As of April 3, 2023, submissions of Cultural Competency Training (CCT) courses for Nevada state-licensed health facilities are not being accepted or reviewed. Licensed health facilities must continue to train staff in accordance with the non-discrimination requirements (NRS 449.101 – NRS 449.104); a list of approved third-party trainings can be found below. Since these statutes do not require training to be repeated, once an individual health facility staff member receives the training from an approved program, it results in compliance with these laws and does not need to be repeated. Facility inspectors will continue to check employee files for proof of CCT and complaints will continue to be investigated where noncompliance with these laws is alleged.
In 2023, the Legislature passed AB 267, which revises cultural competency training in healthcare facilities. It requires the State Board of Health to establish regulations regarding the frequency of training. Employees or agents required to receive cultural competency training include those:
(1) who provide clinical, administrative or support services and regularly have direct patient contact as part of their regular job duties or (2) who oversee such agents and employees.
A healthcare facility is not required to provide cultural competency training to an agent or employee who has successfully completed a course of cultural competency as a part of the continuing education requirements for the agent or employee’s renewal of his or her professional license, registration, or certificate.
The Office of Minority Health and Equity of DHHS must establish and maintain a list of approved courses on cultural competency training, make the list available on the Internet, and ensure that it is distributed to healthcare facilities. Additionally, a healthcare facility may apply to the Department for approval of a program they wish to offer. The Department must report annually the average length of time it takes to approve training programs.
The bill sets forth the training requirements for various licensed health care providers.
- Nurse – 4 hours biennially
- Psychologist, marriage and family therapist, social worker, clinical professional counselor, or social worker – 6 hours biennially
- Alcohol and drug counselor or problem gambling counselor – 3 hours annually
- Behavior analysts and assistant behavioral analysts – 6 hours biennially
Click here to read the text of AB 267.
In 2019, the Legislature passed SB 470, which requires medical facilities to conduct training relating specifically to cultural competency so that staff may better understand patients or residents who have different cultural backgrounds. The training must be provided through a course or program that is approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH). Hospitals may create their own course, or have staff attend one of the approved courses listed on DPBH’s website: LGBTQ-Home (nv.gov).
Click here to read the text of SB 470.
In addition, SB 364 was also passed and requires facilities to carry out policies to prevent specific types of prohibited discrimination and post an antidiscrimination statement prominently in the facility on the website. SNFs must post prominently in the facility and on the website notice that a patient or resident may file a complaint with the Division, as well as the contact information for the Division. Training requirements are also outlined in this bill.
Click here to read the text of SB 364.
Click here to read the regulations.
In 2021, AB 327 was passed and requires certain mental health professionals to complete continuing education concerning cultural competency and diversity, equity and inclusion. This law requires psychiatrists, physician assistants practicing under the supervision of a psychiatrist, nurses, marriage and family therapists, clinical professional counselors, social workers, clinical alcohol and drug counselors, alcohol and drug counselors, problem gambling counselors, and behavior analysts to complete two hours of continuing education renew their professional licensure. Educational programs must be approved by the licensing board.
Nevada Rural Hospital Partners and the Nevada Hospital Association have put together a training that meets the requirements for AB 327 that has been approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing: Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Training and Education (nrhp.org). This training may meet the requirements for other licensing boards as well, but would need to be approved by them. This training does NOT meet the requirements for the medical facility training outlined in SB 470 (above).
Members may find the following field guide from the Joint Commission helpful: Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care