The nursing assistant-registered (NA-R)/nursing assistant-certified (NA-C) is not required to take telemedicine training. It is not within the scope of practice of the NA-R/NA-C to function as a clinical provider for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. The NA-R/NA-C must function under the direction and supervision of a nurse. The NA-R/NA-C may function in the role of telepresenter to facilitate the visit including supporting communications, clinical (within their scope of practice), and technical workflows through the tele-encounter process.
RCW 43.70.495 requires health care professionals who provide clinical services through telemedicine independently or under the direction of an authorized health care practitioner to complete telemedicine training. “Telemedicine” as defined in RCW 70.41.020(13) means, “the delivery of health care services through the use of interactive audio and video technology, permitting real-time communication between the patient at the originating site and the provider, for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment [but] does not include the use of audio-only telephone, facsimile, or email.”