However, reference to APNs in this Directive is restricted to Clinical Nurse Specialists and Nurse Practitioners. Most APNs are educationally prepared at the master's level. CPSs are Masters or Pharm. D. graduates, pharmacists who have completed an accredited residency, specialty board certified pharmacists, or pharmacists with equivalent experience. Employment Qualification Standards for Physician Assistants.
PAs function as agents of their supervising physician within their identified scope of practice.
VA can provide high quality care through the proper utilization of a variety of well qualified and appropriately credentialed health care providers. Consistent with the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, applicable regulations and informal Food and Drug Administration guidance, the Under Secretary for Health has determined that for non-controlled substances, VA will exercise its authority in defining inpatient and outpatient medication prescribing privileges for CNSs, NPs, CPSs, and PAs. Medication prescribing privileges for controlled substances can only be granted in accordance with the Federal Controlled Substances Act and applicable regulations contained in 21 CFR Part 1300. In order to prescribe controlled substances, the health care practitioner's State of licensure or registration must permit him or her to do so. Each facility that permits CNSs, NPs, CPSs, and PAs to prescribe controlled substances will be responsible for assuring that such practitioners are authorized to do so by their State of licensure or registration and for complying with the limitations and restrictions on that authority.