(a) A center must designate a nursing director and alternate nursing director who meet the qualifications and conditions set out in this section and who have completed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) pre-licensing program training titled "Overview of Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center Licensing Standards in Texas."
(b) The nursing director and alternate nursing director must have the following qualifications:
  (1) a valid RN license under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 301, with no disciplinary action;
  (2) a valid certification in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation or Basic Cardiac Life Support; and
  (3) a minimum of two years of supervision and management in employment in a pediatric setting caring for a medically or technologically dependent minor or at least two years of supervision in one of the following specialty settings:
    (A) pediatric intensive care;
    (B) neonatal intensive care;
    (C) pediatric emergency care;
    (D) center;
    (E) home health or hospice agency specializing in pediatric care;
    (F) ambulatory surgical center specializing in pediatric care; or
    (G) have comparable pediatric unit experience in a hospital for two consecutive years before the person applies for the position of nursing director.
(c) The nursing director and alternate nursing director must meet the requirements of this subsection.
  (1) The nursing director must be a full-time employee of the center.
  (2) The nursing director or alternate nursing director may serve as the administrator or alternate administrator of the center if the nursing director or alternate nursing director meets the administrator qualifications as described in §550.303 of this division (relating to Administrator and Alternate Administrator Qualifications and Conditions).
  (3) A center must designate an alternate nursing director who meets the qualifications as specified in this section who will assume the responsibilities of the nursing director when the nursing director is unavailable during the center's operating hours.
  (4) The nursing director must not be included in the center's staffing ratio when the center's actual census is less than four minors and the nursing director is also functioning as the administrator.
  (5) The designated alternate nursing director must not be included in the center's staffing ratio when functioning as the nursing director, administrator, or alternate administrator.

Source Note: The provisions of this §550.309 adopted to be effective September 1, 2014, 39 TexReg 6569; transferred effective May 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register April 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 1875; amended to be effective March 20, 2023, 48 TexReg 1564