Washington State Statutes - Washington Attorney Directory

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

     (1) "Department" means the department of health.

     (2) "Secretary" means the secretary of health.

     (3) "Commission" means the Washington nursing care quality assurance commission.

     (4) "Nursing assistant" means an individual, regardless of title, who, under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, assists in the delivery of nursing and nursing-related activities to patients in a health care facility. The two levels of nursing assistants are (a) "nursing assistant-certified," an individual certified under this chapter, (b) "nursing assistant-registered," an individual registered under this chapter.

     (5) "Approved training program" means a nursing assistant-certified training program approved by the commission. For community college, vocational-technical institutes, skill centers, and secondary school as defined in chapter 28B.50 RCW, nursing assistant-certified training programs shall be approved by the commission in cooperation with the board for community and technical colleges or the superintendent of public instruction.

     (6) "Health care facility" means a nursing home, hospital, hospice care facility, home health care agency, hospice agency, or other entity for delivery of health care services as defined by the commission.

     (7) "Competency evaluation" means the measurement of an individual's knowledge and skills as related to safe, competent performance as a nursing assistant.

[1994 sp.s. c 9 § 708; 1991 c 16 § 2; (1991 c 3 § 221 repealed by 1991 sp.s. c 11 § 2); 1989 c 300 § 4; 1988 c 267 § 2. Formerly RCW 18.52B.020.]

Click here to visit the Official Washington State Statutes