Table of Contents Legislative Mandate ………………………………………………………………… 4 Executive Summary ………………………………………………………………… 5 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 7 An Overview of the Division of Health Professions Licensure ………………………… 8 of Certification of Community Health Workers ……………………………. 13 Board of Registration in Dentistry …………………………………………………... 15 Board of Registration of Genetic Counselors ……………………………………….. 19 of Registration in Nursing ……………………………………………………. 22 Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators ……………………………. 31 of Registration of Perfusionists ………………………………………………. 34 Board of Registration in Pharmacy ………………………………………………...... 36 Board of Registration of Physician Assistants ……………………………………..... 42 Board of Registration of Respiratory Care ………………………………………...... 44 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………….. 47 Contact Us/Feedback ………………………………………………………………... 48 Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………. 49
M.G.L. c. 112, §§81A and 81C authorize the Nursing Board to establish regulations governing approval and operation of Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse education programs located in the Commonwealth. As of June 30, 2016, the Nursing Board approved the operation of a total of 75 Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse education programs: 27 practical nurse programs: Pre-requisite approval: Salter College; Approval with warning: Medical Professional Institute; Full approval: all other practical nurse programs; 20 registered nurse associate degree programs with full approval; 20 registered nurse baccalaureate degree programs with full approval; 1 registered nurse hospital-based diploma program with full approval; and 7 registered nurse entry-level graduate degree programs with full approval. The Nursing Board hosted its annual New Program Administrator Orientation in November 2015, introducing 18 new nurse administrators to the Nursing Board’s regulations at 244 CMR 6.00, Approval of Nursing Education Programs and the General Conduct Thereof, and the regulatory requirements for Massachusetts nurse licensure by examination. Development, promulgation, and enforcement of regulations, sub-regulatory guidance and staff action policies Amendments to 801 CMR: During FY2016, CHW certification fee regulations were drafted and approved by the CHW Board. The regulations have been submitted for administrative review prior to a public comment period. Once the CHW Board reviews and considers public comment, the certification fee regulations will be finalized and approved by the CHW Board in FY2017. Draft CHW Regulations: In FY2015 the CHW Board and CHW Advisory Work Group prepared draft regulations which were then submitted for administrative review. After a public comment period, the CHW Board will consider public comments and finalize the regulations in FY2017. 234 CMR Regulatory Review Workgroup: The Dentistry Board convened a workgroup in FY2015 comprised of Dentistry Board members, Dentistry Board staff, oral surgeons, pediatric dentists, orthodontists and dental assistants to undertake a section-by-section, line-by-line review of the Dentistry Board’s August 2010 amendments to 234 CMR. The workgroup met on the following occasions during FY2016: July 15, 2015; November 18, 2015; December 16, 2015; April 27, 2016; May 9, 2016; and
243 General Anesthesia Permits 690 Nitrous Oxide Permits 300 Conscious Sedation Permits 38 Portable Dental Operation and Mobile Dental Facility Permits 677 Facility Permits 27,181 Total Board of Nursing Home Administrators Annual licensure 909 Nursing Home Administrators 73 Administrator in Training (Internship) 982 Total Board of Physician Assistants Biennial licensure 3,261 Physician Assistants 1 Temporary Physician Assistants 3,262 Total Board of Respiratory Care Biennial licensure (Limited licenses cannot be renewed) 2,794 Respiratory Therapists 64 Limited Respiratory Therapists 2,858 Total Board of Perfusionists Biennial licensure (except Provisional licenses, which are annual) 106 Perfusionists 0 Limited Perfusionists 3 Provisional Licenses 109 Total Board of Genetic Counselors Biennial licensure (except Provisional licenses, which are triennial) 235 Genetic Counselors 4 Provisional Genetic Counselors 239 Total Due to the recent establishment of the of Certification of Community Health Workers, no applications for certification were processed in FY2016. Appendix C: FY2016 VALOR Act Licensure Applications Appendix D: FY2016 Active Service Duty Licensees Appendix E: Number of Complaints and Investigations During Fiscal Year 2016 Board Assignment Investigations Opened Staff Assignment Investigations Closed Formal Complaints Opened Formal Complaints Resolved Formal Complaints Resolved with Discipline Imposed Formal Complaints Resolved with Discipline Imposed (%) Nursing 230 214 251 175 97 55%