WSR 15-09-087

EXPEDITED RULES

[Filed April 17, 2015, 9:58 a.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-841-535 Alternative programs—Definitions, amending the definition of medical assistant-certified used by the nursing commission to determine who may take the bridge program and incorporating the certifying organizations identified in the department of health definition into the rule.

NOTICE

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Carole Knutzen, Department of Health, Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, AND RECEIVED BY June 22, 2015.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The nursing care quality assurance commission (commission) adopted rules establishing requirements for alternative training programs for nationally certified medical assistants in 2012 to allow them to take a twenty-four hour course to become nursing assistants. In 2013, the department of health (department) began issuing state credentialed medical assistant credentials pursuant to chapter 18.360 RCW. The definition of nationally certified medical assistant used to determine who many [may] take the medical assistant to nursing assistant bridge program is currently more restrictive in the commission rules than the definition used to determine who [may] be a state credentialed medical assistant-certified. The commission is purposing to amend its definition to incorporate the certifying organizations identified in the department's definitions.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The commission received questions from nursing assistant training programs and individuals requesting staff to clarify WAC 246-841-535(2), because the commission rule is inconsistent with department of health rule (WAC 246-827-0200). The inconsistency prevents otherwise qualified medical assistant-certified applicants from entering into bridge programs training nursing assistants. The commission wants to create harmony between the two rules and provide clarity to the public who seek to apply the rules. Aligning the definitions in the rules accomplishes this goal, and will result in a greater number of people eligible for alternative bridge education programs, thereby enhancing career mobility. The expedited rule process is appropriate because the proposed rule adopts a rule of a Washington state agency.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.88A.087.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.88A.087.

Name of Proponent: Nursing care quality assurance commission, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Carole Knutzen, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 236-4785; and Enforcement: Mindy Schaffner, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 236-4745.

April 16, 2015

Paula R. Meyer MSN, RN, FRE

Executive Director