.09 Training Program Approval.
A. Approval.
(1) Before a training program is offered, the dialysis technician training program shall be approved by the Board.
(2) Board approval of a dialysis technician training program is valid for 2 years.
B. Procedure for Initial Approval.
(1) At least 90 days before the proposed start date of the program, a program provider seeking initial approval of a dialysis technician training program shall:
(a) Submit to the Board a complete application on the form required by the Board;
(b) Demonstrate that the training program meets all the requirements of this regulation; and
(c) Provide any additional information requested by the Board during the Board’s review of the application.
(2) Board Action.
(a) Following receipt of a complete application, the Board’s professional staff may conduct a survey visit and submit a survey visit report to the Board.
(b) The Board shall:
(i) Approve a training program that meets all the requirements of this regulation; or
(ii) Deny approval of a training program that does not meet all the requirements of this regulation.
C. Ongoing Responsibilities.
(1) Board Approval of Substantial Program Changes.
(a) An approved dialysis technician training program shall obtain approval from the Board before making any substantial changes to the program.
(b) Substantial program changes include:
(i) Changes to faculty;
(ii) Significant changes to curriculum, including an increase or decrease in program hours and changes to the modality of teaching; and
(iii) Removal or addition of clinical facilities or classroom locations.
(2) An approved training program shall submit to the Board an annual report, on the form required by the Board, that includes:
(a) Statistics on enrollments;
(b) Program completions; and
(c) Attrition rates.
(3) The Board may make survey visits from time to time, without prior notice, to all approved dialysis technician training programs.
D. Renewal of Approval.
(1) Expiration. Unless renewed, Board approval of a training program expires 2 years from the last date of approval.
(2) Renewal application. At least 90 days before the date of expiration of approval, an approved training program applying for renewal shall submit:
(a) A complete application on the form required by the Board; and
(b) All accompanying documentation required by the application or requested by the Board.
(3) Survey visit. Following receipt of a renewal application, the Board’s professional staff may conduct an announced or unannounced on-site survey visit and submit a survey visit report to the Board.
(4) Board Action. The Board shall:
(a) Renew approval of a training program for another 2-year term if the training program meets the requirements of this regulation; or
(b) Initiate withdrawal proceedings in accordance with §E of this regulation if the training program fails to meet the requirements of this regulation.
(5) Enrollment. A training program that fails to renew its approval:
(a) Shall be listed on nonrenewed status in the Board’s records; and
(b) May not enroll any new students to the program following the expiration of approval.
E. Withdrawal of Approval.
(1) Notice of Deficiencies.
(a) If the Board determines that there is a basis for withdrawal of approval under §E(3) of this regulation, the Board shall issue a written notice of deficiencies to the training program.
(b) The notice of deficiencies shall notify the training program of the:
(i) Requirements with which the program has not complied;
(ii) Reasons for the Board’s determination; and
(iii) Requirement to submit a written plan of correction in accordance with §E(2) of this regulation.
(2) Plan of Correction.
(a) A training program shall submit a written plan of correction within 30 days of the date of the notice of deficiencies unless granted an extension by the Board for good cause.
(b) The written plan of correction shall:
(i) Address all deficiencies noted by the Board; and
(ii) Include dates of completion for correcting the deficiencies.
(c) The Board shall review the plan of correction and may approve or modify the dates of completion for correcting deficiencies.
(d) The training program shall correct the deficiencies within the time frame approved by the Board.
(3) Grounds for withdrawal. The Board may withdraw approval of a training program that:
(a) Fails to comply with any of the requirements of this regulation;
(b) Fails to correct deficiencies within the time frame approved by the Board; or
(c) Enrolls new students after expiration of approval.
(4) Procedure for Withdrawal.
(a) Before withdrawing approval of a training program, the Board shall:
(i) Notify the program of its intent to withdraw approval; and
(ii) Give the program an opportunity to request an evidentiary hearing before the Board.
(b) The notice of intent to withdraw approval and hearing shall comply with State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.
F. Reinstatement. A dialysis technician training program whose approval was withdrawn may apply for reinstatement of approval by submitting a reinstatement application demonstrating that the program meets all of the requirements of this regulation.
