Section § 1812.540

Explanation

This law section explains specific definitions used in the chapter related to staffing and care services at long-term health care facilities. It defines "direct care service" as basic care provided by certified nurse assistants, focusing on patient well-being. "Nursing service" involves licensed nurses and psychiatric technicians providing both basic and nursing care. "Licensed nursing staff" refers specifically to certified nurses and technicians. Lastly, "long-term health care facility" means a facility licensed according to certain standards.

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(a)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.540(a) “Direct care service” means the temporary assignment of certified nurse assistants to render basic care services directed at the safety, comfort, personal hygiene, or protection of a patient who is a resident of a long-term health care facility.
(b)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.540(b) “Nursing service” means the temporary assignment of a licensed registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, or psychiatric technician to render nursing and basic care services to a patient who is a resident of a long-term health care facility.
(c)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.540(c) “Licensed nursing staff” means a licensed registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, or psychiatric technician.
(d)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.540(d) “Long-term health care facility” means a licensed facility, as defined in Section 1418 of the Health and Safety Code.

Section § 1812.541

Explanation

If a company that places temporary certified nurse assistants (CNAs) at long-term care facilities, it must provide certain information to the facility. This includes proof that each CNA is properly registered and in good standing, has at least six months of relevant experience, and has recently been health-checked, including a tuberculosis screening. Additionally, each CNA must join any required training or orientation programs and comply with ongoing training regulations.

Every employment agency that refers temporary certified nurse assistants to an employer that is a long-term health care facility shall provide the employer with all of the following:
(a)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.541(a) Written verification that the employment agency has verified that any certified nurse assistant referred by the agency is registered on the state registry of certified nurse assistants and is in good standing. The employment agency shall provide to the employer the certified nurse assistant’s professional certification number and date of expiration.
(b)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.541(b) A statement that the certified nurse assistant has at least six months of experience working in a long-term health care facility.
(c)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.541(c) A statement that the certified nurse assistant has had a health examination within 90 days prior to employment with the employment agency or seven days after employment with the employment agency and at least annually thereafter by a person lawfully authorized to perform that procedure. Each examination shall include a medical history and physical evaluation. The employment agency shall also provide verification that the individual has had tuberculosis screening within 90 days prior to employment and annually thereafter.
(d)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.541(d) A statement that the certified nurse assistant will participate in the facility’s orientation program and any in-service training programs at the request of the long-term health care employer.
(e)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.541(e) A statement that a certified nurse assistant is in compliance with the in-service training requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1337.6 of the Health and Safety Code.

Section § 1812.542

Explanation

This law requires employment agencies that refer temporary licensed nurses to long-term care facilities to provide the facility with proof of the nurse's good standing with relevant nursing boards. They must also verify the nurse has passed a criminal background check and provide license details. Additionally, the agency must confirm the nurse has had a recent health exam, including a medical history, physical evaluation, and tuberculosis screening, and this must occur annually.

Every employment agency that refers temporary licensed nursing staff to an employer who is a licensed long-term health care facility shall provide the employer with all of the following:
(a)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.542(a) Written verification that the individual is in good standing with the Board of Registered Nursing or the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, as applicable, and has successfully secured a criminal record clearance. The employment agency shall provide to the employer the individual’s professional license and registration number and date of expiration.
(b)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.542(b) A statement that the licensed nursing staff person has had a health examination within 90 days prior to employment with the employment agency or seven days after employment with the employment agency and at least annually thereafter by a person lawfully authorized to perform that procedure. Each examination shall include a medical history and physical evaluation. The employment agency shall also provide verification that the individual has had tuberculosis screening within 90 days prior to employment and annually thereafter.

Section § 1812.543

Explanation

This law sets rules for employment agencies that refer temporary nursing staff to long-term care facilities. These agencies must have policies to prevent abuse of residents by temporary staff, and they must verify in writing that referred staff have no unresolved abuse allegations. Temporary staff cannot be in charge of a unit without proper orientation. Agencies must provide lists of referred staff during labor disputes if asked by health authorities. Finally, temporary staff must be clearly identified in the facility's posted staffing levels.

(a)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.543(a) An employment agency that makes referrals of licensed nursing staff or certified nurse assistants for temporary employment in a long-term health care facility shall adopt policies and procedures regarding prevention of resident or patient abuse by temporary staff.
(b)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.543(b) The employment agency shall provide written verification to the long-term health care facility that any certified nurse assistants or licensed nursing staff referred by the agency do not have any unresolved allegations against them involving the mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of a patient, including injuries of unknown source and misappropriation of resident property.
(c)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.543(c) No temporary staff person referred by an employment agency may be solely responsible for a unit unless that person has received a full orientation to the facility and the applicable unit for which he or she is assigned.
(d)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.543(d) Upon the request of the State Department of Health Services, an employment agency shall provide a list of temporary employees who have been referred to a specified facility during the period in which the facility is involved in a labor action.
(e)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.543(e) An employment agency shall require that any employee referred to a long-term care facility be identified as a temporary staff person in the facility’s daily staffing levels required to be posted in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 941 of Appendix F of Public Law 106-554 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395i-3(b)(8) and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395r(b)(8)).

Section § 1812.544

Explanation

This law requires employment agencies that refer licensed nursing staff or certified nurse assistants to maintain records of their advertisements for one year. They cannot claim to be a home health agency and must clearly inform employers that they are only an employment agency. Complaints about these employment agencies can be reported to relevant authorities for action.

(a)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.544(a) Every employment agency that makes referrals of licensed nursing staff or certified nurse assistants for temporary employment in a long-term health care facility shall maintain a record of all advertisements, showing the date of publication and the publication in which the advertisement appeared, for a period of one year from the date of the advertisement.
(b)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.544(b) No employment agency that makes referrals for employment to a long-term health care facility shall, by its name, advertisement, or any other representation, represent itself to be a home health agency, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 1727 of the Health and Safety Code, or to perform the services of a home health agency. The employment agency shall provide a written disclosure to each employer stating that it does not perform the services of a home health agency and clearly describing that it is an employment agency only.
(c)CA Civil Law Code § 1812.544(c) Any facility or individual may refer complaints concerning employment agencies which place licensed nursing staff or certified nurse assistants in long-term health care facilities to the appropriate licensing, certification, ombudsman, adult protective services, or proper law enforcement agency for action.