Can a Psych Tech teach RNs Clinical Skill

[McNabK9, BSN, RN, APN]

Greetings,

I attended new employee orientation this week for the CA Department of State Hospitals. One of the topics was wound care. The educator/trainer that taught the course struggled with some of the verbiage (the word exudate). At one point, I volunteered some advice that if the institution had a wound nurse but the physician wrote the wound care orders, it may be worthwhile to run the orders by the wound nurse as physicians are not always up to speed on the latest and greatest in wound care. After my comment, the educator/trainer followed by commenting "if you feel comfortable questioning the doctor's orders". Well that statement is always a dead giveaway..lol. I checked after class and the person teaching the wound care class was a psych tech not a registered nurse. I did not think a lesser license could teach a greater license in clinical skills. The psych tech did not have any special certification to teach wound care. Does anyone know how this works in California?

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I have no special knowledge of California regulations, but that sounds shoddy. It would raise a red flag with me about this employer.

[elkpark]

I agree that it's poor practice and reflects v. poorly on the facility that is operating this way, but I doubt that it's technically a violation of any kind of rule or regulation.