Continuing Education - County Medical Facilities - Health & Safety - CA

Section § 1496

This section defines key terms related to continuing education programs for health workers. A "continuing education program" is an educational initiative to enhance the knowledge and skills of health professionals. A "licensed health worker" is anyone whose healthcare job requires a state license. A "non-county-employed health worker" works in non-county health facilities where these programs are available. Lastly, a "nonlicensed health worker" fulfills tasks in health settings that don't require a license.

As used in this article:

(a) “Continuing education program” means educational programs designed to increase the knowledge and skills of health workers.

(b) “Licensed health worker” means any person who works in a health profession that requires licensure under the laws of California.

(c) “Non-county-employed health worker” means any person employed in a health facility, other than a county-operated health facility, in a county in which a continuing education program is offered or is to be offered.

(d) “Nonlicensed health worker” means any person who performs duties in a health facility and who is not required to be licensed to perform such duties under the laws of California.

continuing education program licensed health worker non-county-employed health worker ...

Section § 1496.5

This section allows counties to organize ongoing education programs for health workers who are not employed by the county, whether they are licensed or not.

Any county may conduct continuing education programs for non-county-employed licensed health workers or non-county-employed nonlicensed health workers as prescribed in this article.

continuing education programs county health programs non-county-employed health workers ...

Section § 1497

This law allows county health facilities in California to have their staff conduct continuing education programs for healthcare workers, even if those workers aren't employed by the county. These facilities include hospitals, mental health facilities, and other public health spaces.

Additionally, a county can partner with educational institutions or other health facilities to offer these continuing education programs.

(a) Any county health facility, including, but not limited to, hospitals, mental health facilities, and other public health facilities, may utilize its county staff personnel to conduct continuing education programs for non-county-employed licensed health workers or non-county-employed nonlicensed health workers.

(b) A county may contract with a community college, college, university, hospital, or other health facility for purposes of conducting continuing education programs pursuant to this article.

county health facility continuing education programs licensed health workers ...

Section § 1497.5

This law requires counties in California that offer continuing education programs to charge fees to cover the costs of these programs. If the county receives federal funding for these programs, the fees can be reduced accordingly.

The money collected from these fees must go into a special fund dedicated solely to supporting and improving these continuing education programs.

(a) Any county conducting continuing educational programs pursuant to this article shall charge and collect fees sufficient to defray the cost of such instruction and training. Such fees may be reduced to the extent of any federal funds obtained by the county for the purpose of providing such instruction and training.

(b) Any fees collected pursuant to this section shall be placed in a continuing education program fund of the county. The revenue in such a fund shall be used for the sole purpose of supporting and continually upgrading such continuing educational programs.

county continuing education educational program fees fee collection ...

Section § 1498

Counties running a continuing education program must keep track of who attends and the credits participants earn. If someone asks, the county has to provide copies of this attendance information, but the requester has to cover the copying costs.

Any county conducting a continuing education program pursuant to this article shall maintain individual records of attendance and the number of continuing education units earned by participants, if any, in such program. Copies of such information shall be made available upon request and at the cost of reproduction to participants in such program.

continuing education program attendance records continuing education units ...