Vermont

Vermont credentials two types of addiction counselors. An Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires a bachelor’s degree, 270 hours of relevant education courses and 4,000 hours of supervised experience. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires a master’s degree, completion of relevant education courses and 2,000 hours of supervised experience. 26 Vt. Stat. Ann. §3236 and Vermont Alcohol and Drug Certification Board

Clinical mental health counselors diagnose and treat mental conditions or psychiatric disabilities and emotional disorders. Counselors use psychoeducational techniques aimed at the prevention of such conditions or disabilities and provide consultations to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. 26 V.S.A. §3261

As of August 2018, 26 NPs in Vermont have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or appropriate experience an NP in independent practice can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. An NP who is prescribing while in collaborative practice with a physician may be able to receive a federal waiver with proper training or experience and as long as the collaborating physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Vt. Stat. Ann. §26-28-1613 and Vt. Stat. Ann. §26.1572

As of August 2018, 7 PAs in Vermont have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in Vermont may prescribe drugs to the extent delegated by a supervising. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in Vermont can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, §1735a(d)

There are currently no statutory or regulatory standards for the certification of peer support service providers.

NPs are authorized to sign clinician orders for life-sustaining treatment forms. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18 §9708

Before full independent practice authority, NPs with fewer than 2,400 hours and 2 years of nursing practice must be in a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. Vt. Stat. Ann. §26-28-1613

NPs may independently prescribe medical, therapeutic, or corrective measures under administrative rules adopted by the Board. Vt. Stat. Ann. §26.1572

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. NPs providing primary care may be primary care providers of record. Vt. Board of Nursing Rules §8.5(a)

Optometrists may examine, diagnose and treat abnormalities of the eye, including foreign body removal. Vt. Stat. Ann. §28-1703

Optometrists may administer pharmaceutical agents. Vt. Stat. Ann. §28-1703

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances. Vt. Stat. Ann. §28-1728

A dental hygienist may provide services in a school or institution under a general supervision agreement with a dentist. The physical presence of the dentist is not required at the practice site of the dental hygienist, but the agreement stipulates that the dentist must review all patient records. The dental hygienist must have three years licensed clinical practice experience. Vermont Board of Dental Examiners Rules 10.2

Dental therapists must practice under the general supervision of a dentist. May prescribe drugs and Schedule V controlled substances. A collaborative agreement is required and must outline practice settings, limitations on services, protocols for prescribing medications, among other items. Vt. Stat. Ann. §26-12 Subchapter 3A

Vermont does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.

Vermont has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

Vermont does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

A pharmacist may prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives in a manner consistent with a valid State protocol approved by the Commissioner of Health, after consultation with the Director of Professional Regulation and the Board of Pharmacy (BOP). The pharmacist must have training and education in that area that is sufficient to perform the duties involved and document prescribing, including notifying the patient’s primary care provider within 5 business days. 26 V.S.A. § 2023

A pharmacist may prescribe and dispense tobacco cessation products, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in a manner consistent with a valid State protocol approved by the Commissioner of Health, after consultation with the Director of Professional Regulation and the Board of Pharmacy (BOP). The pharmacist must have training and education in that area that is sufficient to perform the duties involved and document prescribing, including notifying the patient’s primary care provider within 5 business days. 26 V.S.A. § 2023

A physician assistant must enter into a written practice agreement with a physician who practices in the a specialty similar or related to the physician assistant’s area of specialty. This agreement shall include processes for physician communication (must be accessible for consultation by telephone or electronic means at all times when a PA is practicing), availability, decision making and periodic joint evaluation of services. The agreement should also specify the extent of collaboration required between the PA and other health care professionals. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, §1735a

A PA may prescribe drugs and devices to the extent delegated by the supervising physician. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, §1735a(d)

The delegation agreement must identify the PA’s scope of practice and that the delegation of medical care is appropriate to the PA’s level of competence. All medical care must be delegated by the supervising physician. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, §1735a