PDFWAC 388-97-1660
Staff and equipment.
(1) The nursing home must ensure that:
(a) Sufficient numbers of appropriately qualified and trained staff are available to provide necessary care and services safely under routine conditions, as well as fire, emergency, and disaster situations;
(b) Adequate equipment, supplies and space are available to carry out all functions and responsibilities of the nursing home;
(c) All staff, including management, provide care and services consistent with:
(i) Empowering each resident to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being, self-care and independence;
(ii) Respecting resident rights; and
(iii) Enhancing each resident's quality of life.
(2) The nursing home must ensure that any employee giving direct resident care, excluding professionally licensed nursing staff:
(a) Has successfully completed or is a student in a DSHS-approved nursing assistant training program; and
(b) Meets other requirements applicable to individuals performing nursing related duties in a nursing home, including those which apply to minors.
(3) The nursing home must ensure:
(a) Students in an DSHS-approved nursing assistant training program:
(i) Complete training and competency evaluation within four months of beginning work as a nursing assistant;
(ii) Complete at least sixteen hours of training in communication and interpersonal skills, infection control, safety/emergency procedures including the Heimlich maneuver, promoting residents' independence, and respecting residents' rights before any direct contact with a resident; and
(iii) Wear name tags which clearly identify student or trainee status at all times in all interactions with residents and visitors in all nursing homes, including the nursing homes in which the student completes clinical training requirements and in which the student is employed.
(b) Residents and visitors have sufficient information to distinguish between the varying qualifications of nursing assistants; and
(c) Each employee hired as a nursing assistant applies for registration with the department of health within three days of employment in accordance with chapter 18.88A RCW.