Nursing Commission – NAR, LTC Worker, Healthcare Licensing Updates

Nursing Commission – NAR, LTC Worker, Healthcare Licensing Updates

NAR Four-Month Rule Proclamation

The legislature has approved an extension for the governor’s proclamation suspending certification requirements in nursing homes. The proclamation, which you can find here, is effective until the termination of the COVID-19 state of emergency pursuant to RCW 43.06.210, or until rescinded; whichever occurs first. This means that a nursing assistant-registered can work in a nursing home past 120 days before obtaining a nursing assistant-certified credential. 

Long-term care worker rules proclamation

The legislature has approved an extension for the governor’s proclamation suspending certification requirements in community-based settings (adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and home care agencies). The proclamation, which you can find here, is effective until the termination of the COVID-19 state of emergency pursuant to RCW 43.06.210, or until rescinded; whichever occurs first. This means that a caregiver can work in a community-based setting past 200 days before obtaining a nursing assistant-certified or a certified home care aide credential. 

Healthcare worker licensing proclamation

The legislature has approved an extension for the governor’s proclamation removing certain barriers for licensure. The proclamation, which you can find here, is effective until the termination of the COVID-19 state of emergency pursuant to RCW 43.06.210, or until rescinded; whichever occurs first. Below is a summary of what the waivers pertaining to nursing assistants do.

Barriers to continued and uninterrupted healthcare practice, including continuing education and other training requirements and license renewal deadlines

Licensed health profession rules requiring continuing education (CE), AIDS education, and training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management are waived. This includes the 8 hours of CE required to maintain the medication assistant endorsement and the requirement to demonstrate clinical skills to an instructor in a practice setting in nursing assistant training programs.

Barriers to the practice of health care provider volunteers

The requirement to verify that an NA has completed basic caregiver training and core delegation training before delegation, and the Washington state nursing care quality assurance commission community-based and in-home care setting delegation decision tree are waived.

Barriers to long-expired credential reissuance

The requirement to retake nursing assistant or nursing training and pass the competency examination prior to reissuance when a nursing assistant-certified credential has been expired for over three years is waived.  

The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving. You can monitor the following sources for updates:  

 

Questions?

Contact;

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804

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