Washington Administrative Code

(1) Nursing assistants work in health care facilities as identified in RCW 18.88A.020. These include nursing homes, hospitals, hospice care facilities, and agencies and home health agencies.(2) In addition, nursing assistants may work for other entities delivering health care ser…

In addition to the competencies identified in WAC 246-841A-400, nursing assistants may perform additional delegated tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse in accordance with RCW 18.79.260.(1) RCW 18.79.260 addresses general requirements for registered nurse delegation …

Nursing assistants-certified with the required experience, training, and successful completion of competency evaluation as described in WAC 246-841A-586 through 246-841A-595 may apply for a medication assistant certification endorsement.This endorsement expands the scope of the n…

(1) This chapter addresses four types of nursing assistant training programs:(a) Traditional nursing assistant training programs, which provide the complete training required for competency evaluation and career entry as a nursing assistant-certified.(b) Home care aide-certified …

The commission reviews and approves nursing assistant training programs to ensure preparation for safe practice of nursing assistants by requiring nursing assistant training programs to meet minimum standards.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110, 18.79.260, 18.88A.030, 18.88A.060,…

To qualify as a nursing assistant training program for initial and ongoing approval, an applicant must:(1) Attend an online orientation provided by the commission prior to submission of an application;(2) Submit a completed application packet provided by the commission. The compl…

The commission will grant initial approval status for one year to a nursing assistant training program applicant demonstrating the ability to meet program standards.(1) The commission will monitor the nursing assistant training program for the first year and then complete a progr…

The commission will grant full approval status to initially approved nursing assistant training programs demonstrating they have consistently met program standards during the initial approval period.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110, 18.79.260, 18.88A.030, 18.88A.060, 18.88A.09…

(1) Existing nursing assistant training programs with full approval status retain full approval status on the date these rules take effect.(2) Existing nursing assistant training programs with conditional approval status retain conditional approval status on the date these rules …

(1) The program director must hold an active license in good standing as a registered nurse (RN) in the state of Washington.(a) The commission may deny or withdraw a program director's approval if there is or has been any action taken against the director which disqualifies them …

(1) Common curriculum. Approved programs must implement the common curriculum as developed and described in materials provided by the commission in accordance with the transition timelines established by the commission in (a) through (c) of this subsection. The common curriculum …

(1) Classroom, skills lab, and clinical facilities used by the program must provide adequate space, lighting, comfort, privacy, safety, and cleanliness for effective teaching and learning.(2) Adequate classroom resources, such as a white board or other writing device, audio-visua…

(1) The program must establish and maintain a file for each student enrolled and demonstrate measures for safe, secure storage of all paper and electronic files. Each student's file must include:(a) Dates of enrollment, attendance, and completion of the program, including multipl…

Students who successfully complete an approved nursing assistant training program or the equivalent in an approved nursing education program may apply to take the state certification exam (also called competency evaluation). The competency evaluation includes a knowledge exam and…

(1) To be eligible to apply for nursing assistant-certified, a traditional program or nursing education program student must:(a) Have successfully completed a Washington state-approved training program as outlined in WAC 246-841A-440 or the equivalent in an approved nursing educa…

The commission may investigate complaints of alleged deficiencies or violations relating to this chapter. The commission:(1) Will notify the program director in writing within 10 business days when a complaint investigation is opened.(a) Failure by the program director to coopera…

(1) The commission may add a corrective action designation to a training program's full approval status when deficiencies in or violations of program standards exist. Corrective action designations are organized to provide progressive steps for corrective action to meet program s…

(1) The commission may withdraw a program's approval status when any condition of the program's conditional approval status is not met or the program's deficiencies in or violations of program standards persist with implementation of corrective efforts. When a program's approval …

When a nursing assistant training program's approval has been denied or withdrawn or had its approval status changed to conditional by the commission, the program shall have the right to a hearing to appeal the commission's decision according to the provisions of: Chapters 18.88A…

When an approved program plans to close, it shall notify the commission in writing, stating the reason and the date of intended closing.(1) The program shall notify the commission in writing at least 30 days in advance and complete all current class(es) in session prior to closin…

After a program's approval is withdrawn, the program may be eligible to reapply for initial approval in accordance with certain timelines:(1) The commission will withdraw approval when the training program loses approval by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, …

Alternative training programs for home care aide-certified and medical assistant-certified recognize relevant training; provide opportunity for recruitment and career progression in nursing; and maintain a single standard for competency as a nursing assistant.(1) The alternative …

(1) A student who takes a home care aide-certified alternative program must be a home care aide-certified prior to beginning the program. Home care aide-certified means any person certified under chapter 18.88B RCW.(2) A student who takes a medical assistant-certified alternative…

The commission approves home care aide-certified alternative training programs that meet approval requirements. These programs may enroll individuals credentialed as home care aides-certified under chapter 18.88B RCW. Successful completion allows them to apply to take the state e…

The commission approves medical assistant-certified alternative training programs that meet approval requirements. These programs serve individuals credentialed as medical assistants-certified as defined in WAC 246-841A-535(2). Successful completion allows them to apply to take t…

The program director of an alternative program is responsible for:(1) Verifying home care aides-certified have an active home care aide-certified credential before admission to the alternative program.(2) Verifying medical assistants have certification before admission to the alt…

To be eligible to apply for nursing assistant certification, a graduate from an alternative program must:(1) Be currently credentialed as a home care aide-certified under chapter 18.88B RCW; or(2) Be a medical assistant-certified as defined in WAC 246-841A-535(2);(3) Have complet…

(1) An applicant for nursing assistant-certified who has successfully completed an approved alternative program as a home care aide-certified must submit to the department:(a) A completed application for nursing assistant-certified;(b) A copy of the certificate of completion from…

WAC 246-841A-589 through 246-841A-595 apply to the endorsement of a nursing assistant-certified as a medication assistant. A nursing assistant-certified with a medication assistant endorsement administers medications and commission-approved treatments to residents in nursing home…

(1) A medication assistant working in a nursing home shall only accept direction to perform medication administration and prescriber-ordered treatments from a designated registered nurse. A medication assistant may only administer medications or perform prescriber-ordered treatme…

(1) A medication assistant certification endorsement training program must:(a) Be a commission-approved nursing assistant certified training program in good standing, or a commission-approved nursing educational program in good standing; and(b) Meet the requirements for initial a…

(1) Initial applicant requirements: Applicants for an initial medication assistant endorsement must meet the following requirements:(a) Be credentialed as a nursing assistant-certified in good standing, under chapter 18.88A RCW;(b) Successfully complete a commission-approved medi…

(1) General violations of standards of practice for all nursing assistants. The following conduct may subject a nursing assistant to disciplinary action under the Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW:(a) Engaging in conduct described in RCW 18.130.180;(b) Engaging in cond…

The commission adopts the rules for mandatory reporting in chapter 246-16 WAC.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110, 18.79.260, 18.88A.030, 18.88A.060, 18.88A.090, 18.88A.082, 18.88A.087, 43.70.040, 43.70.250, and 43.70.280. WSR 23-20-117, § 246-841A-720, filed 10/3/23, effective 1…

If the certificate has been expired for three years or less, the practitioner must meet the requirements as provided in WAC 246-12-020 through 246-12-051. If the certificate has expired for over three years, the practitioner must:(1) Demonstrate competence to the standards establ…

(1) Credentials must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in WAC 246-12-020 through 246-12-051.(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged for registration credentials:Title of FeeFeeApplication - Registration$85.00Renewal of registration95.00…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:(1) "Active administrative charge" means direct participation in the operating concerns of a nursing home. Operating concerns include, but are not limited to, interaction w…

(1) An applicant for nursing home administrator licensure must submit proof of taking and passing the NAB nursing home administrator examination with a scale score of one hundred thirteen; or(2) If the applicant was licensed prior to 1986, the applicant may submit proof of taking…

(1) An applicant for licensure as a nursing home administrator shall:(a) Be at least 21 years old;(b) Submit to DOH a completed application for licensure provided by DOH that includes all information requested and payment of fees as required in WAC 246-12-020 through 246-12-051 a…

Unless exempt by WAC 246-843-093, an applicant for the original license must complete an administrator-in-training (AIT) program according to this section as part of the original licensure process. The board must approve the AIT program before the applicant may begin the training…

An applicant shall complete a one thousand five hundred hour AIT program. The program length may be reduced based on the following:(1) A one thousand hour AIT program may be granted for individuals with a minimum of:(a) Two years' experience as a department manager in a state lic…

An applicant is not required to complete an AIT program if:(1) An individual has completed a minimum of five years' experience in the last seven years with extensive supervisory and budgetary responsibility in one of the following positions or their equivalent as determined by th…

The preceptor shall submit a statement to the board describing his or her qualifications and an agreement to perform the duties of a preceptor.(1) Qualifications of preceptor:(a) The preceptor must be actively practicing as a nursing home administrator for a duration of no less t…

(1) A licensed nursing home administrator shall demonstrate completion of 36 hours of continuing education every two years and comply with WAC 246-12-170 through 246-12-240.(2) Continuing education approved by the National Continuing Education Review Service (NCERS) is acceptable…

(1) To return to active status, the nursing home administrator with an expired license shall provide the department of health an application meeting the requirements of WAC 246-12-040.(2) If the license has been expired for one year or more, the applicant must also submit proof o…

Licensed nursing home administrators must be on-site full time as defined in WAC 246-843-010 (5) and in active administrative charge of the licensed nursing home, as licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW, in which they have consented to serve as administrator.[Statutory Authority: RCW…

(1) The board may issue a license on the basis of licensure in good standing from another state to a nursing home administrator if that state requires qualifications substantially equivalent to qualifications required by RCW 18.52.071 and WAC 246-843-090. To obtain a license by e…

(1) An applicant seeking permanent licensure who satisfies all licensing requirements other than a fingerprint-based national background check may receive a temporary practice permit by satisfying requirements listed in WAC 246-12-050.(2) A temporary practice permit for interim p…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and through WAC 246-843-280 unless the context clearly requires otherwise:(1) "Health care information" means any information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium that identifies or can readily be associated…

(1) A nursing home administrator shall not engage, or attempt to engage, in sexual misconduct with a current patient, client, or key party, inside or outside the health care setting. Sexual misconduct constitutes grounds for disciplinary action. Sexual misconduct includes, but is…