The department shall establish or contract for a health professional temporary substitute resource pool. The purpose of the pool is to provide short-term physician, physician assistant, pharmacist, and advanced practice registered nurse personnel to rural communities where these health care providers:
(1) Are unavailable due to provider shortages;
(2) Need time off from practice to attend continuing education and other training programs; and
(3) Need time off from practice to attend to personal matters or recover from illness.
The health professional temporary substitute resource pool is intended to provide short-term assistance and should complement active health provider recruitment efforts by rural communities where shortages exist.
Notes:
Effective date—2025 c 58 ss 5058-5170: See note following RCW 7.68.030.
Explanatory note—2025 c 58: See note following RCW 1.16.050.