Employment Requirements for "Nurse Technicians"
and Student Nurses Working as Nurse Aides
PDF Version
of DQA 11-006 (PDF, 51 KB)
| Date: |
February 10, 2011 -- DQA Memo 11-006
Obsoletes BQA - 01-021 |
| To: |
Nurse
Aide Training Programs NATP 01
Nursing Homes NH02 |
| From: |
Shari Busse, Directory
Office of Caregiver Quality |
| Via: |
Otis Woods, Administrator
Division of Quality Assurance
|
Employment Requirements for "Nurse Technicians"
and Student Nurses Working as Nurse Aides
The purpose of this memo is to provide information regarding the role and
responsibilities of "nurse technicians," and student nurses. This
memo:
- 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.
"Nurse Technicians"
In 2004, the Department of Regulation and Licensing (DRL) Board of
Nursing (Board) issued a revised 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 cautions 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 explains that a "nurse technician" performs
delegated nursing or nursing-related duties under the direct supervision of
a registered nurse. See http://drl.wi.gov/board_docview.asp?docid=67&boardid=42&locid=0
for more information.
A person described by the Board as a "nurse technician" is a
nurse aide under both Wisconsin and federal law [Wis. Stat. §§ 50.01(2)
and 146.40(1)(d), 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
Wisconsin Statutes § 50.04(2)(b), 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
Registry. This applies to all nursing homes licensed under Wis. Stat.
Chapter 50, and Wis. Admin. Code DHS Chapter 132. 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
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 below:
| Federally-Certified Nursing Homes, Home Health
Agencies or Hospices |
The student nurse is already included on the Wisconsin
Nurse Aide Registry as a result of completing an approved nurse aide
training and testing program;
Or
The student nurse has successfully completed a basic nursing course
with a minimum of 32 hours of clinical experience through an
accredited school for professional or licensed practical nurses,
successfully completed an approved nurse aide competency test and is
included on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. |
ICFs/MR, Hospitals, and state licensed only Home
Health Agencies,
Hospices & Nursing Homes |
The student nurse is already included on the Wisconsin
Nurse Aide Registry as a result of completing an approved nurse aide
training and testing program;
Or
The student nurse has successfully completed a basic nursing course
with a minimum of 32 hours of clinical experience through an
accredited school for professional or licensed practical nurses. It is
not necessary for the student nurse to complete a nurse aide
competency exam or be included on the Nurse Aide Registry but the
facility must keep the student's transcript on file to verify the
requirement has been met. |
Approved Nurse Aide Competency Testing Programs
A list of approved regional test sites can be found at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/NATD/NrsAidTrgPrgInf.HTM.
A person who has a certificate proving the successful completion of an
approved nurse aide competency test meets employment eligibility. A Nurse
Aide will be listed on the registry within 24 hours after successful
completion of the examination unless the exam must be hand scored. Employers
must verify the person's placement on the Registry by going to http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/NATD/NrsAidTrgPrgInf.HTM
and clicking on Search Nurse Aide Registry.
Wisconsin Nurse Aide Training Program Web Site
The Department's web site for Nurse Aide Training and Testing contains
the most current versions of relevant documents, such as forms, frequently
asked questions, fact sheets, and DQA Memos. See http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/NATD/NATDintro.htm
for more information.
For questions regarding the Nurse Aide Registry contact:
Office of Caregiver Quality
P.O. Box 2569
Madison, WI 53701
Phone: (608) 261-8319
DHSCaregiverIntake@wisconsin.gov
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Last Updated:
March 04, 2013
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