Wash. Admin. Code § 246-980-150 - Standards of practice

(1) A long-term care worker must demonstrate behavior which maintains and respects client or resident rights and safety. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) A long-term care worker may not solicit, accept or borrow money, material or property from a client or resident. This subsection does not apply to a long-term care worker who is in an established personal relationship with the client, preexisting the provision of services, where there is no evidence of exploiting the client.

(b) A long-term care worker may not accept from a client or resident gifts of value greater than twice the current hourly minimum wage in Washington state. Gifts are limited to customary gift-giving times, such as birthdays or major holidays. This subsection does not apply to a long-term care worker who is in an established personal relationship with the client, preexisting the provision of services, where there is no evidence of exploiting the client.

(c) A long-term care worker may not accept, borrow, or take alcohol or drugs (prescription or nonprescription), including marijuana, from a client or resident.

(d) A long-term care worker may not ingest, inject, inhale, or consume in any manner any substance, including prescribed medicine, that impairs their ability to perform their job duties during the time in which they are paid to provide care.

(e) A long-term care worker may not solicit or accept a role that gives them power over a client's or resident's finances, legal matters, property, or health care decisions. This includes, but is not limited to, acting as power of attorney, legal guardian, payee, insurance beneficiary, or executor or beneficiary of a will. This subsection does not apply to a long-term care worker who is in an established personal relationship with the client, preexisting the provision of services, where there is no evidence of exploiting the client.

(f) A long-term care worker may not be the landlord for a client or resident they provide care to. This does not apply to adult family homes licensed by the department of social and health services so long as the adult family home license is active and in good standing. This section does not apply to a long-term care worker who is in an established personal relationship with the client, preexisting the provision of services, where there is no evidence of exploiting the client.

(g) A long-term care worker shall respect a client's or resident's privacy and shall not take or disseminate photos or videos of a client or resident that do not respect the client's or resident's dignity and rights. This includes, but is not limited to, social media. A long-term care worker must obtain the written permission of the client or resident, or their legal guardian, prior to taking or disseminating any photo or video of the client or resident, unless the long-term care worker is in an established personal relationship with the client, preexisting the provision of services, where there is no evidence of exploiting the client.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "landlord" means having a formal, written lease agreement between the lessor and lessee. It does not apply to situations in which cohabitants voluntarily contribute financially to household expenses without a lease agreement.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 246-980-150

Adopted by WSR 18-20-072, Filed 9/28/2018, effective 10/29/2018