(I) resource coordination;(J) outreach; and
(K) promotion.
(3) An applicant who has 4,000 hours or more experience as a community health worker shall:
(a) complete an application designed by the department;
(b) sign a statement agreeing to abide by the Code of Ethics of the Utah Community Health Workers Association (UCHWA), approved by the 2022 UCHWA board, which is incorporated by reference in this rule; and
(c) pay the established certification fee set by the department.
R380-350-4. Notification of Expiring Certification.
(1) In accordance with Section 26B-2-507, the department shall notify each state certified community health worker through the email on file with the Office of Health Equity when the certification is due for renewal.
(2) The department shall inform state certified community health workers via email six months before their certification expires with an additional reminder one month before their certification expires.
(3) A state certified community health worker shall be responsible to ensure that a valid and current email address is provided to the department through the application portal. A state certified community health worker, or applicant, shall update their email address within 30 days of a change.
R380-350-5. Renewal Process.
(1) In accordance with Section 26B-2-507, a state certified community health worker shall file an application for recertification within six months of the printed date of expiration on their certification.
(2) The department shall issue a recertification to a community health worker if the community health worker has:
(a) submitted an application for recertification;
(b) paid the established renewal fee set by the department;
(c) established current Utah residency; and
(d) submitted proof of completion of 15 continuing education units [within the past two years of the current certification period]earned since the community health worker's previous certification or recertification. (3) The applicant shall submit an application for recertification before six months after the printed expiration date on the certification certificate. The individual applicant shall resubmit an application for the community health worker certification if the certification has been expired more than six months.
(4) The department shall date the new certificate of state certification for: (a) three years from the original expiration date if the original certification was issued before January 1, 2028; or (b) two years from the original expiration date if the original certification was issued on or after January 1, 2028. R380-350-6. Continuing Education.
(1) A state certified community health worker shall complete 15 hours of continuing education units every recertification cycle[two years, or during the duration of the certification,] to qualify for the renewal of the certification. (2) One continuing education unit equals one hour of training that focuses on capacity building, an element of core-skill training, or improves the knowledge or skills of a state certified community health worker within the purview of their work.
(3) An event must be approved as a continuing education event by:
(a) the department through the Office of Health Equity; or
(b) a state professional association that:
(i) is associated with the community health worker profession; and
(ii) is aligned with a national community health worker professional association.
R380-350-7. Professional Conduct.
(1) "Unprofessional conduct" includes:
(a) engaging in or aiding or abetting conduct or practices that are dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent;
(b) engaging in or aiding or abetting deceptive or fraudulent billing practices;
(c) failing to establish and maintain professional boundaries with a client or former client;
(d) engaging in dual or multiple relationships with a client or former client in which there is a risk of harm to the client;
(e) engaging in sexual activities or sexual contact with a client with or without client consent;
(f) engaging in or aiding or abetting sexual harassment or any conduct that is exploitive or abusive with respect to a student, trainee, employee, or colleague;
(g) failing to exercise professional discretion and impartial judgment required for the performance of professional activities, duties, and functions;
(h) failing to provide impartial, objective, and informed services, recommendations, or opinions with respect to custodial or parental rights, divorce, domestic relationships, adoptions, sanity, competency, mental health, or any other determination concerning an individual's civil or legal rights;
(i) exploiting a client or former client for personal gain;
(j) exploiting a person who has a personal relationship with a client for personal gain;
(k) failing to protect the confidences of other persons named or contained in the client records; and
(l) failing to abide by the Code of Ethics as approved by the UCHWA board.
(2) Any violation by a state certified community health worker of the Code of Ethics as approved by the UCHWA board, unprofessional conduct, or misrepresentation of credentialing shall be reported to the department through the Office of Health Equity.
(3) If the department, through the Office of Health Equity, finds a violation has occurred, it shall revoke the state certification.
(4) The department may issue a fine in an amount up to $100 in accordance with Section 26B-2-504 if an individual uses the term "state certified" in conjunction with the individual's work as a community health worker if the individual is not state certified.
