Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) Initial
applicant requirements: Applicants for an initial medication assistant
endorsement must meet the following requirements:
(a) Be credentialed as a nursing
assistant-certified in good standing, under chapter 18.88A RCW;
(b) Successfully complete a
commission-approved medication assistant education and training program, as
described in WAC
246-841A-590 within the year
immediately prior to the date of application;
(c) Complete at least 1,000 hours of work
experience in a nursing home as a nursing assistant-certified within the year
immediately prior to the date of application; and
(d) After completing the requirements in (a)
through (c) of this subsection, the applicant must pass the commission-approved
medication assistant competency evaluation.
(2) Application requirements for adding the
medication assistant certification endorsement to a nursing assistant-certified
credential:
(a) To add an initial medication
assistant certification endorsement to a nursing assistant-certified
credential, the nursing assistant-certified must submit to the department:
(i) An application on forms approved by the
secretary of the department of health.
(ii) The applicable fees under WAC
246-841A-990.
(iii) Proof of completion of:
(A) A commission-approved medication
assistant training program under WAC
246-841A-590; and
(B) Competency evaluation described under
subsection (1) of this section; and
(iv) Employer documentation of work
experience as required in subsection (1)(c) of this section.
(b) An applicant who is currently
credentialed as a medication assistant in another state or jurisdiction may
qualify for a medication assistant endorsement credential under this chapter.
An applicant must submit to the department:
(i) An application on forms approved by the
secretary of the department of health;
(ii) Written verification directly from the
state or jurisdiction in which the applicant is credentialed, attesting that
the applicant holds a credential in good standing substantially equivalent to
the medication assistant endorsement credential in Washington;
(iii) Verification of completion of the
required education substantially equivalent to the education requirements as
described in WAC
246-841A-590(3);
(iv) Employer documentation of work
experience as required in subsection (1)(c) of this section; and
(v) The applicable fees under WAC
246-841A-990.
(3) Renewal requirements: To renew a
medication assistant certification endorsement credential, the medication
assistant must have a current nursing assistant-certified credential in good
standing and meet the requirements of WAC
246-12-030.
(4) Continuing competency requirements: A
medication assistant shall meet the following requirements on an annual basis
to coincide with renewal of their nursing assistant-certified credentials:
(a) Employer documentation of successful
completion of 250 hours of employment as a medication assistant in a nursing
home setting under the direct supervision of a registered nurse;
(b) Documentation of eight hours of
continuing education specific to medications, medication administration, and
performance of selected patient treatments. Continuing education hours must be
obtained through a commission-approved medication education and training
program as described in WAC
246-841A-590, continuing
education programs approved by a professional association, or staff development
programs offered in a nursing home. The education hours must directly relate to
the medication assistant's role of medication administration and the
performance of selected treatments.