Nurse
Delegation
Who Needs to Get Nurse Delegated?
The Department of Health defines the requirements for Nurse Delegation with two following WACs: WAC 246-840-930 and WAC 246-841-405
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According to these rules, Nurse Delegation is required for*:
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Home care aides (HCAs) working in a residential care facility
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Nursing assistants (NACs/NARs) working in a residential care facility
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Independent providers (IP) for a home-care agency caring for clients that qualify for the COPES program**
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*Not all long-term care workers (LTCW) require Nurse Delegation. It is necessary only for those LTCW who are performing tasks that require nurse delegation.
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**IPs who work through the COPES program directly with a client must be members of the SEIU union and do not require nurse delegation. They perform those same tasks under the designation of "self-directed care." This means that because no licensed facility is involved, the client becomes the employer. The client is responsible for training the IP and "self-directing" the task, but without requiring nurse delegation.
Who Needs to Get Nurse Delegated?
The long and hard way is to do self-study using a coursebook and then spend days or sometimes weeks finding a nurse who has the time to assist with all the legal requirements. A registered nurse must teach and supervise the caregiver, as well as provide nursing assessments of the patient's condition.