W. Va. Code R. § 10-6-4

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 10-6-4 - Continuing Education - Providers

4.1. The Board shall recognize as an approved provider, an agency which meets the minimum provider standards in subdivision 4.2.a. through 4.2.g. of this rule. Approved providers include, but are not be limited to:

American Red Cross - State Affiliates

Boards of Nursing - United States and Territories

Commission on Aging

Licensed Practical Nurses Association of West Virginia

Medicare and Medicaid Certified Long Term Care Facilities

National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service

National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses

National League for Nursing - State Affiliates

North Ctrl Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools

West Virginia Council of Home Health Agencies

West Virginia Department of Education

West Virginia Department of Health

West Virginia Health Care Association

West Virginia Hospital Association

West Virginia Nurses Association

West Virginia Vocational and Technical Education Centers

Other West Virginia health-related licensing boards

Other national, regional, or state nursing, medical, or allied health organizations

4.1.a. The board shall accept courses and programs provided by accredited schools, colleges or universities and programs offered by institutions accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organization or the American Association of Osteopathic Hospitals as well as facilities and agencies certified to receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

4.1.b. The Board shall consider written requests to designate other local, state or national agencies, organizations and associations as approved providers.

4.1.c. The board shall maintain a current list of approved providers which shall be available to the public upon request. The board shall notify in writing a provider who fails to meet the minimum acceptable standards, of specific deficiencies and give a reasonable period of time to correct deficiencies. The board may remove an approved provider from the list of approved providers who does not correct deficiencies within the specified time period.

4.2. Minimum Standards for Approved Providers

4.2.a. The duration of the activity shall be at least one (1) contact hour.

4.2.b. The provider shall prepare written objectives, in measurable terms, which describe what a licensee can expect to learn.

4.2.c. The program content shall relate to the program objectives.

4.2.d. The provider shall furnish the instructor' qualifications in the subject areas to be taught to the participant, in writing.

4.2.e. The provider shall establish a written method to determine whether the participant has achieved the stated objectives of the activity. Methods may include but are not limited to self-evaluation check lists or tests.

4.2.f. The provider shall furnish a written statement of completion to each participant who satisfactorily completes each continuing education activity which is signed by the instructor or an individual designated by the instructor.

4.2.g. The provider shall maintain a record of individuals who attend a continuing education activity for a period of not less than four (4) years.

4.3. Independent Study

4.3.a. Independent study activities may include educational television, audio cassettes, and printed media, designed as programmed learning units.

4.3.b. Contact hour equivalents for approved independent study shall be based on contact hours approved by the approved provider.

4.4. Self Study

4.4.a. Self study, may include activities which the licensee determines will enhance his or her skills and knowledge of nursing, such as reading professional journals, watching educational television and listening to audio cassettes that are not designed as programmed learning units, and are not approved by an approved provider.

4.4.b. The board shall base contact hour equivalents for self study on the actual time spent by the licensee.

4.4.c. The board shall permit credit of a total of five (5) contact hours of self study toward the continuing education requirement for any two (2) year reporting period.

4.5. Continuing Education Subjects

4.5.a. Continuing education offerings shall reflect the educational needs for the licensee in order to meet the health care needs of the consumer and may consist of one or more of the following subject areas:

4.5.a.1. Nursing practice areas and special health care problems;

4.5.a.2. The biological, physical, social and behavioral sciences;

4.5.a.3. The legal aspects of health care;

4.5.a.4. Management of health care personnel and patient care;

4.5.a.5. Teaching and learning process for health care personnel and patients; and

4.5.a.6. Subjects relating to nursing practice which are required as part of a formal nursing program and which are more advanced than those completed for original licensure.

4.5.b. The following activities are not acceptable for continuing education credit:

4.5.b.1. job related clinical practice;

4.5.b.2. development and presentation of programs as part of the licensees on-going job responsibilities;

4.5.b.3. orientation and update of policies and procedures specific to the licensee's employing facility; and

4.5.b.4. activities which are part of a licensee's usual job responsibility.

W. Va. Code R. § 10-6-4