The nursing technician is authorized only to perform specific nursing functions within the limits of their education, up to their skills and knowledge, as verified by their nursing program. The nursing technician:
(1) May function only under the direct supervision of a registered nurse who has agreed to act as supervisor and is immediately available.
(2) May gather information about patients and administer care to patients.
(3) May not assume ongoing responsibility for assessments, planning, implementation, or evaluation of the care of patients. The nursing technician may participate in all aspects of the nursing care process under the guidance of the registered nurse and within the scope of the nursing technician's education.
(4) May never function independently, act as a supervisor, or delegate tasks to licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, or unlicensed personnel.
(5) May not administer chemotherapy, blood or blood products, intravenous medications, scheduled drugs, nor carry out procedures on central lines.
(6) May not perform any task or function that does not appear on the verification sent to the nursing technician's employer by the nursing program in which the nursing technician is enrolled. This document verifies that the nursing technician has demonstrated the ability and is safe to perform these tasks and functions. If the nursing technician is requested to perform any task not verified by the nursing program, the nursing technician must inform their supervisor that the task or function is not within their scope and must not perform the task.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter
18.79 RCW and 2003 c 258. WSR 04-13-053, § 246-840-870, filed 6/11/04, effective 6/11/04. Statutory Authority: Chapter
18.79 RCW. WSR 97-13-100, § 246-840-870, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.]