PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: New category of WAC 246-928-XXX Health care assistants, to implement legislation related to the credentialing of hemodialysis technicians.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.135.030(1), chapter 22, Laws of 2001.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: With the passage of HB 1309 (chapter 22, Laws of 2001), the legislature expressed concerns about the quality of care dialysis patients are receiving due to the lack of uniform training standards for hemodialysis clinical personnel working in renal dialysis facilities in this state. Currently, hemodialysis technicians are trained by the facilities, and most facilities have established training programs providing from six to eight weeks of ongoing training. Training is not standardized and varies among facilities. Some facilities offer no on-site training. Rules need to be developed to include core competencies and minimum training standards for mandatory training programs to be utilized by renal dialysis facilities for training hemodialysis technicians as health care assistants.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tracy Hansen, Program Manager, Health Care Assistants Program, 1300 S.E. Quince Street, Mailstop 47870, Olympia, WA 98504-7870, phone (360) 236-4940, fax (360) 586-0745.
June 29, 2001
M. C. Selecky
Secretary