Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

     (1) "Department" means the department of social and health services and the department's employees.

     (2) "Facility" refers to a nursing home as defined in RCW 18.51.010.

     (3) "Licensed practical nurse" means a person licensed to practice practical nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW.

     (4) "Medicaid" means Title XIX of the Social Security Act enacted by the social security amendments of 1965 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396; 79 Stat. 343), as amended.

     (5) "Nursing care" means that care provided by a registered nurse, an advanced registered nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse, or a nursing assistant in the regular performance of their duties.

     (6) "Qualified therapist" means:

     (a) An activities specialist who has specialized education, training, or experience specified by the department.

     (b) An audiologist who is eligible for a certificate of clinical competence in audiology or who has the equivalent education and clinical experience.

     (c) A mental health professional as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW.

     (d) A mental retardation professional who is a qualified therapist or a therapist approved by the department and has specialized training or one year experience in treating or working with the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled.

     (e) An occupational therapist who is a graduate of a program in occupational therapy or who has equivalent education or training.

     (f) A physical therapist as defined in chapter 18.74 RCW.

     (g) A social worker who is a graduate of a school of social work.

     (h) A speech pathologist who is eligible for a certificate of clinical competence in speech pathology or who has equivalent education and clinical experience.

     (7) "Registered nurse" means a person licensed to practice registered nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW.

     (8) "Resident" means an individual residing in a nursing home, as defined in RCW 18.51.010.

     (9) "Physician assistant" means a person practicing pursuant to chapters 18.57A and 18.71A RCW.

     (10) "Nurse practitioner" means a person licensed to practice advanced registered nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW.

[1994 sp.s. c 9 § 750; 1993 c 508 § 4; 1979 ex.s. c 211 § 1.]

NOTES:

     Severability -- Headings and captions not law -- Effective date -- 1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.

     Section captions -- Severability -- Effective date -- 1993 c 508: See RCW 74.39A.900 through 74.39A.903.