§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)]