Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING › Chapter 246-840 - Practical and registered nursing › PRACTICE STANDARDS › Section 246-840-760 - Definitions of terms used in WAC 246-840-750 through 246-840-790

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The definitions in this section apply throughout WAC
					 246-840-750 through 246-840-790
					 unless the text clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Continuing care" means the phase of
				  treatment following acute treatment. Common elements of continuing care include
				  relapse prevention and self-help group participation.
(2) "Defray" means the board may pay up to 80
				  percent of out-of-pocket expenses related to WHPS program participation that
				  includes substance use disorder (SUD) evaluations, SUD treatment and other
				  ancillary services including drug testing, participation, professional peer
				  support groups, and any other expenses deemed appropriate by the
				  board.
(3) "Financial assistance"
				  means board approval to use funds to pay for a participant's out-of-pocket
				  costs associated with participation in the WHPS program.
(4) "Financial need" means a demonstrated
				  need by a WHPS participant when they need help to pay for costs related to
				  participation in the WHPS program.
(5) "Monitoring contract" is a comprehensive,
				  structured agreement between the recovering nurse and WHPS defining the
				  requirements of the nurse's program participation.
(6) "Peer support group" is a professionally
				  facilitated support group designed to support recovery and re-entry into
				  practice.
(7) "Random drug screens"
				  means laboratory tests to detect the presence of drugs in body fluids and other
				  biologic specimens that are performed at irregular intervals not known in
				  advance by the person to be tested.
(8) "Referral contract" is a formal agreement
				  between the board and the nurse to comply with the requirements of the WHPS
				  program in lieu of discipline.
(9)
				  "Self-help groups" means groups or fellowships providing support for people
				  with substance use disorder to support their sobriety and recovery.
(10) "Stipend program" means the board
				  program to defray the out-of-pocket expenses for participants who have applied
				  for and been approved to receive financial assistance in connection with
				  participation in WHPS. The purpose is to assist nurses who would otherwise be
				  unable to participate in the program because of personal financial
				  limitations.
(11) "Stipend program
				  application" means a board form that the participant uses to request stipend
				  assistance that provides information to determine eligibility for stipend
				  funds.
(12) "Substance use
				  disorder" (SUD) means a chronic progressive illness that involves the use of
				  alcohol or other drugs to a degree that it interferes with the functional life
				  of the registrant/licensee, as manifested by health, family, job (professional
				  services), legal, financial, or emotional problems.
(13) "Washington health professional services
				  (WHPS)" is the approved substance use monitoring program as described in
				  RCW
				  18.130.175 that meets criteria established by
				  the board. WHPS does not provide evaluation or treatment services.
Statutory Authority:
						RCW
						18.79.110. 08-11-019, § 246-840-760,
						filed 5/12/08, effective 6/12/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW.
						97-13-100, § 246-840-760, filed 6/18/97, effective
						7/19/97.