Temporary Nurse Aide Training Program Extended in Minnesota
Minnesota's statewide request to extend the temporary nurse aide training program has been approved, allowing caregivers to continue serving seniors.
Nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver now have until April 5, 2023, or the end of the public health emergency, whichever date comes first, to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.
Background
On June 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) terminated a critical COVID-19 waiver allowing temporary nurse aides to serve seniors without being on the Nursing Assistant Registry. Individuals had four months starting from the end of the blanket waiver to complete the required training and certification.
Waiver Extension Request Was Approved
Last month, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) requested a statewide waiver to extend the temporary nurse aide training program that is currently set to expire in response to a revised QSO 22-15 CMS memo.
On Oct. 5, one day before the deadline, CMS approved Minnesota's waiver extension request. The extension of this waiver allows providers more time and flexibility to transition caregivers to be placed on the Nursing Assistant Registry.
The approval is valid until April 5, 2023 (180 Days) or until the end of the public health emergency, currently set to expire on Oct. 15, whichever date comes first for Minnesota. MDH will send out additional approval information in the coming days.
Pathways to Become Certified
Caregivers who were hired or worked under the 1135 Waiver should take steps toward becoming registered as soon as possible. MDH provides three different pathways for this transition:
- Pathway 1: Enroll in and complete a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) and pass the exam.
- Pathway 2: Enroll in a NATCEP training program, but take advantage of the MDH Transition Pathway. This pathway allows facilities to credit training received while working under the waiver towards the required 75-hour training. Individuals must still enroll in a NATCEP program to meet the training requirements and pass the exam.
- Pathway 3: Choose not to enroll in a NATCEP program but challenge and pass the exam.
For questions regarding this waiver extension, please reach out to Anna Mowry, Director of Workforce Solutions at LeadingAge Minnesota.
Join Our Association of Aging Services Professionals
Together, we are enhancing the experience of aging for Minnesota's seniors.
Become a Member