To qualify as a nursing assistant training program for initial and ongoing approval, an applicant must:

(1) Attend an online orientation provided by the commission prior to submission of an application;

(2) Submit a completed application packet provided by the commission. The completed packet will reflect how the training program will meet program standards on an ongoing basis. The packet will include forms and instructions for submitting required materials which include, but are not limited to:

(a) Owner identification and contact information, business name, and physical address;

(b) Documentation demonstrating the program director and instructor(s) meet all qualifying criteria as stated in WAC 246-841A-430. Required documentation includes:

(i) Verification that the program director and instructor(s) have successfully completed a course in adult instruction as required by WAC 246-841A-430 (2)(a) or have demonstrated one year of experience teaching adults.

(ii) Verification that the program director and instructor(s) who teach the specialty class units (mental health, dementia, and developmental disabilities) have successfully completed coursework in the subjects prior to instructing students as required by WAC 246-841A-430 (6)(g);

(c) Contractual agreements related to providing training. For any program that uses another facility to provide clinical training, contractual agreements include an affiliation agreement between the training program and the facility. The affiliation agreement must describe how the program will provide clinical experience in the facility, making it clear that students will be supervised at all times, taught, and evaluated by an approved instructor who meets the requirements under this chapter. The agreement must specify the rights and responsibilities of both parties, students, and clients or residents;

(d) A student enrollment agreement that the training program will provide to each student for review, discussion, and signature prior to beginning the course. The training program retains a signed copy in each student's file. The student agreement must include:

(i) A statement that specifies the student's rights and responsibilities, including those listed in the clinical affiliation agreement;

(ii) A general description of the program and the program components (classroom, skills lab, and clinical), including the number of hours and length of time required to complete the program;

(iii) The program's policies relevant to students, including all criteria required to pass the course and criteria that may be cause for immediate dismissal or failure;

(iv) A statement that the student has received the class schedule and access to common curriculum materials for students as provided by the commission;

(v) The following statement regarding the right to file a complaint with the commission with concerns about the training program: "Student complaints about this nursing assistant training program can be filed with the nursing care quality assurance commission." The current web page link for filing a complaint must be included with the statement;

(e) An implementation plan for teaching the common curriculum using a format and instructions provided by the commission. Implementation information must include:

(i) The outline of materials for assigned study for each unit, including text readings, videos, and other resources. The main text resource must have a publication date within the last five years;

(ii) Presentations and active discussion of content;

(iii) A variety of activities to reinforce and apply knowledge and concepts, including activities provided in the common curriculum;

(iv) Skills practice to integrate theory with skills, including use of skills checklists which match the state exam;

(v) Plans for evaluation to measure student learning and competency; and

(vi) Plans for conducting and supervising clinical experiences;

(f) A description of classroom and skills lab facilities with photographs demonstrating adequate space, equipment, and supplies available to provide the training program in accordance with this chapter;

(g) Verification that the nursing assistant training program or school is approved to operate in the state of Washington by:

(i) The state board for community and technical colleges for college programs;

(ii) The superintendent of public instruction for high schools and skills center programs;

(iii) The workforce training and education coordinating board for private vocational schools; or

(iv) The department of social and health services for nursing home programs. For purposes of this chapter: Lack of a department of social and health services sanction signifies department of social and health services approval; a current sanction with no department of social and health services waiver to conduct training signifies nonapproval;

(h) A declaration of compliance with all program standards signed by:

(i) Program owner or administrator; and

(ii) Program director, if different from owner or administrator;

(3) Submit all application items in one submission and respond to requests for more information or clarification regarding the program's application submission. Failure to submit a completed application packet or respond to request for more information or clarification within 90 days may result in closure of the application;

(4) Agree to in-person or online site visits by the commission on request or, when applicable per WAC 246-841A-465(2) and 246-841A-470 (2)(c)(v), unannounced site visits by the commission. Examples of activities a site visit may include are:

(a) Observation of classroom, skills lab, and clinical teaching;

(b) A review of the program facilities, equipment, supplies, documentation, and files related to the program with the potential need to make copies or take photos of them;

(c) Access to student names and contact information;

(d) Interviews with the program owner(s), program director, instructor(s), other support staff, clinical site personnel, and students;

(e) A review of facilities, equipment, supplies, and staff at clinical affiliation sites;

(5) Comply with all program standards;

(6) For each class taught, implement the common curriculum as developed and described in materials provided by the commission;

(7) Submit all program change requests on forms provided by the commission and receive approval prior to implementation of the change. Notify other approving agencies of changes prior to implementing the change(s). Program changes include, but are not limited to:

(a) Program owner(s);

(b) Program director;

(c) Instructor(s);

(d) Program location;

(e) Program curriculum plan as approved;

(f) Program curriculum hours; and

(g) Program schedule pattern;

(8) Comply with changes in program standards;

(9) Participate in and complete the program renewal process every two years. Failure to renew by the designated deadline results in lapse of approval.