BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Should Vermont psychologists be able to prescribe medication?
State regulators are exploring whether to expand the scope of practice for psychologists, allowing them to prescribe medicine in the same way psychiatrists do.
The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation supports the idea, saying it would help expand access to mental health medications. “We want to make sure the education and training is appropriate but that we are improving access to Vermonters, especially in areas where we have a shortage of providers, and mental health is one of those areas,” said Lauren Hibbert with the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation.
She says they support some caveats including only prescribing and not dispensing, more clinical training, and some restrictions on medically complex cases.