Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Department" means the department of social and health services and the department's employees.

(2) "Direct care staff" means the staffing domain identified and defined in the center[s] for medicare and medicaid services' five-star quality rating system and as reported through the center[s] for medicare and medicaid services' payroll-based journal. For purposes of calculating hours per resident day minimum staffing standards for facilities with sixty-one or more licensed beds, the director of nursing services classification (job title code five), as identified in the centers for medicare and medicaid services' payroll-based journal, shall not be used. For facilities with sixty or fewer beds the director of nursing services classification (job title code five) shall be included in calculating hours per resident day minimum staffing standards.

(3) "Facility" refers to a nursing home as defined in RCW 18.51.010.

(4) "Geriatric behavioral health worker" means a person with a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, behavioral health, or other related areas, or a person who has received specialized training devoted to mental illness and treatment of older adults.

(5) "Licensed practical nurse" means a person licensed to practice practical nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW.

(6) "Medicaid" means Title XIX of the Social Security Act enacted by the social security amendments of 1965 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396; 79 Stat. 343), as amended.

(7) "Nurse practitioner" means a person licensed to practice *advanced registered nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW.

(8) "Nursing care" means that care provided by a registered nurse, an **advanced registered nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse, or a nursing assistant in the regular performance of their duties.

(9) "Physician" means a person practicing pursuant to chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW, including, but not limited to, a physician employed by the facility as provided in chapter 18.51 RCW.

(10) "Physician assistant" means a person practicing pursuant to chapter 18.71A RCW.

(11) "Qualified therapist" means:

(a) An activities specialist who has specialized education, training, or experience specified by the department.

(b) An audiologist who is eligible for a certificate of clinical competence in audiology or who has the equivalent education and clinical experience.

(c) A mental health professional as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW.

(d) An intellectual disabilities professional who is a qualified therapist or a therapist approved by the department and has specialized training or one year experience in treating or working with persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

(e) An occupational therapist who is a graduate of a program in occupational therapy or who has equivalent education or training.

(f) A physical therapist as defined in chapter 18.74 RCW.

(g) A social worker as defined in RCW 18.320.010(2).

(h) A speech pathologist who is eligible for a certificate of clinical competence in speech pathology or who has equivalent education and clinical experience.

(12) "Registered nurse" means a person licensed to practice registered nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW.

(13) "Resident" means an individual residing in a nursing home, as defined in RCW 18.51.010.

Reviser's note: *(1) The term "advanced registered nursing practice" was changed to "advanced practice registered nursing" by 2024 c 239 s 3, effective June 30, 2027.

**(2) The term "advanced registered nurse practitioner" was changed to "advanced practice registered nurse" by 2024 c 239 s 1, effective June 30, 2027.

Effective date—2020 c 80 ss 12-59: See note following RCW 7.68.030.

Intent—2020 c 80: See note following RCW 18.71A.010.

Effective date—2011 c 89: See note following RCW 18.320.005.

Findings—2011 c 89: See RCW 18.320.005.

Purpose—2010 c 94: See note following RCW 44.04.280.

Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.

Section captions—Severability—Effective date—1993 c 508: See RCW 74.39A.900 through 74.39A.903.