Employment Requirements for
"Nurse Technicians" & Student Nurses who Work as Nurse Aides
PDF Version of BQA 01-021
(PDF, 14 KB)
Date: May 11, 2001 -- DSL-BQA-01-021
To: Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled
FDD 09,
Hospitals HOSP 10,
Home Health Agencies HHA
12,
Nurse Aide
Training Programs NATP 09,
Hospices HSPCE 09,
Nursing Homes NH 12
From: Donna Cochems, Chief, Caregiver Regulation and Investigation Section;
La Vern Woodford, Chief, Resident Care Review Section
Via: Susan Schroeder, Director, Bureau of Quality Assurance
This memorandum:
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Clarifies that "nurse technicians" are nurse aides and
must comply with the training and testing requirements for nurse aides
who work in health care facilities.
-
Explains employment requirements for student nurses who work as
nurse aides in health care facilities.
-
Clarifies charge nurse and staffing requirements.
Nursing homes, hospitals, intermediate care facilities for persons with
mental retardation (ICFs/MR), home health agencies and hospices should
read this memorandum carefully and take action to ensure compliance with
theses requirements by December 31, 2001.
"Nurse Technicians"
In 1998, the Department of Regulation and Licensing Board of Nursing
(Board) issued a policy statement describing a certain type of nurse aide
as a "nurse technician": a nursing student who either is
currently enrolled in a nursing program leading to registered nurse or
practical nurse licensure, or has graduated from the program and does not
hold a temporary permit, or who has been unsuccessful on the nursing
licensure exam and is retaking the exam.
The Board’s policy statement cautioned both registered nurses and
facilities that a "nurse technician" is not licensed to practice
nursing as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. The policy
statement also explained that a "nurse technician" performs
delegated nursing or nursing-related duties under the direct supervision
of a registered nurse.
A person described by the Board as a "nurse technician" is a
nurse aide under both Wisconsin
(exit DHFS) and
federal
(exit DHFS) law [Secs. 50.01(2) and
146.40(1)(d), Stats., and 42 CFR 483.75(e).]. Accordingly, a "nurse
technician" who is employed to perform direct care duties in a health
care facility must comply with the training and testing requirements that
apply to nurse aides.
Charge Nurse Requirements in Nursing Homes
Section 50.04(2)(b), Stats., requires a nursing home charge nurse to be
either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse who acts under the
supervision of a registered nurse or a physician. The law does not permit
a nurse aide, including a nurse aide who is designated as a "nurse
technician" or other title, to be a charge nurse.
Staffing Requirements in Nursing Homes
The hours of nursing personnel cannot be counted as part of a nursing
home’s staffing level unless the personnel are registered nurses,
licensed practical nurses or nurse aides who are included on the Wisconsin
Nurse Aide Directory. This applies to all nursing homes licensed under ch.
50, Stats., and ch. HFS 132, Wis. Admin. Code. The only exception to this
requirement is a student nurse who has completed the basic nursing course
of an accredited nursing school and works as a nurse aide at a nursing
home that is only state licensed and is not federally-certified.
Student Nurses Who Are Employed by Health Care Facilities as Nurse
Aides Requirements
The following requirements apply to a student nurse who is employed by
a health care facility to perform direct care duties. They do not apply to
the clinical placement and supervision of a student nurse by an accredited
nursing school. Health care facilities that employ or contract for a
student nurse to provide nursing-related, direct care services must ensure
that the person satisfies one of the applicable requirements on the table
below. If the student nurse does not satisfy one of the
requirements, he or she must complete an approved nurse aide competency
test by December 31, 2001.
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The student nurse is already included on
the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Directory as a result of completing an
approved nurse aide training and testing program; or
|
The student nurse is already included on
the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Directory as a result of completing an
approved nurse aide training and testing program; or
|
|
The student nurse has successfully
completed an approved nurse aide competency test.
|
The student nurse has successfully
completed an approved nurse aide competency test;
Or
The student nurse has successfully completed the basic nursing
course of an accredited school for professional or licensed
practical nurses. |
Approved Nurse Aide Competency Testing Programs
Contact the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Directory for information regarding
approved nurse aide competency testing programs in your area. Competency
test fees range from $25.00 to $140.00. Training and testing reimbursement
is available to nurse aides listed on the Directory who are employed by a
nursing home within 12 months of completing the test. The Wisconsin
Medicaid program reimburses nursing homes for this cost through the Nurse
Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Reimbursement Request form,
EDS-00611.
A person who has a certificate proving the successful completion of an
approved nurse aide competency test meets employment eligibility. Nurse
Aide Directory applications are processed within 30 days. Employers must
verify the person’s placement on the Directory by calling the
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) at [toll-free 1-877-224-0235]. Information
regarding a nurse aide’s employment eligibility is available seven days
a week, 24 hours per day. Callers are limited to ten inquiries per
telephone call.
Wisconsin Nurse Aide Directory and Nurse Aide Training Program Web
Site
The Department’s web site for the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Directory and
Nurse Aide Training Program contains the most current versions of relevant
documents, such as forms, frequently asked questions, fact sheets, and BQA
Memos. The web site address is: www.dhfs.state.wi.us/caregiver/NATD/NATDintro.htm
For answers to questions regarding the Nurse Aide Directory contact:
Wisconsin Nurse Aide Directory
Bureau of Quality Assurance
2917 International Lane
Madison, WI 53704
Phone (608) 243-2019
e-mail: Caregiver_Intake@dhfs.state.wi.us
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