Opening a Traditional or Alternative “Bridge” Program
Before you decide whether to apply to open a traditional or alternative “bridge” training program, review the requirements for opening and operating training programs in WAC 246-841A.
Then, use these five key steps to apply:
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Step 1: Attend an Online Required Orientation Before Submitting Your Application
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If you plan to open a traditional or alternative “bridge” program, you must attend an online orientation prior to submitting your application. The orientation will give you the information you need to make the application process more efficient.
New Program Orientation Offerings Schedule
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Starting November: Join the meeting now
- Meeting ID: 283 207 103 95
- Passcode: Uzza6N
- Dial in by phone: (564) 999-2000, (833) 322-1218 (Toll-free)
- Phone conference ID: 319 450 115#
**Please note that any orientation scheduled for a state holiday will be cancelled for that month.
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Starting November: Join the meeting now
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Step 2: Complete the Required Program Application and Personnel Applications
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- Complete the Program Application form and all required attachments. The Program Application form lists required attachments, and WABON’s website provides helpful templates for many of them.
- Also, complete and submit the forms required to add personnel to your program. The program must submit all required forms for the program director, the program instructor, and the program owner(s).
- Submit all required documents in one submission to WABONNursingAssistantsED@doh.wa.gov.
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Step 3: Complete the Required Program Application Attachments and Templates
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You must apply to use the common curriculum framework used in Washington. After you attend a common curriculum orientation session, WABON will send you a template for developing your common curriculum implementation plan. Email WABONNursingAssistantsED@doh.wa.gov for the dates and links for upcoming orientation sessions.
In addition, the Program Application form provides a complete list of required attachments. Templates are available for the following required application attachments:
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Step 4: Obtain Verification of Approval from Your Co-Approving Agency
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Depending on the classification of your organization, you have one of the following co-approving agencies:
- College Programs: Require approval by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to operate.
- High Schools/Skills Center Programs: Require approval by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to operate.
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Nursing Home Programs: Require approval by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Note: Lack of a DSHS sanction signifies DSHS approval.
- Private Vocational School Programs: All other programs fall under the private vocational school classification and require approval by or a waiver from the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTB).
WABON is unable to finalize approval of a nursing assistant training program if the organization does not have the approval of its co-approving agency. Dual agency approval of nursing assistant training programs is required to operate a nursing assistant training program.
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Step 5: Email All the Documents As One Complete Application
- Email all the documents as one complete application to WABONNursingAssistantsED@doh.wa.gov.
WABON staff will review your application materials as quickly as possible. They will contact you if they have questions for clarification or need additional materials.
WABON’s Nursing Assistant Program Approval Panel (NAPAP) will provide the final review and decision regarding your program application. NAPAP meets on the 2nd Monday of each month and requires review materials one week before its meetings.
Common Curriculum Framework Materials
Common Curriculum Framework Materials are available for each type of nursing assistant training program:
- Traditional
- Alternative “bridge” for certified home care aides
- Alternative “bridge” for certified medical assistants
To gain access to the materials for traditional and alternative “bridge” training, you need to first attend an online required orientation.
All currently approved programs must apply to use the common curriculum framework by May 3, 2024, as part of the program renewal process following Washington Administrative Code (WAC 246-841A-420 and WAC 246-841A-440).
If you plan to open a traditional or alternative “bridge” program, you must attend the online orientation to gain access to and apply to use the required common curriculum framework materials.
Common Curriculum Orientation Offerings
The Common Curriculum orientation is offered once a month on the 3rd Friday of each month from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.**
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Starting November: Join the meeting now
- Meeting ID: 256 663 789 672
- Passcode: rtVsA5
- Dial in by phone: +1 564-999-2000, (833) 322-1218 (Toll-free)
- Phone conference ID: 670 146 636#
** Please note that any orientation scheduled for a state holiday will be cancelled for that month.
For orientation session dates, times, and links, please email WABONNursingAssistantsED@doh.wa.gov.