SB 470

This bill creates a dementia specialist certification program. If a nurse aide or

a person designated by a care provider to coordinate and supervise resident activities

attends an appropriate instructional program, completes a competency evaluation,

and pays a certification fee, the Department of Health Services (DHS) must certify

him or her as a dementia specialist. A certificate as a dementia specialist is valid for

two years. To renew the certificate, a person must provide proof to DHS of four hours

of continuing education. No person may use the title "dementia specialist" or

"certified dementia specialist" unless he or she is certified by DHS.

The bill requires DHS to establish standards for a curriculum for the

instructional program, which includes certain instructional topics. The

instructional program must consist of at least 40 hours and must include both

classroom and clinical instruction. DHS approves instructional programs that meet

the standards DHS established and reviews each program at least once every two

years. DHS may suspend or revoke an instructional program that fails to satisfy the

standards.

Under the bill, DHS approves competency evaluations that meet its standards,

and may suspend or revoke a competency evaluation program that fails to meet the

standards.