New mandatory continuing education on suicide prevention

By June 30, the state Department of Health must establish minimum standards for the newly required 6-hour Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management continuing education training. Here’s what you need to know about what’s required and when.

In response to the growing incidence of suicide in the state, the Washington legislature passed a new law in 2014 requiring that nurses and other health professionals complete mandatory 6 hours of continuing education in suicide assessment, treatment and management. In 2014, there were 1,119 deaths by suicide in Washington out of more than 42,700 suicide deaths in the U.S., according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics (www.cdc.gov/nchs).

The following is adapted from RCW 43.70.442 Suicide assessment, treatment, and management training — Requirement for certain professionals:

“Beginning January 1, 2016, each of the following professionals credentialed under Title 18 RCW shall complete a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management that is approved by the relevant disciplining authority: (including…) a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, or advanced registered nurse practitioner, other than a certified registered nurse anesthetist, licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW; … A professional listed in this subsection must complete the one-time training by the end of the first full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2016, or during the first full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.”

For example: if your reporting period for practice hours and continuing education was in 2014, your next reporting period is in 2017. Your next full reporting period is from 2017 to 2020. Therefore, your suicide prevention training is required prior to your license renewal in 2020.

The Nursing Commission issued the following statements in December 2015:

“The Washington State Department of Health is required to adopt rules establishing the minimum standards for the training programs by June 30, 2016. Beginning July 1, 2017, the training must be on the approved model list developed by the Washington State Department of Health. The course must include a portion devoted to working with veterans and assessment of issues related to imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors.”

The Nursing Commission has issued changes to the nursing continuing competency rules that can be found in WAC 246 840 220. This includes the mandatory 6-hour suicide prevention training requirement.

You are not required to submit documentation unless the Nursing Commission audits your license for practice hours and continuing education. You should be keeping a log of practice hours and continuing education to document compliance with legal requirements for licensure in Washington.

A current list of Model Programs for the 6-hour requirement for suicide assessment, treatment, and management (in-person and online) is posted on the Washington Department of Health website, doh.wa.gov. Search for “suicide prevention training.”

For additional questions, please contact the NCQAC Call Center at 360.236.4700.