2010 West Virginia Code
CHAPTER 16. PUBLIC HEALTH
ARTICLE 5O. MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION BY UNLICENSED PERSONNEL.
§16-5O-5. Instruction and training.

§16-5O-5. Instruction and training.
(a) The office of health facility licensure and certification shall establish a council of nurses to represent the facilities and registered professional nurses affected by the provisions of this article. The council of nurses shall prepare a procedural manual and recommendations regarding a training course to the secretary of the department of health and human resources. The council shall meet every two years to review the training curricula, competency evaluation procedures and rules implemented by the secretary, and shall make recommendations as deemed necessary.

(b) The department shall develop and approve training curricula and competency evaluation procedures for facility staff members who administer medication pursuant to the provisions of this article. The department shall consider the recommendations of the council of nurses and shall consult with the West Virginia board of examiners for registered nurses in developing the training curricula and competency evaluation procedures.

(c) The program developed by the department shall require that any person who applies to act as a facility staff member authorized to administer medications pursuant to the provisions of this article shall:

(1) Hold a high school diploma or general education diploma;

(2) Be trained or certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid;

(3) Participate in the initial training program developed bythe department;

(4) Pass a competency evaluation developed by the department; and

(5) Subsequent to initial training and evaluation, participate in a retraining program every two years.

(d) Any facility may offer the training and competency evaluation program developed by the department to its facility staff members. The training and competency programs shall be provided by the facility through a registered professional nurse.

(e) A registered nurse who is authorized to train facility staff members to administer medications in facilities shall:

(1) Possess a current active West Virginia license in good standing to practice as a registered nurse;

(2) Have practiced as a registered professional nurse in a position or capacity requiring knowledge of medications for the immediate two years prior to being authorized to train facility staff members; and

(3) Be familiar with the nursing care needs of residents of facilities as described in this article.