Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-841 WAC, proposing to create new sections to establish requirements for an optional medication assistant endorsement for Nursing assistants -- Certified working in nursing homes.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: ESHB 2473 (chapter 208, Laws of 2012) and RCW 18.88A.060.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESHB 2473, chapter 208, Laws of 2012, created a new medication assistant endorsement option for nursing assistants-certified working in nursing homes. The legislation requires the nursing care quality assurance commission (NCQAC) to establish requirements for the endorsement, including minimum work experience, education, training, examination and continuing competency. Rules are needed to define the tasks that can be performed, including simple prescriber-ordered treatments, and primary responsibilities of the nursing assistant with an endorsement.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: NCQAC will coordinate with the department of social and health services (DSHS). DSHS regulates nursing homes.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties may participate in rules writing workshops and sign up for notices on the nursing commission's listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=NURSING-QAC or contact Terry J. West, Department of Health, Nursing Commission, P.O. Box 14127 [47864], Olympia, WA 98504, or nursing@doh.wa.gov or (360) 236-4712. Rules writing workshops will be scheduled through the use of video conferencing at multiple sites or the use of webinars for greater public participation.

September 24, 2012

Paula R. Meyer, MSN, RN

Executive Director