(3) HHSC verifies the accreditation of the high school
that issued the diploma or transcript, or the testing service or program
that certified the GED test required by paragraph (1)(A)(ii) of this
subsection. If HHSC is unable to verify the accreditation status of
the school, testing service, or program, and HHSC requests additional
documentation from the applicant to verify the accreditation status,
the applicant must provide the documentation to HHSC.
(4) HHSC sends a notice listing the additional materials
required to an applicant who does not complete the application. An
application not completed within 30 days after the date of the notice
will be void.
(5) HHSC sends notice of application acceptance, disapproval,
or deficiency in accordance with subsection (q) of this section.
(j) Examination. HHSC gives a written examination to
each applicant at a site HHSC determines.
(1) No final examination may be given to an applicant
until the applicant has met the requirements of subsections (e) and
(i) of this section, and if applicable, subsections (f), (g), or (h)
of this section.
(2) An applicant with a disability, including an applicant
with dyslexia as defined in Texas Education Code §51.970 (relating
to Instructional Material for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
and Students with Dyslexia), may request a reasonable accommodation
for the examination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(3) The applicant must be tested on the subjects taught
in the training program curricula and clinical experience. The examination
covers an applicant's knowledge of accurate and safe drug therapy
to clients.
(4) A training program must notify HHSC at least four
weeks before its requested examination date.
(5) HHSC determines the passing grade on the examination.
(6) HHSC notifies in writing an applicant who fails
the examination.
(A) HHSC may give an applicant under subsection (e)
of this section one subsequent examination, without additional payment
of a fee, upon the applicant's written request to HHSC.
(B) A subsequent examination must be completed by the
date given on the failure notification. HHSC determines the site of
the examination.
(C) Another examination will not be permitted if the
student fails the subsequent examination unless the student enrolls
and successfully completes another training program.
(7) An applicant who is unable to attend the applicant's
scheduled examination due to unforeseen circumstances may be given
an examination at another time without payment of an additional fee
upon the applicant's written request to HHSC. The examination must
be completed within 45 days from the date of the originally scheduled
examination. HHSC determines the site for the rescheduled examination.
(8) An applicant whose application for a permit will
be disapproved under subsection (k) of this section is ineligible
to take the examination.
(k) Determination of eligibility. HHSC approves or
disapproves all applications. HHSC sends notices of application approval,
disapproval, or deficiency in accordance with subsection (q) of this
section.
(1) HHSC denies an application for a permit if the
person has:
(A) not met the requirements of subsections (e) - (i)
of this section, if applicable;
(B) failed to pass the examination prescribed by HHSC
as set out in subsection (j) of this section;
(C) failed to or refused to properly complete or submit
any application form, endorsement, or fee, or deliberately presented
false information on any form or document required by HHSC;
(D) violated or conspired to violate the Texas Health
and Safety Code, Chapter 142, Subchapter B, or any provision of this
chapter; or
(E) has a criminal history that HHSC determines is
a basis for denying the permit under §557.121 of this chapter
(relating to Permitting of Persons with Criminal Backgrounds).
(2) If, after review, HHSC determines that the application
should not be approved, HHSC gives the applicant written notice of
the reason for the proposed decision and of the opportunity for a
formal hearing in accordance with subsection (r) of this section.
(l) Medication aide. Home health medication aides must
comply with the following permit renewal requirements.
(1) When issued, a permit is valid for one year.
(2) A medication aide must renew the permit annually.
(3) The renewal date of a permit is the last day of
the current permit.
(4) Each medication aide is responsible for renewing
the permit before the expiration date. Failure to receive notification
from HHSC before the expiration date of the permit does not excuse
the medication aide's failure to file for timely renewal.
(5) A medication aide must complete a seven hour continuing
education program approved by HHSC before expiration of the permit
in order to renew the permit. Continuing education hours are not required
for the first renewal. After a permit is renewed for the first time,
the medication aide must earn approved continuing education hours
to have the permit renewed again.
(6) HHSC denies renewal of the permit of a medication
aide who is in violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter
142, Subchapter B, or this chapter at the time of application for
renewal.
(7) HHSC denies renewal of the permit of a medication
aide who has been convicted of a criminal offense listed in Texas
Health and Safety Code §250.006(a), or convicted of a criminal
offense listed in Texas Health and Safety Code §250.006(b) within
five years before the date HHSC receives the renewal application.
(8) HHSC denies renewal of the permit of a medication
aide who is listed as unemployable on the EMR.
(9) Home health medication aide permit renewal procedures
are as follows.
(A) At least 30 days before the expiration date of
a permit, HHSC sends to the medication aide at the address in HHSC
records notice of the expiration date of the permit and the amount
of the renewal fee due and a renewal form that the medication aide
must complete and return with the required renewal fee.
(B) The renewal form must include the preferred mailing
address of the medication aide. It must be signed by the medication
aide.
(C) Medication aides will be required to submit fingerprints
for a Federal Bureau of Investigations criminal background check to
the Texas Department of Public Safety, if not submitted previously.
(D) HHSC issues a renewal permit to a medication aide
who has met all requirements for renewal.
(E) HHSC does not renew a permit if the medication
aide does not complete the required seven-hour continuing education
requirement. Successful completion is determined by the student's
instructor. An individual who does not meet the continuing education
requirement must complete a new program, application, and examination
in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(F) HHSC does not renew a permit if renewal is prohibited
by the Texas Education Code §57.491, concerning defaults on guaranteed
student loans.
(G) If a medication aide fails to timely renew his
or her permit because the medication aide is or was on active duty
with the armed forces of the United States of America serving outside
the State of Texas, the medication aide may renew the permit pursuant
to this subparagraph.
(i) Renewal of the permit may be requested by the medication
aide, the medication aide's spouse, or an individual having power
of attorney from the medication aide. The renewal form must include
a current address and telephone number for the individual requesting
the renewal.
(ii) Renewal may be requested before or after the expiration
of the permit.
(iii) A copy of the official orders or other official
military documentation showing that the medication aide is or was
on active military duty serving outside the State of Texas must be
filed with HHSC along with the renewal form.
(iv) A copy of the power of attorney from the medication
aide must be filed with HHSC along with the renewal form if the individual
having the power of attorney executes any of the documents required
in this subparagraph.
(v) A medication aide renewing under this subparagraph
must pay the applicable renewal fee.
(vi) A medication aide is not authorized to act as
a home health medication aide after the expiration of the permit unless
and until the medication aide actually renews the permit.
Cont'd... |