SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1530

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Brooks, Braddock, Brough, Cantwell, Sprenkle, Spanel, Wineberry, Day and Miller)

Certifying and registering nursing assistants.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chairman; Kreidler, Niemi, West, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  February 25, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Nursing assistants are health care workers employed in the nursing home setting who work under the direction and supervision of licensed nurses.  They are required to complete a training program approved by the State Board of Nursing within six months of employment.  The minimum curriculum consists of 25 classroom hours and 50 hours of supervised on-the-job clinical practice.

Nursing assistants are not included under the Uniform Disciplinary Act for the health professions.

There is evidence of a critical turnover of nursing assistants in nursing homes statewide, as high as 300 percent, as well as a growing shortage of nurses generally, especially in long-term care.

SUMMARY:

Nursing assistants are required to register with the Department of Licensing in order to practice and use the title "nursing assistant-registered".  Those wishing to meet higher academic qualifications may elect to become certified and may use the title "nursing assistant- certified."  The Board of Nursing shall consult with the Board of Practical Nursing to develop academic qualifications.  The board may define by rule the scope of practice.

Exemptions from registration include other practitioners credentialed by the state, employees of the federal government and regularly enrolled students.

The licensing director has authority to register and certify applicants, set fees, act as the disciplinary authority under the Uniform Disciplinary Act, keep official records of all proceedings, and appoint an advisory committee to the department and board.

The board has authority to determine minimum educational requirements, administer certification examinations, determine an applicant's eligibility to take the examination for certification, and adopt rules for continuing competency.

The director will issue a registration to applicants who submit proof of the identity, address, and other background information.  After January 1, 1989, the director will issue a certificate to any person who has completed a board-approved educational program, passed the required examination, and met any of the board-approved experience requirements.  The board must establish by rule the standards for approving and revoking approval of educational programs.

The director may waive the examination for applicants who apply within one year and who possess commonly accepted standards of education and experience.  The director may certify applicants from other states without examination by endorsement who are credentialed under standards substantially equivalent.

The director shall establish by rule procedural requirements for renewal of registration and certification.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

The intent language is changed to clarify that nursing assistants should have a system of educational and experiential requirements leading to career mobility and advancement.  The implementation date of the nursing assistant certification program is delayed for one year.  The Board of Nursing is directed to report by January 1, 1989 on the development of educational standards for certifying nursing assistants.  The remaining portions of the bill remain unchanged.

Appropriation:    $100,000 to the Department of Licensing.

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested January 28, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Peter Brooks, prime sponsor (for); Glen Hudson, WHCA (for); Susan Johnson, SEIV (for); Robert Ball, WSNA (for)