LA County Nursing Staff Achieve Improvements in Competency Test

SEIU Local 721 health care member leaders are committed to helping to ensure that the upcoming competency testing for DHS nursing staff is fair, equitable and successful. We are working hard to protect members’ rights to advance practice sessions and support for remediation; and to oppose inappropriate discipline. We will continue to work to make sure that this is a high-quality process that gives nursing staff every opportunity to succeed. If you have any concerns about the test, speak to your nurse manager; if it is not resolved, contact your facility CNO. You can also contact the Union’s Member Resource Center at (877) 721-4968. About the Test There are three sections of the test: Section I, which focuses on areas including Infection Control and HIPAA, is an open-book, written test. It contains 30 questions and requires a 75% rate to pass. Section II, for licensed staff only is a written, closed-book test, focused on medication calculation and medication safety. Both components have ten questions each; staff must correctly answer eight out of ten on both parts in order to pass. Section III is Performance Simulation/Stations, including Restraints and Mock Codes. All nursing staff should read the self-study guide in order to prepare for the test. If nursing staff want time to practice for the test, which would be on County time, they should request the time from their supervisor. If there is a problem arranging for practice time, staff should contact their facility CNO. The first facility to roll out the standardized test will be LAC+USC. Practice sessions are available effective April 6-May 15 (weekdays) as well as Saturdays April 11 and April 18. Testing will start April 13 and run through May 15 (weekdays). Remediation and further practice, for those who require it, will start April 20 and run through May 15 (weekdays). Retesting, for those who require it, will start April 27 and run through May 15. All sessions include hours for evening and night shift staff. Nurse Managers will work collaboratively with employees to schedule both practice and training. If individual staff want to make adjustments to their practice or training schedules they can make arrangements to do so with their supervisor. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the SEIU Local 721 Member Resource Center at 1-877-721-4YOU.