PATIENT CARE SERVICES (PCS) CREDENTIALING FOR UWMC AND/OR SCCA
Welcome to the UWMC PCS Credentialing Process
This credentialing prhocess ensures that individuals who interact with patients at UWMC or SCCA are appropriately licensed, registered, certified, competent to practice in their proposed role, and have current immunizations/immunities to ensure the safety of the patients. Privileges are typically granted for 2 years. PCS credentialed individuals may be protected in the event of an adverse outcome.
This process requires input from you and your employer about your proposed role, professional liability coverage, competency, immunization history, conviction/criminal history, ID check, and HIPAA training.
DETERMINING WHETHER YOU NEED TO CREDENTIAL WITH PCS:
Physician, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant
For CLINICAL PURPOSES you are NOT REQUIRED to credential with PCS. Instead please contact the Office of Medical Staff Appointments (OMSA) at 206-543-1002 or OMSA@u.washington.edu.
For CLINICAL FACULTY PURPOSES see Teaching below.
Research or Clinical Care
You are NOT a Physician, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant (see above) and you fall into one of these 2 categories:
- Employer is UWMC (08 budget) or SCCA
You will be conducting research or clinical care with UWMC or SCCA patients which falls outside of your normal job description.
- Other employer (i.e. UW Medicine, UW School of Nursing, or an outside employer such as Group Health, Puget Sound Blood Center, Pacific Northwest Research Institute)
You will be conducting research or clinical care with UWMC or SCCA patients and your role will bring you on site to UWMC or SCCA.
Teaching
You will be clinical faculty for a group of students at UWMC or SCCA and you fall into one of these 2 categories:
- Employer is UWMC (08 budget) or SCCA
You will be conducting clinical care with UWMC or SCCA patients which falls outside of your normal job description.
- Other employer (i.e. UW School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle University, Shoreline Community College)
You will be conducting clinical care with UWMC or SCCA patients and your role will bring you on site to UWMC or SCCA.
Job Shadow
You will be engaged in observational activities only while being directly supervised by a UWMC staff sponsor.
- This is a minimal process of screening versus a full PCS credentialing application. A job shadow typically DOES NOT EXCEED 3 VISITS. Under certain circumstances an application might be approved for up to 1 month. A job shadow of more than 1 month requires a full credential.
Access to Electronic Medical Records
If you will NOT BE ON SITE at UWMC or SCCA but need to obtain access to electronic medical records for clinical or research purposes YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CREDENTIAL WITH PCS. For access please contact:
APPLICATION SECTION (Select One of the Following):
JOB SHADOW APPLICATION
You are applying for observation only and you have a UWMC staff sponsor. Please submit the following in hard-copy format to the PCS Credentialing Coordinator:
FULL CREDENTIALING NEW APPLICATION (click here for helpful checklist)
You are applying for the first time with PCS. The following are submitted online. Please print out the final page with your confirmation code to include in your application:
Please submit the following in hard-copy format:
- Current Curriculum Vitae or resume.
- UWMC Confidentiality Agreement and/or SCCA Confidentiality Pledge
- A statement of current immunization including:
- Proof of a non-reactive TB skin test within the last year. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO TAKE A SKIN TEST then a chest x-ray and/or a TB Symptom Checklist must be submitted.
- Proof of current immunity for Hep B. Documentation of immunization for Hep B does not prove immunity. Only a titer with a Positive result is proof. You may be asked to sign a Hep B Waiver.
- 2 vaccines (doses) or proof of immunity for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella).
- Vaccination or history of the disease (immunity) for Varicella.
- Employer Certification filled out by your employer.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training. Policy requires training specific to UWMC/SCCA and submittal of hard-copy proof documenting training completion. Training can be arranged by the PCS Credentialing Coordinator.
- Integrity at Work. This is a reference pamphlet regarding UWMC’s ethics, standards and compliance. You must read the pamphlet, complete and return the attestation page.
- UW Conviction/Criminal History Information
- Washington State Patrol. Leave Sections A and B blank. Fill out Section C completely. Section D sign “Applicant’s Signature” (REQUIRED or UWMC Human Resources will not process the background check) and fill out “Applicant’s Name”, “Address”, “City/State/Zip”. Leave the rest blank.
- Verified copy of your state’s Drivers License. Acceptable verification:
- Appearing personally before the PCS Credentialing Coordinator.
- Having your employer (same as on Employer Certification) print the word “Verified” and date, print name and sign name on the copy.
- At SCCA appearing personally before Genevieve Johnson, 206-288-2264, gjohnson@seattlecca.org
- Current licensure or certificate for the State of Washington. A print out verifying a current license from the Washington State Department of Health website is acceptable. https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/
Upon receipt of the materials and review by the PCS Credentialing Coordinator, you will be informed of any missing documents or additional requirements for your proposed role. Completed applications are then submitted to the Credentialing Committee for approval.
Access to Electronic Medical Records
If you need to obtain access to electronic medical records as part of your role description please contact:
FULL CREDENTIALING RENEWAL APPLICATION (click here for helpful checklist)
Your credentialing has expired and needs to be renewed. Please complete the following to document changes in your personal or professional information, role description, and to confirm current TB status. All renewal applications must be reviewed and approved by the Credentialing Committee.
Please submit the following in hard-copy format:
The following are submitted online. Please print out the final page with your confirmation code to include in your application:
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER APPROVAL?
Job Shadow
Sponsor Notification, Temporary Badge, Parking
You and your UWMC staff sponsor will be notified of approval. Your sponsor will direct you regarding the badge, etc.
Full Credential
Nurse Manager Notification, Photo Identification, Parking
You will receive an approval letter via email and the nurse managers on the designated units/areas will be notified. You are required to obtain a UWMC photo identification badge (instructions are included in your approval letter). You must wear your photo ID badge at all times when in the UWMC.
Parking is available in lot E12 (adjacent to Husky Stadium). Go to the UW Commuter Services link at http://www.washington.edu/commuterservices/parking/
Parking arrangements may be available and should be negotiated with the unit/area with which you will be working.
Other useful links:
Information About Your Health Care. This brochure is being provided for information only and should not be distributed to patients in this format.
Dress Code
Required Updates
You are responsible for compliance. Expiration will result in privileges being revoked.
- Current licensure (if needed for your position).
Please go to the Washington State Department of Health website https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/SearchCriteria.aspx
Send confirmation to the PCS Credentialing Coordinator.
- Annual TB test or the equivalent. Send confirmation to the PCS Credentialing Coordinator.
Expiration of Privileges
In most cases privileges are granted for 2 years. Credentialing expires automatically if you leave your current position without informing the PCS Credentialing Coordinator.
Renewal
As a courtesy the PCS Credentialing Coordinator will attempt to send out an expiration notice. DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS HANDLED it is ultimately your responsibility to contact the Credentialing Coordinator regarding renewal and to submit the materials in a timely manner.
If you need continued access to electronic medical records you must contact the UWMC and/or SCCA offices directly prior to expiration (see Access to Electronic Medical Records above for contact information). THEY DO NOT SEND OUT A NOTICE OF EXPIRATION BEFORE CUTTING OFF ACCESS.
UWMC PCS CREDENTIALING COORDINATOR
Vicki Galasso
Patient Care Services Administration
206-598-6810, Fax 206-598-6576
galassov@u.washington.edu
University of Washington Medical Center
Box 356153
1959 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98195-6153
Revision 10/2008