The Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry Program or NARP provides the essential information that you need when it comes to certified nursing assistants. The program was created in response to the directives of the OBRA requiring all states to have a nurse aide registry. The program performs several functions which are intended to aid the needs of the public when it comes to health care services. It serves as a way to ensure that medical standards are being kept throughout the state and that the public can safely hire any nursing assistant who has the best capacity to perform these services.
Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry Program
99 Chauncy Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Telephone: (617) 753-8144
Nurse Aide Testing Office: (781) 979-4010
Testing Office Toll Free: (800) 962-4337
24 Hour Verification Status: (617) 753-8192
License Renewal: (617) 753-8144
The NARP has several functions to which they intend to serve the public. The first is to approve and monitor nursing aide training programs. The state imposed several requirements for nursing aid training facilities in order to make sure that the highest standards are being met to develop and train these health workers. They have to make sure that all operating training centers are inspected and checked for compliance to these standards and that they are delivering the required training from them.
Next, the registry program is also given the task of overseeing nursing aide competency evaluation program or certification exams. Thus they are the ones who will be promulgating the required skills and tests which shall be administered during the certification of nursing aides. They will also have a part in observing and checking these tests as required. This provides for a uniform standard of skills and knowledge that all nursing assistants should possess in order to work in the state.
The third, is the maintenance of the Nurse Aide Registry where all certified CNAs shall be recorded and be published for public use. They will be the ones to update the information contained in the registry including certification status, records of abuse or neglect, and other pertinent information regarding nurse aides.
The next job of the NARP is to supervise the renewal of nurse aide certification every two years. They will be the ones responsible for the receipt of the required documents which are needed in order for a nursing assistant to renew his or her license. They will also be responsible for the reimbursement of training and testing costs to the trainee who was able to comply with the state’s requirements. Aside from having the list of certified nursing assistants, they also maintain the list of accredited health care facilities which can be found in the state. One will be able to check the accredited and legal health care centers where they can seek medical assistance.
The state requires that all employers should check the certification status of nursing aides through the registry before hiring any of them. The directory listing is regularly updated and is a reliable source of such information. Nursing homes and other health care facilities are not allowed to hire a CNA if they have not contacted the NARP first and have ascertained the current certification of an applicant. This can be easily done as the registry can be accessed online. You can read more about MA nurse aide certification requirements here.