Program details

POATSP Online course

There are two POATSP online courses: one for MDs and NPs, and one for RNs and RPNs. Learners must complete the course specific to their discipline to move on to preceptorship and receive a BCCSU letter of completion.

The POATSP courses, developed by the BCCSU and UBC CPD, are based on BCCSU’s A Guideline for the Clinical Management of Opioid Use Disorder and cover the key elements of OUD care.

MOC Section 3, Mainpro+ and Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) credits are available to qualifying practitioners.

Workbook

The workbook includes case scenarios and questions to help apply key learnings from POATSP. Completion is mandatory before preceptorship, and learners must bring their completed workbook with them.

There are 4 versions based on training stream:

Community
Acute Care
iOAT
RN/RPN

The community and acute care workbooks are available online. RN/RPN and iOAT learners are prompted to email bccsu_education@bccsu.ubc.ca to receive their workbooks.

Preceptorship

In-person Preceptorship

The preceptorship is a hands-on clinical experience with a BCCSU-approved preceptor, allowing learners to apply POATSP course and workbook knowledge in clinical practice. It provides real-world exposure to substance use treatment for MDs, NPs, residents, and authorized RNs/RPNs. Your role is to support their clinical development through coaching and assessing the learner’s knowledge, clinical reasoning, and overall competency to diagnose and treat OUD.

Learners may have up to two approved preceptors. All preceptors must complete the final evaluation form sent by email.

Virtual Preceptorship

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Required Hours

You are encouraged to extend the preceptorship if needed to confidently sign off on the learner’s prescribing readiness. If additional hours are required, please contact us at  bccsu_education@bccsu.ubc.ca for support.

This may be more common for RN/RPNs, as this is a newer practice area.

Learners should be exposed to all oral OAT options during their preceptorship. If not, they may require additional time with you or another preceptor. BCCSU can help coordinate this if needed.

Typical Preceptorship Settings

Outpatient addiction clinics (e.g., OAT clinics, rapid access addiction clinics)
Inpatient addiction medicine consultation services
Primary care clinics that provide substance use care
Withdrawal management and stabilization services
Community outreach or harm reduction services
Virtual Addiction Medicine Services

Scheduling & Communication

For MD/NP learners: A password-protected preceptor contact list is made available to learners who have completed the POATSP online course.
For RNs and RPN learners: RNs and RPNs must submit their POATSP completion certificate to bccsu_education@bccsu.ubc.ca to receive the RN/RPN preceptor contact list.

Learners are expected to reach out directly to local preceptors to coordinate scheduling a preceptorship.

Attending the Preceptorship

Learners are required to bring their completed workbook to your clinical site. You’ll use it to assess their clinical reasoning and OAT prescribing competency during the preceptorship. Guidebooks (answer keys) are included in your welcome package and align with each workbook stream (e.g. Community, Acute Care, iOAT, RN/RPN).

Please review the Preceptor Checklist (found at the front of the guidebook) with the learner to cover key teaching points. You’ll also be responsible for reviewing their answers and completing the final evaluation form, which will be emailed to you directly.

Invoicing

BCCSU remunerates preceptors for their time supporting POATSP preceptorships. You will be sent a link to fill out an invoice template in addition to one-time financial forms to enable payment processing. Please submit your invoice using the provided BCCSU Invoice Template within 30 days of the last preceptorship day to bccsu_education@bccsu.ubc.ca for timely processing. Additional preceptorship hours (>8 hours for MD/NP, >40 hours for RN/RPN) must be pre-approved by the BCCSU.

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