§457A-1 Findings and purpose. (a) The legislature recognizes that 42 United States Code §1395i-3 and §1396R require nurse aides working in nursing facilities participating in medicare and medicaid programs to be certified. This chapter implements 42 United States Code §1395i-3 and §1396R with respect to:
(1) Establishing the State's regulatory scheme for certifying nurse aides;
(2) Defining the scope of regulation;
(3) Establishing standards for certification and biennial recertification; and
(4) Establishing an interagency agreement between the state agencies responsible for various aspects of the program.
(b) As used in this chapter, "nurse aide" means a person who performs a variety of duties relating to patients and patient care under the supervision of a nurse, including but not limited to assisting patients in all activities of daily living such as serving and collecting food trays, and helping patients get out of bed, bathe, and dress. A nurse aide may also assist a nurse by changing bed linens, delivering messages, and sterilizing instruments. [L 1990, c 271, pt of §1; am L 1994, c 185, §3(1)]