(1)(a) Where a worker is entitled to compensation under this title he or she shall file with the department or his or her self-insured employer, as the case may be, his or her application for such, together with the certificate of the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractor, naturopath, podiatric physician, optometrist, dentist, licensed *advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or psychologist in claims solely for mental health conditions, who attended him or her. An application form developed by the department shall include a notice specifying the worker's right to receive health services from a provider of the worker's choice under RCW 51.36.010(2)(a), and listing the types of providers authorized to provide these services.
(b) The physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractor, naturopath, podiatric physician, optometrist, dentist, licensed *advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or psychologist in claims solely for mental health conditions, who attended the injured worker shall inform the injured worker of his or her rights under this title and lend all necessary assistance in making this application for compensation and such proof of other matters as required by the rules of the department without charge to the worker. The department shall provide a manual which outlines the procedures to be followed in applications for compensation involving occupational diseases, and which describes claimants' rights and responsibilities related to occupational disease claims.
(2) If the application required by this section is:
(a) Made to the department and the employer has not received a copy of the application, the department shall immediately send a copy of the application to the employer; or
(b) Made to a self-insured employer, the employer shall forthwith send a copy of the application to the department.
(3) The application required by this section may be transmitted to the department electronically.