Q: I am working in a practice setting where I will be prescribing methadone. What are my accountabilities?
A: Prescribing methadone is within the professional scope of practice of an NP.
Your accountabilities when prescribing methadone include:
- Attaining the necessary knowledge, skills, and judgement to prescribe methadone safely. This includes the completion of any additional employer-specific education or courses that you have identified to meet your educational needs.
- Prescribing based on a comprehensive client assessment, current evidence-informed guidelines, best practice, and employer policy related to prescribing methadone.
- Consulting and collaborating with an appropriate provider when the needs of the client are beyond your competence.
- Obtaining a Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program (NSPMP) number prior to prescribing controlled drugs and substances, including methadone.
For further information on anything contained within this practice support tool, please contact an NSCN Practice Consultant at practice@nscn.ca.
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