# RCW 74.42.010: RCW 74.42.010: Definitions > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S010 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 74.42.010 - **Heading:** RCW 74.42.010: Definitions - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 010 ## Text Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Department" means the department of social and health services and the department's employees. (2) "Direct care staff" means the staffing domain identified and defined in the center[s] for medicare and medicaid services' five-star quality rating system and as reported through the center[s] for medicare and medicaid services' payroll-based journal. For purposes of calculating hours per resident day minimum staffing standards for facilities with sixty-one or more licensed beds, the director of nursing services classification (job title code five), as identified in the centers for medicare and medicaid services' payroll-based journal, shall not be used. For facilities with sixty or fewer beds the director of nursing services classification (job title code five) shall be included in calculating hours per resident day minimum staffing standards. (3) "Facility" refers to a nursing home as defined in RCW 18.51.010 . (4) "Geriatric behavioral health worker" means a person with a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, behavioral health, or other related areas, or a person who has received specialized training devoted to mental illness and treatment of older adults. (5) "Licensed practical nurse" means a person licensed to practice practical nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW. (6) "Medicaid" means Title XIX of the Social Security Act enacted by the social security amendments of 1965 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396; 79 Stat. 343), as amended. (7) "Nurse practitioner" means a person licensed to practice *advanced registered nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW. (8) "Nursing care" means that care provided by a registered nurse, an **advanced registered nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse, or a nursing assistant in the regular performance of their duties. (9) "Physician" means a person practicing pursuant to chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW, including, but not limited to, a physician employed by the facility as provided in chapter 18.51 RCW. (10) "Physician assistant" means a person practicing pursuant to chapter 18.71A RCW. (11) "Qualified therapist" means: (a) An activities specialist who has specialized education, training, or experience specified by the department. (b) An audiologist who is eligible for a certificate of clinical competence in audiology or who has the equivalent education and clinical experience. (c) A mental health professional as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW. (d) An intellectual disabilities professional who is a qualified therapist or a therapist approved by the department and has specialized training or one year experience in treating or working with persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. (e) An occupational therapist who is a graduate of a program in occupational therapy or who has equivalent education or training. (f) A physical therapist as defined in chapter 18.74 RCW. (g) A social worker as defined in RCW 18.320.010 (2). (h) A speech pathologist who is eligible for a certificate of clinical competence in speech pathology or who has equivalent education and clinical experience. (12) "Registered nurse" means a person licensed to practice registered nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW. (13) "Resident" means an individual residing in a nursing home, as defined in RCW 18.51.010 . ## Nearby sections - [RCW 74.42.010 RCW 74.42.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S010.md) - [RCW 74.42.020 RCW 74.42.020: Minimum standards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S020.md) - [RCW 74.42.030 RCW 74.42.030: Resident to receive statement of rights, rules, services, and charges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S030.md) - [RCW 74.42.040 RCW 74.42.040: Resident's rights regarding medical condition, care, and treatment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S040.md) - [RCW 74.42.050 RCW 74.42.050: Residents to be treated with consideration, respect—Complaints.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S050.md) - [RCW 74.42.055 RCW 74.42.055: Discrimination against medicaid recipients prohibited.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S055.md) - [RCW 74.42.056 RCW 74.42.056: Department assessment of medicaid eligible individuals—Requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S056.md) - [RCW 74.42.057 RCW 74.42.057: Notification regarding resident likely to become medicaid eligible.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S057.md) - [RCW 74.42.058 RCW 74.42.058: Department case management services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S058.md) - [RCW 74.42.060 RCW 74.42.060: Management of residents' financial affairs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S060.md) - [RCW 74.42.070 RCW 74.42.070: Privacy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S070.md) - [RCW 74.42.080 RCW 74.42.080: Confidentiality of records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S080.md) - [RCW 74.42.090 RCW 74.42.090: Work tasks by residents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S090.md) - [RCW 74.42.100 RCW 74.42.100: Personal mail.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S100.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T74_C42_S010. 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