FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2788

                          C 85 L 98

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Training nursing assistants.

Sponsors:  Representatives Backlund, Cody, Dyer and Kenney.

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required by law to implement a long-term care training program for caregivers that consists of a fundamental teaching module and a range of other modules to meet resident care needs.  These other modules may include specific training on the special care needs of persons with development disabilities, dementia, mental illness, and the care needs of the elderly.  The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission works with the department in developing the modules.  DSHS caregivers are not required to complete a nursing assistant training program, but some may apply to the commission for certification as a nursing assistant.  The stated intent of the law is to have curriculum modules recognized by the commission hour for hour towards meeting the requirements for a nursing assistant certificate.

Summary:  The Department of Social and Health Services and the Nursing Quality Assurance Commission are required jointly to develop an implementation plan by December 12, 1998, for transferring credit for verifiable skills and competencies obtained through the DSHS caregiver training program towards certification of nursing assistants by the commission.  The commission must direct the nursing assistant training programs to accept some or all of the skills and competencies from the DSHS curriculum modules towards meeting the requirements for a nursing assistant certificate.  The recognition of the curriculum on an hour for hour basis is no longer a requirement, but transferable skills and competencies may be verified through the development of a testing process.

Votes on Final Passage:

House960

Senate480

Effective:June 11, 1998