WSR 15-05-053 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (Board of Optometry) [Filed February 13, 2015, 10:00 a.m., effective March 16, 2015] Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: WAC 246-851-235 Credits for cultural competency in clinical care, the new rule provides licensed optometrists optional credit for educational courses which increase cultural competency in health care. The rule addresses the increasing demand for health care practitioners to provide effective care for patients of diverse cultural and social origins. The rule does not change the continuing education credit requirements for optometrists.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.54.070.
Other Authority: RCW 43.70.615.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 14-18-041 on August 27, 2014.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: February 12, 2015.
Christopher Barry, OD
Chair, Board of Optometry
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-851-235 Credits for cultural competency in clinical care.
(1) This section addresses the increasing demand for health care practitioners to provide effective care for patients of diverse cultural and social origins. All optometrists are encouraged to increase their knowledge and practice skills to provide effective care to all patients regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or primary language.
(2) Continuing education credit will be granted for courses or materials related to the awareness of health disparities among different populations and the ability to effectively provide health services in cross cultural situations.
(3) No more than two credit hours will be granted under this section to any licensee in any two-year reporting period.
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