PERMANENT RULES
Effective Date of Rule: December 1, 2007.
Purpose: The proposed rules create a retired volunteer medical worker license classification; set conditions limiting when licensees may practice under this license; set requirements to obtain and renew the license; and establish continuing competency requirements.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-12-010.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.130.050 and 18.130.360.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 07-14-129 on July 3, 2007, and WSR 07-14-158 on July 5, 2007.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Susan Gragg, Program Manager, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone (360) 236-4941, fax (360) 236-2406, e-mail susan.gragg@doh.wa.gov.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 6, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 6, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: October 23, 2007.
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary
OTS-9665.6
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-05-060, filed 2/13/98,
effective 3/16/98)
WAC 246-12-010
Definitions.
(1) "Business": A business
is an adult family home provider owned by a corporation
regulated under chapter 18.48 RCW; a pharmaceutical firm
regulated under chapter 18.64 RCW; or a nursing pool regulated
under chapter 18.52C RCW; or a health care assistant regulated
under chapter 18.135 RCW.
(2) "Credential": A credential is a license, certification, or registration issued to a person to practice a regulated health care profession. Whether the credential is a license, certification or registration is determined by the law regulating the profession.
(3) "Declaration": A declaration is a statement signed by the practitioner on a form provided by the department of health for verifying continuing education, AIDS training, or other requirements. When required, declarations must be completed and signed to be effective verification to the department.
(4) "Disciplinary suspension": The regulatory entity places the credential in disciplinary suspension status when there is a finding of unprofessional conduct. Refer to the Uniform Disciplinary Act (RCW 18.130.160).
(5) "Local organization for emergency services or management": Has the same meaning as that found in RCW 38.52.010.
(6) "Mandated suspension": The department of health places the credential in mandated suspension status when a law requires suspension of a credential under certain circumstances. This suspension is nondiscretionary for the department of health. Examples of mandated suspension are default on a student loan and failure to pay child support. The practitioner may not practice while on mandated suspension. The credential must be returned to active status before the practitioner may practice. See Part 6 of this chapter.
(((6))) (7) "Practitioner": A practitioner is an
individual health care provider listed under the Uniform
Disciplinary Act, RCW 18.130.040.
(((7))) (8) "Regulatory entities": A "regulatory entity"
is a board, commission, or the secretary of the department of
health designated as the authority to regulate one or more
professions or occupations in this state. Practitioner health
care practice acts and the Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA)
designate whether it is a board, commission, or the secretary
of the department of health which has the authority to adopt
rules, discipline health care providers, and determine
requirements for initial licensure and continuing education
requirements.
The regulatory entity determines whether disciplinary action should be taken on a credential for unprofessional conduct. These actions may include revocation, suspension, practice limitations or conditions upon the practitioner.
(((8))) (9) "Renewal": Every credential requires
renewal. The renewal cycle is either one ((year or)), two, or
three years, depending on the profession.
(((9))) (10) "Secretary": The secretary is the secretary
of the department of health or his or her designee.
(((10))) (11) "Status": All credentials are subject to
the Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA) regardless of status. A
credential status may be in any one of the following:
(a) Most credentials are in "active" status. These practitioners are authorized to practice the profession. These practitioners need to renew the credential each renewal cycle. See Part 2 of this chapter.
(b) The department of health places the credential in "expired" status if the credential is not renewed on time. While in expired status, the practitioner is not authorized to practice. Practice on an expired status is a violation of law and subject to disciplinary action. See Part 2 of this chapter.
(c) A practitioner may place the credential in "inactive" status if authorized by the regulatory entity. This means the practitioner is not practicing the profession. See Part 4 of this chapter.
(d) A practitioner may place the credential in "retired active" status if authorized by the regulatory entity. This means the practitioner can practice only intermittently or in emergencies. See Part 5 of this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-12-010, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98.]
PART 12RETIRED VOLUNTEER MEDICAL WORKERS
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-12-400
Who qualifies for an initial retired
volunteer medical worker license?
(1) To be eligible for a
retired volunteer medical worker license, a person must:
(a) Have held a license issued by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.040 that was in active status within the ten years prior to an initial application for a retired volunteer medical worker license;
(b) Have no restrictions on their ability to obtain an active license; and
(c) Be currently registered as a volunteer emergency worker with a local organization for emergency services or management.
(2) A person is not eligible for a retired volunteer medical worker license if they hold any current license issued by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.040.
[]
(a) Meet the requirements in WAC 246-12-400;
(b) Submit an application on forms approved by the secretary; and
(c) Submit proof of current registration as a volunteer emergency worker with a local organization for emergency services or management.
(2) There is no application fee.
(3) The retired volunteer medical worker's initial license expires on the person's third birthday after issuance and may be renewed as provided in WAC 246-12-430.
[]
(a) There is a declared emergency, disaster, or authorized training event that has been given a mission number by the department of emergency management; and
(b) The local organization for emergency services or management, or designee, has activated the retired volunteer medical worker.
(2) A retired volunteer medical worker can only:
(a) Work the duties assigned;
(b) Work up to, but not exceed the scope of practice under their prior active license; and
(c) Work under an assigned supervisor.
(3) A health care facility is not obligated to use any retired volunteer medical worker.
[]
(a) Submit a written declaration stating you have met the continuing competency requirements defined in WAC 246-12-440; and
(b) Submit proof of current registration as a volunteer with a local organization for emergency services or management.
(2) There is no renewal fee.
(3) A retired volunteer medical worker license must be renewed every three years.
(4) Prior to the expiration date, courtesy renewal notices are mailed to the address on file. Practitioners should return the renewal notice when renewing their license. Failure to receive a courtesy renewal notice does not relieve or exempt the retired volunteer medical worker license renewal requirement.
[]
(a) Basic first-aid course;
(b) Bloodborne pathogens course; and
(c) CPR course.
(2) A retired volunteer medical worker must submit a signed declaration to verify they meet the continuing competency education requirements.
(3) Local organizations for emergency services or management that register retired volunteer medical workers may require additional training, such as incident command system (ICS) or national incident management system (NIMS).
[]
[]