Collaborating physician questions!

[chiromed0]

Need info and advice. First, I am a new FNP. Licensed but not DEA. Most job ads ask for DEA # but in Texas that is not possible without a collaborating physician and a Texas DPS number first. So my questions:

1. Do most of you have a DEA# and a collaborating physician prior to having your first job? 2. Does the DEA# change if you change collaborating physicians?

3. I ask that b/c what good is the number/process if it was obtained under a physician in which you don't even collaborate with any longer?

4. Is the collaborating physician usually an employer/employee of the facility you go to work for or can it be totally unrelated?

5. Did anyone get/pay a collaborating physician first just to get the number out of the way with no intention of keeping them once employed? Is there a resource for physicians who are willing to do that or you just got to dig them out of the ether?

I am applying to jobs without the number despite the requirement to have it. I am assuming sometimes that the person writing the ad has no clue of what it all means anyway. For example, a job ad may state, "new grads welcome and must have DEA#" in the same ad. This is a dichotomy in Texas b/c it doesn't work that way. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Psychcns]

If no one answers here, try calling the DEA or your BON or read the website and nurse practice act for direction. The BON might be able to direct you

You keep the same dea number if you change collaborating physicians. I would apply to jobs as DEa eligible. When you apply for jobs ask who will be your collaborating physician and try to meet with them. Generally a new np needs mentoring the first year so it would be good,to get someone who likes to teach.

[GoodNP]

My collaborating physician, who is also my employer, took care of my DEA license for me as a new grad.

[bklynbaby]

I got my DEA first and did not need a collaborator in order to do so. I'm in NYS so I'm assuming the rules may be different. To my knowledge my DEA number remains the same unless of course I move out of state.

I find it odd that you would need a collaborator before even starting a job since your collaborator should be a physician within the same company/hospital you are hired in.

I would go ahead and apply to those jobs anyway. Things can be clarified when they interview you.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

I was hired before I was licensed, and my employer payed for my DEA and provided my back up physician (although my state doesn't require supervision, it's still pretty routine, and in my situation having a back up MD allows me to hang on to patients who might otherwise need to be referred out.)

eta- I was not asked to provide a back up MD when I applied for my DEA number. That is a state issue, not a federal one.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

My employer paid for my dea.... Also a collaborating physician is suppose to be someone you have easy access to so also usually provided by your employer

[TammyG]

1. Do most of you have a DEA# and a collaborating physician prior to having your first job?

You need to give the DEA your office address in order to get the number, so I would imagine you would need to wait until you have a job. I suppose you could get it with your home address, and then change the address once you have a job. In my case, I waited until I had the job and then applied. Most employers will pay the $750 most new grads wait to be hired. I do not think you need to specify a collaborating physician but I can't remember.

2. Does the DEA# change if you change collaborating physicians?

No, it does not change if you change employers or collaborating physicians. It might change if you leave the state, not sure.

3. I ask that b/c what good is the number/process if it was obtained under a physician in which you don't even collaborate with any longer?

The federal DEA number is not associated with a collaborating physician, just with the dispenser, from what I remember.

4. Is the collaborating physician usually an employer/employee of the facility you go to work for or can it be totally unrelated?

Always with your employer. The last thing your employer wants is for you to call some random guy to ask questions about their patients.

5. Did anyone get/pay a collaborating physician first just to get the number out of the way with no intention of keeping them once employed? Is there a resource for physicians who are willing to do that or you just got to dig them out of the ether?

No, this would not be appropriate. If you are practicing under your own shingle, you then need to dig up your own collaborating physician but only then.

**********

When I changed jobs, I just got online and put in my new employer. There was no cost and it was a simple process.

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

DEA is federal. You can get one without a collaborating physicians.

[Txaprn]

Right now in Texas you have to get a state DPS number and then apply for the DEA number. You will apply for these after you are employed and have a collaborating physician. Employers also usually pay the fee. I think the requirement for getting the DPS number is changing soon though.

[echohills79]

@OP

I know this is an older thread, and I don't know how often you are still on here, but I'm another Chiro pursuing an RN degree, and considering a NP down the road as well. I'd like to pick your brain about some of your experiences if you ever have a few moments. I guess I can't send messages on this site yet, but you can reach me at [email protected].

thanks!

[Cwoods]

@OP

I'm another Chiro pursuing an RN degree, and considering a NP down the road as well.

Just curious, what makes you want to pursue nursing?

[OllieW, DNP, PhD, NP]

In my state I had my DEA before I even had a job.