Virginia Regulatory Town Hall

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Action:
Periodic review - more flexibility in CE courses and in ...
Stage: Fast-Track
 
18VAC95-20-10

Part I
General Provisions

18VAC95-20-10. Definitions.

A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the definitions ascribed to them in § 54.1-3100 of the Code of Virginia:

Board

Nursing home

Nursing home administrator

B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Accredited institution" means any degree-granting college or university accredited by an accrediting body approved by the United States Department of Education or any diploma-granting program approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

"A.I.T." means a person enrolled in the administrator-in-training program in nursing home administration in a licensed nursing home.

"Administrator-of-record" means the licensed nursing home administrator designated in charge of the general administration of the facility and identified as such to the facility's licensing agency.

"Approved sponsor" means an individual, business or organization approved by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards or by an accredited education institution to offer continuing education programs in accordance with this chapter.

"Continuing education" means the educational activities which serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, performance and competence recognized as relevant to the nursing home administrator's professional responsibilities.

"Full time" means employment of at least 35 hours per week.

"Hour" means 6050 minutes of participation in a program for obtaining continuing education.

"Internship" means a practicum or course of study as part of a degree or post-degree program designed especially for the preparation of candidates for licensure as nursing home administrators that involves supervision by an accredited college or university of the practical application of previously studied theory.

"National examination" means a test used by the board to determine the competence of candidates for licensure as administered by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards or any other examination approved by the board.

"Preceptor" means a nursing home administrator currently licensed and registered or recognized by a nursing home administrator licensing board to conduct an administrator-in-training (A.I.T.) program.

"State examination" means a test used by the Board of Long-Term Care Administrators to determine competency of a candidate relevant to regulations and laws in Virginia governing nursing home administration.

18VAC95-20-175

18VAC95-20-175. Continuing education requirements.

A. In order to renew a nursing home administrator license, an applicant shall attest on his renewal application to completion of 20 hours of approved continuing education for each renewal year.

1. Up to 10 of the 20 hours may be obtained through Internet or self-study courses and up to 10 continuing education hours in excess of the number required may be transferred or credited to the next renewal year.

2. A licensee is exempt from completing continuing education requirements and considered in compliance on the first renewal date following initial licensure.

B. In order for continuing education to be approved by the board, it shall be related to health care administration and shall be approved or offered by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards or by (NAB), an accredited institution, or a government agency.

C. Documentation of continuing education.

1. The licensee shall retain in his personal files for a period of three renewal years complete documentation of continuing education including evidence of attendance or participation as provided by the approved sponsor for each course taken.

2. Evidence of attendance shall be an original document provided by the approved sponsor and shall include:

a. Date or dates the course was taken;

b. Hours of attendance or participation;

c. Participant's name; and

d. Signature of an authorized representative of the approved sponsor.

3. If contacted for an audit, the licensee shall forward to the board by the date requested a signed affidavit of completion on forms provided by the board and evidence of attendance or participation as provided by the approved sponsor.

D. The board may grant an extension of up to one year or an exemption for all or part of the continuing education requirements due to circumstances beyond the control of the administrator, such as a certified illness, a temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

18VAC95-20-220

Part III
Requirements for Licensure

18VAC95-20-220. Qualifications for initial licensure.

One of the following sets of qualifications is required for licensure as a nursing home administrator:

1. Degree and practical experience. The applicant shall (i) hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in a health care-related field that meets the requirements of 18VAC95-20-221 from an accredited college or university institution; (ii) have completed not less than a 320-hour internship that addresses the Domains of Practice as specified in 18VAC95-20-390 in a licensed nursing home as part of the degree program under the supervision of a preceptor; and (iii) have received a passing grade on the national examination;

2. Certificate program. The applicant shall (i) hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university; (ii) successfully complete a program with a minimum of 21 semester hours study in a health care-related field that meets the requirements of 18VAC95-20-221 from an accredited college or university institution; (iii) successfully complete not less than a 400-hour internship that addresses the Domains of Practice as specified in 18VAC95-20-390 in a licensed nursing home as part of the certificate program under the supervision of a preceptor; and (iv) have received a passing grade on the national examination; or

3. Administrator-in-training program. The applicant shall have (i) successfully completed an A.I.T. program which meets the requirements of Part IV (18VAC95-20-300 et seq.) of this chapter and (ii) received a passing grade on the national examination.

18VAC95-20-300

Part IV
Administrator-In-Training Program

18VAC95-20-300. Administrator-in-training qualifications.

A. To be approved as an administrator-in-training, a person shall:

1. Have received a passing grade on a total of 60 semester hours of education from an accredited college or university institution;

2. Obtain a preceptor to provide training;

3. Submit the fee prescribed in 18VAC95-20-80;

4. Submit the application provided by the board; and

5. Submit additional documentation as may be necessary to determine eligibility of the applicant and the number of hours required for the A.I.T. program.

B. With the exception of school transcripts, all required parts of the application package shall be submitted at the same time. An incomplete package shall be retained by the board for on one year after which time the application shall be destroyed and a new application and fee shall be required.

18VAC95-20-310

18VAC95-20-310. Required hours of training.

A. The A.I.T. program shall consist of 2,000 hours of continuous training in a facility as prescribed in 18VAC95-20-330 to be completed within 24 months. An extension may be granted by the board on an individual case basis. The board may reduce the required hours for applicants with certain qualifications as prescribed in subsection B and C of this section.

B. An A.I.T. applicant with prior health care work experience may request approval to receive a maximum 1,000 hours of credit toward the total 2,000 hours as follows:

1. The applicant shall have been employed full time for four of the past five consecutive years immediately prior to application as an assistant administrator or director of nursing in a training facility as prescribed in 18VAC95-20-330, or as the licensed administrator of an assisted living facility;

2. The applicant with experience as a hospital administrator shall have been employed full time for three of the past five years immediately prior to application as a hospital administrator-of-record or an assistant hospital administrator in a hospital setting having responsibilities in all of the following areas:

a. Regulatory;

b. Fiscal;

c. Supervisory;

d. Personnel; and

e. Management; or

3. The applicant who holds a license as a registered nurse shall have held an administrative level supervisory position for at least four of the past five consecutive years, in a training facility as prescribed in 18VAC95-20-330.

C. An A.I.T. applicant with the following educational qualifications shall meet these requirements:

1. An applicant with a master's or a baccalaureate degree in a health care-related field that meets the requirements of 18VAC95-20-221 with no internship shall complete 320 hours in an A.I.T. program;

2. An applicant with a master's degree in a field other than health care shall complete 1,000 hours in an A.I.T. program;

3. An applicant with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than health care shall complete 1,500 hours in an A.I.T. program; or

4. An applicant with 60 semester hours of education in an accredited college or university shall complete 2,000 hours in an A.I.T. program.

D. An A.I.T. shall be required to serve weekday, evening, night and weekend shifts and to receive training in all areas of nursing home operation.

18VAC95-20-470

Part V
Refusal, Suspension, Revocation, and Disciplinary Action

18VAC95-20-470. Unprofessional conduct.

The board may refuse to admit a candidate to an examination, refuse to issue or renew a license or approval to any applicant, suspend a license for a stated period of time or indefinitely, reprimand a licensee, place his license on probation with such terms and conditions and for such time as it may designate, impose a monetary penalty, or revoke a license for any of the following causes:

1. Conducting the practice of nursing home administration in such a manner as to constitute a danger to the health, safety, and well-being of the residents, staff, or public;

2. Failure to comply with federal, state, or local laws and regulations governing the operation of a nursing home;

3. Conviction of a felony or any misdemeanor involving abuse, neglect or moral turpitude;

4. Failure to comply with any regulations of the board Violating or cooperating with others in violating any of the provisions of Chapters 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.), 24 (§ 54.1-2400 et seq.), and this chapter or regulations of the board; or

5. Inability to practice with skill or safety.