4723-26-10 Standards of safe care provided by the community health worker.

(A) The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimal acceptable standards of safe and effective care provided by community health workers holding a certificate issued by the board of nursing pursuant to Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(B) A community health worker shall maintain knowledge of the duties, responsibilities, and accountabilities of a community health worker and shall practice in accordance with the following:

(1) Laws regulating the provision of care by a community health worker as set forth in Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code;

(2) Rules adopted by the board in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code; and

(3) Any other applicable state or federal laws and rules.

(C) A community health worker shall perform nursing tasks or activities in accordance with sections 4723.81 and 4723.82 of the Revised Code, only as delegated and supervised by a registered nurse holding a current, valid license issued by the board under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(D) A community health worker shall demonstrate competence and accountability in performing nursing tasks or activities as delegated by a registered nurse, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Consistent performance of nursing tasks or activities as delegated by a registered nurse; and

(2) Consulting with the supervising nurse in a timely manner to facilitate appropriate referral, consultation, or intervention when a community health worker identifies factors or conditions adversely affecting, or potentially affecting, a client’s health status.

(E) A community health worker shall, in a timely manner:

(1) Perform the nursing tasks or activities as delegated by a registered nurse, unless the community health worker believes or should have reason to believe any of the following:

(a) Performing the nursing task or activity is harmful or potentially harmful to the client;

(b) The nursing task or activity is contraindicated by other documented information;

(d) The nursing task or activity is not properly authorized; or

(e) The condition of the client has changed.

(2) Seek clarification of the appropriateness of any delegated nursing task or activity if the community health worker believes, or should have reason to believe, any of the following:

(a) Performing the nursing task or activity is harmful or potentially harmful to the client;

(b) The nursing task or activity is contraindicated by other documented information;

(d) The nursing task or activity is not properly authorized; or

(e) The condition of the client has changed.

(F) When clarifying the appropriateness of a nursing task or activity the community health worker shall, in a timely manner:

(1) Consult with the supervising registered nurse to explain the cause of concern;

(2) Advise the supervising registered nurse if the community health worker decides not to perform the nursing task or activity;

(3) Document that the supervising registered nurse was advised of the community health worker’s decision not to perform the nursing task or activity as delegated; and

(4) Take any other actions reasonable and appropriate to protect the safety of the client.

(G) A community health worker shall, in a timely manner, document, report to, and consult with, the supervising registered nurse when a client refuses to follow the health care regimen.

(H) A community health worker shall maintain the confidentiality of client information obtained in the course of the community health worker’s duties and responsibilities. A community health worker is not precluded from communicating appropriate client information to other members of the health care team for client care purposes only.

(I) A community health worker shall do all of the following to promote client safety:

(1) Display the applicable title set forth in section 4723.82 of the Revised Code at all times when providing direct client care;

(2) In a timely manner, completely and accurately document and report all client data obtained while performing nursing tasks or activities delegated by the supervising registered nurse, and the client’s response to the care;

(3) In a timely manner, completely and accurately document and report to the supervising registered nurse all errors in, or deviations from, the delegated nursing tasks or activities;

(4) Not falsify any client records or other documents prepared in the course of, or in conjunction with, the performance of delegated nursing tasks or activities;

(5) Implement reasonable and appropriate measures to provide a safe environment for the client including consulting with a supervising registered nurse any time that the community health worker suspects client abuse or neglect;

(6) Establish, delineate, and maintain professional boundaries with all clients;

(7) Refrain from all behavior that causes or may cause physical, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse or distress to a client, or in behavior that may be reasonably interpreted to cause physical, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse or distress;

(8) Not misappropriate a client’s property, engage in behavior to seek or obtain personal gain at the client’s expense, or engage in behavior that constitutes inappropriate involvement in a client’s personal relationships;

(9) Not engage in sexual misconduct or in conduct that may reasonably be interpreted as sexual, or in any verbal behavior that is seductive or sexually demeaning to a client, or in behavior that may reasonably be interpreted as seductive or sexually demeaning to a client; and

(10) Treat each client with courtesy, respect, and with full recognition of the dignity of each individual client.

For purposes of paragraphs (E)(8) and (E)(9) of this rule, a client is always considered to be incapable of giving free, full, or informed consent to the actions of a community health worker.

HISTORY: Eff 2-1-05

Rule promulgated under: RC 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4723.88

Rule Amplifies: 4723.81, 4723.82

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