Section 246-840-760. Definitions of terms used in WAC 246-840-750 through 246-840-780.

(1) "Approved substance abuse monitoring program" or "approved monitoring program" is a program the commission has determined meets the requirements of the law and the criteria established by the commission in WAC 246-840-770. The program enters into a contract with nurses who have substance abuse problems regarding the required components of the nurse's recovery activity and oversees the nurse's compliance with these requirements. Substance abuse monitoring programs do not provide evaluation or treatment to participating nurses.

(2) "Contract" is a comprehensive, structured agreement between the recovering nurse and the approved monitoring program wherein the nurse consents to comply with the monitoring program and its required components of the nurse's recovery activity.

(3) "Approved treatment facility" is a facility approved by the division of alcohol and substance abuse, department of social and health services according to chapter 70.96A RCW or RCW 69.54.030 to provide concentrated alcoholism or drug treatment if located within Washington state. Drug and alcohol treatment programs located out-of-state must be equivalent to the standards required for approval under chapter 70.96A RCW or RCW 69.54.030.

(4) "Substance abuse" means the impairment of a nurse's professional services by an addiction to, a dependency on, or the use of alcohol, legend drugs, or controlled substances.

(5) "Aftercare" is that period of time after intensive substance abuse treatment that provides the nurse and the nurse's family with group or individual counseling sessions, discussions with other families, ongoing contact and participation in self-help groups and ongoing continued support of treatment program staff.

(6) "Nurse support group" is a group of nurses meeting regularly to support the recovery of its members from substance abuse issues. The group provides a confidential setting with a trained and experienced nurse facilitator in which nurses may safely discuss drug diversion, licensure issues, return to work and other professional issues related to recovery.

(7) "Twelve-step groups" are groups such as alcoholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous, and related organizations based on a philosophy of anonymity, belief in a power outside of oneself, peer group association, and self-help.

(8) "Random drug screens" are laboratory tests to detect the presence of drugs of abuse in body fluids which are performed at irregular intervals not known in advance by the person to be tested.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110. WSR 08-11-019, § 246-840-760, filed 5/12/08, effective 6/12/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. WSR 97-13-100, § 246-840-760, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.]

RCW 18.79.110. WSR 08-11-019, § 246-840-760, filed 5/12/08, effective 6/12/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. WSR 97-13-100, § 246-840-760, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.

Rules

246-840-770,