4723-26-09 Supervision of the performance of a delegable nursing task or activity performed by a community health worker.

(A) When a community health worker is performing a delegable nursing task or activity in accordance with this chapter, supervision shall be provided by a registered nurse. For purposes of this rule, supervision includes initial and ongoing direction, procedural guidance, and observation and evaluation. The registered nurse providing the supervision for a delegated nursing task or activity shall evaluate and document the following on an ongoing basis:

(1) The degree to which the nursing care needs of the individual are being met;

(2) The performance by the community health worker of the delegated nursing task or activity;

(3) The need for further instruction to the community health worker to whom the nursing task or activity is delegated; and

(4) The need to withdraw the delegation.

(B) For purposes of providing supervision to a community health worker performing a delegated nursing task or activity, the registered nurse must be either:

(1) Continually accessible to the community health worker in person; or

(2) Continually available to the community health worker by some form of telecommunication.

(C) In determining the number of community health workers that a registered nurse may supervise, the registered nurse shall consider all of the following:

(1) A registered nurse may not supervise any more than five community health workers at one given time;

(2) The number of clients who require nursing care and the health status of those clients;

(3) The types and numbers of nursing tasks or activities to be delegated to each community health worker;

(4) The competency, dependability, and reliability of each community health worker to be supervised;

(5) The number of different settings in which the community health workers will be providing services and the proximity between these settings and the location of the registered nurse; and

(6) The availability of emergency aid if the registered nurse is not able to reach, in a timely manner, the setting in which the community health workers are providing services.

HISTORY: Eff 2-1-05

Rule promulgated under: RC 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4723.88

Rule Amplifies: 4723.82

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 02/01/2010