions, and safety information. The learner will complete a certification quiz at the end of the program, with successful completion allowing the learner to prescribe.
- Optional:
- BCCSU Practical Administration of Sublocade Injection online course (UBC CPE): A 45-minute course through on the practical administration of Sublocade, accredited for 0.75 CEUs.
- Required:
- Updated Workbook and Guidebook: these feature new content and case studies to support learning through case studies on extended-release Buprenorphine. Contact the BCCSU ([email protected]) to obtain the updated Registered Nurse and Registered Psychiatric Nurse CP-OUD Workbook.
Note: The minimum recommended time for preceptorships for RNs and RPNs is 40 hours; however, there may be circumstances where additional learning time and preceptorship days are required. Preceptors and RNs/RPNs can collaboratively determine whether the duration of the preceptorship is sufficient or should be extended in order ensure each RN/RPN has the necessary time to develop their knowledge, skills, and key competencies. If adding more than one full preceptorship day, please email [email protected] to discuss.
CP-OUD Pathway Application and Intake Dates
| Application Deadline | Training Start Date | Training Completion Date |
| March 15 | April 1 | June 30 |
| June 15 | July 1 | September 30 |
| September 15 | October 1 | December 31 |
| December 1 | January 1 | March 31 |
The education and training pathway: Step-by-step guide
- Obtain formal authorization from your regional health lead
- Complete the required modules in the POATSP: RNs and RPNs online course
- Obtain a Certificate of Completion in the online platform
- Contact the BCCSU ([email protected]) to obtain:
- The Registered Nurse and Registered Psychiatric Nurse Prescribing Workbook
- Information to schedule a preceptorship
- Note that this is with an OAT preceptor approved by the BCCSU
- Schedule a preceptorship
- Complete the Registered Nurse and Registered Psychiatric Nurse Prescribing Workbook either on paper or electronically
- Reminder: The workbook will only be made available to RNs/RPNs who have formal authorization from their regional health lead to take the education and training pathway to prescribe OAT medications and have sent a POATSP: RNs and RPNs Certificate of Completion to the BCCSU
- Bring the completed workbook to the preceptorship
- Attend the in-person preceptorship
- Note that RNs and RPNs must have completed the POATSP: RNs and RPNs online course within 3 months of attending a preceptorship
- This is to ensure that RNs and RPNs have an adequate working memory of the extensive content covered in this course before applying this practice in person
- Note that RNs and RPNs must have completed the POATSP: RNs and RPNs online course within 3 months of attending a preceptorship
- Complete any additional learning at the discretion of the preceptor
- Complete the online Preceptorship Form (found in the workbook)
- The Preceptorship Form is an online form to report that the preceptorship has been completed
Once these steps above are completed, the preceptor will need to:
- Complete the Preceptor Review Evaluation (sent to the preceptor via email) and submit to the BCCSU
After the education and training pathway has been completed
- The BCCSU will issue a Proof of Completion letter, which is sent via email to both:
- The RN or RPN learner Opioid Use Disorder Certified learner and
- The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
- The RN/RPN learner will submit a CP OUD application form to [email protected]
- Upon receipt, the BCCNM will process the certified practice application
- Once certified practice has been granted, the BCCNM will also provide instructions to the CP-OUD RN or RPN on how to:
- Access PharmaNet with help from employer
- Apply to Medical Services Plan (MSP) to obtain an MSP number
- Order a Controlled Drugs and Substances prescription pad
Certified Practice Opioid Use Disorder (CP-OUD) Education Pathway for Non-Health Authority-affiliated Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
In the authorized education and training pathway for certified practice in opioid use disorder (CP-OUD), there are a limited number of designated seats per year for RNs and RPNs employed outside of health authority settings.
Eligibility
To be eligible, registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) who are not employed by a health authority and want to become opioid use disorder certified (CP-OUD) need:
- To be a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse in British Columbia registered with BCCNM
- Approval from your employer (i.e., program manager or nursing supervisor with your organization) to complete the education and training pathway
- To commit to applying their OUD-certified practice scope by caring for people with OUD by diagnosing, treating, and managing ongoing care as an integral part of their professional duties after completing the education and training pathway
Application and Approval Process
Once you have approval from your employer, please complete the RN/RPN CP-OUD education application form prior to the application deadlines.
Successful candidates will be notified by email, and will be required to complete same comprehensive education and training pathway as Health Authority-affiliated nurses, including POATSP RN/RPNs online course, workbook, and 40-hour preceptorship with a BCCSU-approved preceptor.
There is no charge to complete the authorized CP-OUD education and training pathway; participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and expenses related to the preceptorship.
After successful training completion, BCCSU will provide BCCNM with the names and registration numbers of those nurses who have completed the BCCSU CP-OUD education and training pathway. The RN/RPN then applies to the BCCNM to register for CP-OUD designation. The learner receives confirmation through the BCCNM that they have been entered into their Certified Practice registry, and will receives a BCCNM-assigned prescriber number.
Seat Allocation
There are 10 seats available in the CP-OUD Education per year. Seat allocation is based on community needs, which includes prioritization of rural/remote locations, and other equity based-care considerations. The BCCSU reserves the right to adjust seat allocation based on utilization and need, throughout the year. Application to the pathway does not guarantee acceptance.
For information or questions contact: [email protected]
Apply to be a Preceptor for CP-OUD RNs/RPNs
- If you are an MD, NP, or CP-OUD RN/RPN please review the Preceptor application form for eligibility, and if you believe you would be a good candidate, please complete the application and email it to [email protected].