Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 540 - Physician Manpower Training Commission
Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 540 – Physician Manpower Training Commission
Title 540 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) governs the operations of the Health Care Workforce Training Commission (HCWTC), formerly known as the Physician Manpower Training Commission. Established to address physician shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas, the HCWTC administers programs aimed at enhancing the state's healthcare workforce.
🧭 Mission and Responsibilities
The HCWTC's primary mission is to improve the distribution and availability of healthcare professionals across Oklahoma. Key responsibilities include:
Data Analysis: Reviewing healthcare workforce data to assess physician distribution by geographic location and specialty.
Program Administration: Establishing and managing programs that support the education, training, and placement of healthcare professionals in underserved areas.
Collaboration: Working with hospitals, clinics, and educational institutions to develop internship and residency programs that emphasize primary care specialties.
Placement Services: Assisting communities in recruiting physicians and healthcare providers to practice in rural areas.
These responsibilities are outlined in various chapters of Title 540, each focusing on specific programs and initiatives.
📘 Key Programs and Initiatives
Chapter 10 – Oklahoma Rural Medical Education Loan and Scholarship Fund
This chapter establishes a fund to provide loans and scholarships to medical students who commit to practicing in rural areas of Oklahoma. The goal is to alleviate financial barriers for students while ensuring that underserved communities have access to medical professionals.
Chapter 15 – Internship and Residency Program
This chapter outlines the administration of internship and residency programs, with a focus on primary care specialties. The HCWTC collaborates with accredited hospitals and clinical programs to provide training opportunities that prepare physicians to serve in rural and underserved areas.
Chapter 25 – Physician and Health Care Workforce Placement Services
This chapter details the HCWTC's role in assisting communities with recruiting physicians and healthcare providers. The commission maintains a list of physicians seeking practice opportunities and offers support to communities in evaluating potential candidates.
Chapter 45 – Physician Assistant Scholarship Program
This program encourages individuals to enter physician assistant education programs and to practice in rural and medically underserved areas of Oklahoma. It provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers as physician assistants, aiming to expand the healthcare workforce in underserved regions.
⚖️ Enforcement and Case Law
While specific case law directly interpreting Title 540 regulations is limited, the principles established within these rules are applied in various legal contexts, including administrative hearings and judicial reviews. For instance, the enforcement of certification standards and procedures for psychosexual evaluators and sexual offender treatment providers is subject to legal scrutiny to ensure compliance with established standards and fairness in the certification process.
🧭 Accessing Full Regulations
For a comprehensive understanding of all rules and regulations under Title 540, you can refer to the official compilation provided by the Oklahoma Secretary of State:
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