Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › AGENCY DESCRIPTION › Chapter 246-12 - Administrative procedures and requirements for credentialed health care providers › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 246-12-010 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) "Business": A
				  business is an adult family home provider owned by a corporation regulated
				  under chapter 18.48 RCW; a pharmaceutical firm regulated under
				  chapter
				  18.64 RCW; or a nursing
				  pool regulated under chapter 18.52C RCW; or a health care assistant regulated
				  under chapter 18.135 RCW.
(2)
				  "Credential": A credential is a license, certification, or registration issued
				  to a person to practice a regulated health care profession. Whether the
				  credential is a license, certification or registration is determined by the law
				  regulating the profession.
(3)
				  "Declaration": A declaration is a statement signed by the practitioner on a
				  form provided by the department of health for verifying continuing education,
				  AIDS training, or other requirements. When required, declarations must be
				  completed and signed to be effective verification to the department.
(4) "Disciplinary suspension": The regulatory
				  entity places the credential in disciplinary suspension status when there is a
				  finding of unprofessional conduct. Refer to the Uniform Disciplinary Act
				  (RCW
				     18.130.160).
(5) "Local organization for emergency
				  services or management": Has the same meaning as that found in
				  RCW
				     38.52.010.
(6) "Mandated suspension": The department of
				  health places the credential in mandated suspension status when a law requires
				  suspension of a credential under certain circumstances. This suspension is
				  nondiscretionary for the department of health. Examples of mandated suspension
				  are default on a student loan and failure to pay child support. The
				  practitioner may not practice while on mandated suspension. The credential must
				  be returned to active status before the practitioner may practice. See Part 6
				  of this chapter.
(7)
				  "Practitioner": A practitioner is an individual health care provider listed
				  under the Uniform Disciplinary Act,
				  RCW
				     18.130.040.
(8) "Regulatory entities": A "regulatory
				  entity" is a board, commission, or the secretary of the department of health
				  designated as the authority to regulate one or more professions or occupations
				  in this state. Practitioner health care practice acts and the Uniform
				  Disciplinary Act (UDA) designate whether it is a board, commission, or the
				  secretary of the department of health which has the authority to adopt rules,
				  discipline health care providers, and determine requirements for initial
				  licensure and continuing education requirements.
The regulatory entity determines whether disciplinary
					 action should be taken on a credential for unprofessional conduct. These
					 actions may include revocation, suspension, practice limitations or conditions
					 upon the practitioner.
(9)
				  "Renewal": Every credential requires renewal. The renewal cycle is either one,
				  two, or three years, depending on the profession.
(10) "Secretary": The secretary is the
				  secretary of the department of health or his or her designee.
(11) "Status": All credentials are subject to
				  the Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA) regardless of status. A credential status
				  may be in any one of the following:
(a) Most
				  credentials are in
"active"
status. These practitioners are
				  authorized to practice the profession. These practitioners need to renew the
				  credential each renewal cycle. See Part 2 of this chapter.
(b) The department of health places the
				  credential in
"expired"
status if the credential is not renewed on
				  time. While in expired status, the practitioner is not authorized to practice.
				  Practice on an expired status is a violation of law and subject to disciplinary
				  action. See Part 2 of this chapter.
(c) A practitioner may place the credential
				  in
"inactive"
status if authorized by the regulatory entity. This
				  means the practitioner is not practicing the profession. See Part 4 of this
				  chapter.
(d) A practitioner may
				  place the credential in
"inactive military-related"
status if he
				  or she is a spouse or registered domestic partner of a member of the United
				  States Armed Forces or the United States Public Health Service Commissioned
				  Corps and the service member is deployed or stationed in a location outside of
				  Washington state.
(e) A
				  practitioner may place the credential in
"military"
status if he
				  or she is a member of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Public
				  Health Service Commissioned Corps, or the Merchant Marine of the United
				  States.
(f) A practitioner may
				  place the credential in
"retired active"
status if authorized by
				  the regulatory entity. This means the practitioner can practice only
				  intermittently or in emergencies. See Part 5 of this chapter.