Education and Training of Behavioral Health Providers:
Safe Prescribing is the culmination of extensive education and training in the medical model of care. It cannot be taught in a crash course.
Physicians
Physicians (MDs and DOs, Including Psychiatrists)
12 years min. education and training:
-
4 year undergraduate degree (typically pre-med with a focus on bio-medical courses
-
4 years medical school with clinical rotations and
internships -
4 years of medical residency (if specializing in psychiatry, the residency is geared specifically to
mental and physical diseases) -
2-4 additional years if choosing a sub-specialty
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Physician Assistants
6 years min. education and training:
-
4 year undergraduate degree (which includes biomedical courses and skills labs)
-
2 year graduate degree
-
Works in an ongoing supervision relationship with a physician
Clinical Psychologists
8 years min. education and training:
-
4 year undergraduate degree
-
2 year graduate degree for training on psychological assessments and psychotherapy
-
2 year coursework toward a PhD or PsyD
-
No biomedical coursework or skills labs required in any of the eight years of education and training
-
HB 323 would allow psychologists up to five years AFTER receiving a certificate to prescribe to obtain the necessary biomedical training (and much less than what is required of APRNs, NPs and PAs)
Social Workers and
Clinical Counselors
6 years min. education and training:
-
4 year undergraduate degree
-
2 year graduate degree
-
Works in an ongoing collaborative agreement with a primary care or psychiatric physician