WSR 98-01-160

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Board of Nursing Home Administrators)

[Filed December 22, 1997, 3:57 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-843-125 Continuing education credit for preceptors for administrators-in-training programs, 246-843-130 Courses of study, 246-843-150 Continuing education requirements to meet the conditions of reregistration for license, and 246-843-155 Certification of compliance.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.52.061.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Licensees have expressed difficulties with expense of obtaining continuing education and the time needed to keep track of courses. The Board of Nursing Home Administrators has authority to define continuing education requirements and the board's current rules should be reviewed to determine the desired approach to continuing competency.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of Health has authority to promulgate rules to ensure consistent administrative procedures for licensure of health care practitioners credentialed under the Uniform Disciplinary Act. Department of Health rules will determine due dates for continuing education reporting.

Process for Developing New Rule: Development of rules will include public meetings with constituency groups, citizens who are likely users of nursing home facilities, and other state agencies. Mailings will go to interested persons on the mailing list, licensed nursing home administrators and candidates for nursing home administrator license. Development of rules will include public input gathered from interested parties who attend meetings or submit written comments.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Barbara A. Hayes, Program Manager, Board of Nursing Home Administrators, P.O. Box 47869, Olympia, WA 98504-7869, (360) 664-3245, FAX (360) 664-0412. Public meeting on February 18, 1998, 9 a.m.-noon, Wesley Gardens Board Room, First Floor, 815 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA.

December 10, 1997

Barbara A. Hayes