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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
licensed health aides
Purpose
Expands the definition of licensed health aide and allows an applicant for health aide licensure to authorize a prospective employer to discuss the applicant's application with the Arizona Board of Nursing (AZBN).
Background
A licensed health aide is a person who: 1)
is licensed by the AZBN to provide or assist in providing nursing-related
services, as prescribed, under the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS); 2) is
the parent, guardian or family member of an ALTCS member and provides licensed
health aide services consistent with the member's plan of care, only to that
member; and 3) has the same scope of practice as a licensed nursing assistant
and may provide medication administration, tracheostomy and enteral care and
therapy as well as any other tasks approved by the AZBN by rule. A person
seeking to practice as a licensed health aide must file an application with the
AZBN, accompanied by payment of the licensing fee, and submit satisfactory
proof that the applicant: 1) is the parent, guardian or family member of a
person who is under 21 years old and is eligible to receive continuous skilled
nursing or skilled nursing respite care services as prescribed; 2) completed
the basic curriculum and received a valid certificate from an AZBN approved
training program; and
3) satisfactorily completed an AZBN approved competency examination. A licensed
health aide may provide home health agency services that include intermittent
health maintenance, continued treatment or monitoring of a health condition and
supportive care for activities of daily living that are provided within the
ALTCS member's residence (A.R.S. §§ 32-1601;
32-1645;
and 36-2939).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Modifies the definition of licensed health aide to include:
a. family members, by affinity or consanguinity, of an ALTCS member that provides licensed health aide services to that member;
b. routine ventilator care in the list of services a licensed health aide may perform; and
c. the requirement that licensed health aides assist in or provide nursing related services, as prescribed, under the supervision and direction of a licensed nursing staff member.
2. Allows an applicant for health aide licensure to authorize a prospective employer to discuss the applicant's application with the AZBN.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 2/5/24 DPA 10-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/29/24 58-0-1-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 15, 2024
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