November 25, 2019
Increasing the number of CNAs in Maine through collaboration
The Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistant and Direct Care Workers (the "CNA Registry"), in partnership with other key stakeholders, has been working for the past year to increase the number of active Certified Nursing Assistants ("CNA") in Maine. The CNA Registry has identified barriers faced by out-of-state CNA applicants who are looking to work in Maine and is working to implement changes to reduce those barriers. These efforts will help to address the state's health workforce challenges, which is a top economic priority of Governor Mills, a central issue for the Department, and the focus of the Long-Term Care Workforce Commission, on which DHHS Commissioner Lambrew serves.
DHHS's Division of Licensing and Certification maintains a CNA Registry (the "Registry"), per state and federal requirements. Over the last eight years, the Registry has included approximately 14,000 active CNAs in the state. Following the revision of eligibility criteria for listing of CNAs trained out of state, the Registry has increased the number of out-of-state approvals to 1,200 this past year. The Registry now includes 15,118 active CNAs.
One of the changes that benefited the CNA Registry was the result of a Board of Nursing initiated work group organized to review Chapter 5, Regulations Relating to Training Programs and Delegation by Registered Professional Nurses of Selected Nursing Tasks to Certified Nursing Assistants and the CNA Curriculum. As part of that review, the Board of Nursing revised the requirements for certified nursing assistants in other states to apply for and be listed on the Maine Registry for Certified Nursing Assistants. This revision addressed one of the challenges faced by many out-of-state CNA applicants seeking to work in Maine. Prior to this revision, the Registry only approved 100 to 125 out-of-state CNA reciprocity applications, limiting the ability of health care facilities and agencies to bring in out-of-state temporary staff to help address workforce shortfalls.
DHHS's Division of Licensing and Certification also launched a new online Registry in May 2019. This change allows CNAs to apply and renew their licenses at their own convenience. With an increasing number of individuals opting to use the online portal, application processing times have dropped from 4-5 days to an average of 2 days.
In June, new regulations also went into effect to offer greater clarity on the waiver, appeal, and disqualification processes, and to update the Registry content. Additionally, these rules expand the scope of the Registry to include Direct Care Workers. The net effect of these changes is a more concise and effective tool for employers to make hiring decisions.
Updated on December 20, 2019