WAC 246-841A-550

The board approves medical assistant-certified alternative training programs that meet approval requirements. These programs serve individuals credentialed as medical assistants-certified as defined in WAC 246-841A-535(2). Successful completion allows them to apply to take the state exam evaluating competency for nursing assistant certification.

(1) An alternative program shall:

(a) Meet the requirements for initial and ongoing approval of nursing assistant training programs in this chapter, except for the following differences:

(i) The program must implement the common curriculum designed specifically for medical assistant-certified alternative programs, as developed and described in materials provided by the board in accordance with the transition timelines established by the board in WAC 246-841A-440(1).

(ii) The program must provide the minimum required training hours designed specifically for medical assistant-certified alternative programs. The minimum required training hours are: 36 hours total, with a minimum of 16 hours of classroom theory, a minimum of 14 hours of skills lab, and a minimum of six hours of clinical training.

(b) Be subject to corrective actions for nursing assistant training programs as described in WAC 246-841A-465 through 246-841A-490, when requirements are not met for initial and ongoing approval of nursing assistant training programs (WAC 246-841A-420 through 246-841A-460), including those specific to medical assistant-certified alternative programs (WAC 246-841A-530 through 246-841A-555).

(c) Provide a subset of the content for traditional nursing assistant programs as identified in the common curriculum for the alternative program and reflecting the following competency areas found in WAC 246-841A-400:

(i) The nursing assistant role and knowledge of rules and regulations;

(ii) Resident rights and promotion of independence;

(iii) Communication and interpersonal skills;

(iv) Infection control;

(v) Safety and emergency procedures;

(vi) Basic nursing skills;

(vii) Basic restorative services;

(viii) Personal care;

(ix) Life transitions.

(2) Training to orient the student to the health care facility and facility policies and procedures is required, but is not included in the minimum clinical training hours required.