WAC 246-841A-595. Application requirements for a medication assistant endorsement

(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.