Greetings!

This message includes:
  • information about the Governor's Executive Order for Temporary Nurse Aides to Certified Nurse Aides (TNA2CNA); and
  • a VDH update on BD Veritor point of care antigen tests. 

Sincerely,

April Payne, MBA, LNHA
Vice President of Quality Improvement | Director of VCAL
Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living 
Temporary Nurse Aides to Certified Nurse Aides (TNA2CNA) Pursuant to Executive Orders
 
Pursuant to the third amendment to Executive Order (EO) 57, Temporary Nurse Aides (TNA) practicing in long term care facilities under the federal Public Health Emergency 1135 Waiver may be deemed eligible by the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON) to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) examination. To be considered for the NNAAP, the TNA must first complete an application through PearsonVUE and the employer must provide written verification (Attestation) of competency and employment as a TNA.

Important points to consider for TNAs that are considering applying for and taking the NNAAP:

EO 57 is limited in time duration to EO 51, which is the emergency declaration related to COVID -19 pandemic. EO 51 does not have a specific end date but the Governor can amend EO 51 to establish an end date. When that occurs, the end date of EO 51 will also become the end date of EO 57. Accordingly, the VBON can only act on fully completed applications and provide deemed eligibility to test during the time EO 57 remains in effect. An overview of the TNA2CNA process is outlined below:

  • Employer must provide an Attestation to the VBON stating the TNA has been deemed competent and is working at their facility as a TNA.
  • If the candidate is unsuccessful on the exam, pursuant to regulation, three (3) attempts are permitted in an effort to become successful. If the applicant is not successful in 3 attempts on the exam or EO 51 expires prior to success on the exam the TNA application will expire and no further testing will be permitted for the TNA.
  • The facility may consider purchasing vouchers through PearsonVUE for the TNA to take the NNAAP. Vouchers expire 1 year from the date of purchase.
  • The candidate handbook provides information regarding the test and will assist in increasing the TNAs awareness of what to expect during testing.
  • The program code for the TNA2CNA applicants is for use by facility administrators and Directors of Nursing only.
  • The VBON will begin accepting TNA applications after April 12, 2021. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to April Payne.
BD Veritor point of care antigen tests – VDH update 
 
VDH was informed this week from Becton Dickinson (BD) that BD is seeking an expiration date extension on its antigen test devices. BD Veritor test devices sent out recently from VDH have expiration dates in either April or early May 2021. Please note there is NO guarantee the expiration date extension will actually take place. For now, we ask organizations that represent long term care facilities or care providers to advise their membership to hold on to expired BD Veritor tests for the present time. At this time, expired tests should NOT be used. Please set them aside so they are not used by accident. At this time, VDH does not have a definitive timeline about when a final decision will be made regarding the request for an extension of the test expiration date. VHCA-VCAL will keep you informed as more information is provided.  
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