The laws and rules found in Aging and Adult Service Section of WAC 388-78A (assisted living facilities) and 388-76 (adult family homes) define the qualifications required for an individual to perform the required pre-admission/resident assessment. An individual with a nursing license (licensed practical nurse or registered nurse) meets the qualifications to perform the pre-admission/resident assessment. Other professionals may also perform the pre-admission/resident assessment (WAC 388-76-10150 and WAC 388-78A-2080).
This pre-admission/resident assessment (screening tool) does not necessarily require the services of a professional licensed nurse or the use of the nursing process (WAC 246-840-700). The goal of the pre-admission/resident assessment is to determine the personal care services needs of a potential resident and at times, the nursing care needs of said resident. If a comprehensive nursing assessment is contemplated as part of the care plan, the registered nurse must undertake that portion of the pre-admission assessment.