The CMS October 6, 2022, deadline that requires all NARs hired before June 6, 2022, to be trained, have passed testing (both written and skills), and have an active NAC credential from the Department of Health is fast approaching.

All NARs that have not completed an approved NAC training program must be currently enrolled in a program. These individuals need to ensure their application has been submitted to DOH. If you have staff that have completed the class, it is imperative that they are taking their written exam as soon as possible. Do not wait. Getting these staff trained, tested and credentialed is of primary importance.

As many of you have experienced, the skills exam is of utmost concern. Testing for the skills exam remains a barrier to meeting the October 2022 deadline due to lack of access to testing sites and cancellations.

WHCA is working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure skilled nursing facility care staff are first in line to take the skills exam. Once mass testing sites and dates are set, DOH representatives will be reaching out to SNF providers in the local area to determine the number of care staff needing the skills exam. These caregivers must have already completed their training program and passed their written exam before taking this skills test. With your help, we can compile a list of contacts and get your staff tested and credentialed before the deadline.

To ensure that enough skills testing sites are created and enough evaluators are available for mass skills testing events, information must be gathered from each SNF regarding the total number of NARs needing to complete the skills exam. Please click the link below to identify the name and contact information of the employee in your SNF that is responsible for knowing this information. A representative from the nursing commission or testing center will be in touch with this individual to learn details on the total number of NARs needing testing and help to arrange testing locations/times once they become available.

WHCA continues to meet with Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) leaders regarding the ongoing needs of LTC facilities related to testing supplies and resources. All facilities should have testing resources available to meet their staff and resident needs. Planning for COVID response and potential outbreak surges as we move into the autumn and winter months will be important for facility emergency planning.

Facilities unable to obtain antigen rapid response COVID testing supplies should continue to reach out to their designated local health jurisdiction (LHJ).

The DOH continues to have COVID PCR testing supplies available through the DOH ordering portal. State contracted labs remain funded for PCR testing. The five labs contracted with DOH to support PCR testing for priority facilities, alongside the state Public Health Lab, are UW Labs, NW Pathology, Atlas Genomics, Molecular Labs, and Altius Laboratories. If you have questions, please contact the DOH.

The Department of Health (DOH) continues to enhance care continuum supports for skilled nursing facilities to help improve adult vaccine access and equity. The DOH values the significant contributions made by skilled nursing providers, and remains committed to supporting providers in this important work. They would like to know your needs and challenges and invite you to provide input through this survey. The survey will be open through July 28, 2022. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for participating; your feedback will help provide the best possible supports from the DOH.

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the declaration that a public health emergency (PHE) exists. This was effective July 15, 2022, and will continue for 90 days pursuant to federal law.

PHE renewal through mid-October is welcome news. It provides for the uninterrupted continuation of several flexibilities that have protected beneficiary access to important services in as safe and effective a manner as possible.

With this renewal:

The Department of Health continues to host weekly calls for healthcare workers in long term care providing insight, resources, answers, and opportunity for feedback and concerns. They began their new series on July 7, and the calls will run through Octobera27. If you have already registered once for these calls, you do not need to register again. Please be sure your email address is correct in the system. If you are not registered, you may do so here to receive updated participation information, slides, and reminders for these informational calls. Please note there will be no call on July 28, August 11, or August 25.

In a previous Dear Administrator letter to providers/administrators dated September 2, 2021, information was shared regarding the Rapid Response Team and the process for requesting short-term staffing. This free service has been extended through Septembera30, 2022. The process for requesting short-term staffing remains the same.

WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.