WAC 246-841A-390

The definitions in RCW 18.88A.020 and in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Asynchronous" means online learning of classroom or theory content that allows students to view and participate with online instructional materials within a flexible, but defined time period and does not include a live video lecture component.

(2) "Board" means the Washington state board of nursing.

(3) "Clinical" means students' in-facility experiences providing care in accordance with the nursing assistant scope of practice under the supervision of an approved instructor for the training program. Students who opt to complete clinical requirements through the nursing assistant-registered work pathway may be supervised by a licensed nurse as described in subsection (9)(b) of this section.

(4) "Common curriculum" means the curriculum framework provided by the board for use by all programs. The curriculum framework includes materials for nine basic units and supports students' development of a holistic care approach. Specialty training in developmental disabilities, dementia, and mental health pursuant to chapter 388-112A WAC is not included in the common curriculum.

(5) "Competency evaluation" means the measurement of an individual's knowledge and skills as related to safe, competent performance of one's professional role. A formal, state-required competency evaluation consisting of a written or oral knowledge exam and a skills exam is required for certification as a nursing assistant or for a certification endorsement as a medication assistant. The skills exam may be administered after successful completion of a board-approved nursing assistant training program, prior to issuance of the certificate of completion as outlined in WAC 246-841A-460.

(6) "Corrective action" means the necessary steps a nursing assistant training program must take to address identified deficiencies in or violations of program standards.

(7) "Corrective action designation" means a classification added by the board to a nursing assistant training program's approval status when deficiencies in or violations of program standards exist. Corrective action designations are described in WAC 246-841A-470 and include: Full approval with plan of correction; full approval with plan of correction and technical assistance; and conditional approval.

(8) "Direct patient care" means implementing all aspects of the nursing process with patients through hands-on, face-to-face contact by a licensed nurse. The nursing process consists of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

(9) "Direct supervision" means:

(a) For nursing assistant and medication assistant students in clinical: An approved instructor is always on-site to ensure appropriate care assignments, supervise, teach, and evaluate performance while the students are providing care.

(b) For nursing assistant-registered employees using the nursing assistant-registered work pathway for clinical credit in a nursing assistant training program: A licensed nurse is always on-site to supervise and evaluate competency for all tasks assigned and care to be provided.

(c) For medication assistants employed in a nursing home: The licensed registered nurse who directs medication administration and board-approved treatments to a medication assistant is on-site, immediately accessible in person, and has assessed the residents prior to performance of these duties.

(10) "Good standing" means:

(a) For a nursing assistant training program: The program has operated for at least one year and has full approval status with no corrective action designation as identified in WAC 246-841A-470.

(b) Regarding the status of an individual's license or credential: The license or credential is not currently subject to any sanction, terms, conditions or restrictions required by formal or informal discipline or an agreement to practice with conditions under chapter 18.130 RCW, the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

(11) "Holistic care" means care of the whole person by supporting the person's human needs within one's professional scope of practice. Human needs include physiological, safety, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization needs.

(12) "Home care aide-certified" means any person certified under chapter 18.88B RCW.

(13) "Hybrid program" means online learning replaces a portion of face-to-face classroom or theory instruction with web-based online learning (e.g., video lectures, online discussions, or activities).

(14) "Learning management system" means a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs.

(15) "Live online" (also called "synchronous") means online classroom theory learning where students are required to log in at a specific time and participate in real-time activities in the virtual classroom with a live instructor.

(16) "Medical assistant-certified" means a person certified under chapter 18.360 RCW.

(17) "Medication assistant" means a nursing assistant-certified with a medication assistant endorsement issued under chapter 18.88A RCW who is authorized to administer certain medications and perform certain treatments in a nursing home under the supervision of a registered nurse.

(18) "Nonroutine candidate" means an applicant applying for an initial nursing assistant-certified credential who has not graduated from a Washington state board-approved nursing assistant training program including, but not limited to, applicants in circumstances such as military training, nursing education students, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) reactivation, and out-of-state applicants who have not tested in another state.

(19) "Nursing assistant(s)" includes both nursing assistants-registered and nursing assistants-certified.

(20) "Nursing assistant-certified" means any person certified under chapter 18.88A RCW.

(21) "Nursing assistant-registered" means any person registered under chapter 18.88A RCW.

(22) "Nursing home" means any facility licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW.

(23) "Pass rates" means the averaged percentage of students who successfully meet the standard for the state certification examination on their first attempt, measured annually for all programs individually and in aggregate.

(24) "Prescriber-ordered treatments" means drugs or care tasks ordered by a practitioner who is authorized by law or rule in the state of Washington to prescribe drugs or treatments.

(25) "Program standards" means:

(a) Requirements as stated in this chapter;

(b) Policies, procedures, and program materials and forms developed by the board in support of implementation and compliance with this chapter and state and federal laws;

(c) Demonstration of current and accurate information in program teaching, materials, and communications regarding federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to:

(i) Nursing assistant training, testing, and certification requirements;

(ii) Nursing assistant scope of practice and practice standards; and

(iii) Nursing assistant professional conduct requirements; and

(d) Compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

(26) "Registered nurse evaluator (RNE)" means a board-approved program director or registered nurse program instructor authorized to administer and evaluate the skills exam portion of the nursing assistant competency evaluation.

(27) "Regional test candidate" means an individual who did not attend the program where they are completing the skills competency exam.

(28) "Skills competency exam" means the skills portion of the nursing assistant competency evaluation that consists of a demonstration of randomly selected nursing assistant skills from a board-approved list.

(29) "Technical assistance" means aid by the board to support the program in its efforts to meet program standards. Technical assistance sessions are scheduled for a designated time period. They may occur by phone, virtual meeting, or in-person. As examples, technical assistance may include:

(a) Review of program activities and processes in relation to program standards;

(b) Review of program standards with explanations and examples relevant to the program;

(c) Introduction to approaches or resources that may be helpful to the program; or

(d) A written summary of technical assistance provided and requirements for the program to meet program standards.

(30) "Technical support" relates to students in hybrid programs with asynchronous online elements and means timely assistance by the training program to correct technical difficulties with access to online training program materials or use of those materials. Technical support is provided as part of the overall training program with no additional costs to students for technical support needs.