--- title: "Washington violence prevention training: RCW 49.19.030" description: "For Washington hospitals and health care settings: who must be trained by when, the eleven topics, and the one that calls for hands-on practice or role play." canonical: https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/washington-violence-prevention-training --- [Learn](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn) / Standards # Washington violence prevention training for health care staff Every health care setting in the state trains its people within ninety days of hire. One topic names the method. The moment ## It starts at the desk, the bedside or the door A family at the triage desk after a long wait. A confused patient who lashes out at the nurse helping him. A home visit where the door opens on an argument. Washington writes its [de-escalation training for health care workers](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/de-escalation-training-healthcare) law for these moments. A raised voice at the triage desk. Arms folded at the ward counter. A home visit, starting at the door. The rule ## Who is trained, and by when The law sets the deadline and the topics. The employer’s own plan sets the rest, so the plan is where a buyer starts. A charge nurse briefs the night team. ### Within ninety days of hire [RCW 49.19.030](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.19.030) requires every health care setting to train all applicable employees, volunteers and contracted security personnel, as its violence prevention plan determines. New staff are trained within ninety days of their hiring date, unless they are temporary, then on a regular basis the plan sets. A bedside choice, made in the headset. ### The topics, and the one with a method The statute lists eleven topics, from the plan itself to restraints, incident reporting and support after violence. Item (e) covers de-escalation techniques that minimise violent behaviour. Item (f) is the only topic with a method attached: “hands-on practice or role play”. What it means for a buyer ## Video covers most topics. Item (f) needs practice A plan may use classes, hands-on training, video, brochures or verbal training. For preventing physical harm, the statute itself names rehearsal. A colleague pushes back in the corridor. ### Build the practice into the plan Write item (f) into the plan as a rehearsal: a realistic scenario, a colleague or a simulated patient, and a second attempt. [VR de-escalation training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/vr-de-escalation-training) lets every new starter rehearse the same scenario within the ninety days. Talking it through after a hard moment. ### Two kinds of debrief Item (j) teaches the debrief process for staff affected by a violent act. [Nevada](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/nevada-workplace-violence-training) adds a debrief after every practice session. Running both keeps one program ready for teams in either state. Beyond Washington ## Where other rules go further Health care employers across the [United States](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-united-states) and in Australia face the same moments under different rules. A quiet talk with a visitor. ### California, Nevada and Australia [California’s health care standard](https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3342.html) and [Nevada’s statute](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-618.html) require staff to practise the techniques with the colleagues they work with, then debrief the session. In Australia, the [NSQHS Comprehensive Care Standard](https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards/comprehensive-care-standard) asks hospitals to implement de-escalation strategies, set out in [the NSQHS action on aggression](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/nsqhs-action-5-34). How it runs ## Role play that feels like the shift Staff rehearse in a [VR headset](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/virtual-reality) or with an [AI roleplay partner](https://peopletechrevolution.com/ai/ai-roleplay-practice), with a facilitator and a debrief after each run. A ward round, inside the headset. A consult rehearsed with an AI patient. An educator sets up the next run. Questions ## What Washington employers ask first Short answers from the text of the section. A man waits at the triage counter. ### Who has to be trained, and when? All applicable employees, volunteers and contracted security personnel, as the plan determines, within ninety days of hire unless temporary. A parent and clinician, in a recreated Mater setting. ### How often is refresher training required? The statute leaves the interval to the plan, which sets training on a regular basis after the first round. An oncology nurse talks with a patient in the lounge. ### Does Washington require role play? For one topic. Strategies to prevent physical harm are taught with hands-on practice or role play. A rehabilitation gym, one of the recreated Mater settings. ### Does it name de-escalation? De-escalation techniques are item (e), alongside the escalation cycle and the behaviours that predict violence. - [US workplace violence training rules](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-united-states) - [California SB 553 training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/california-sb-553-training) - [Workplace violence training records](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-records) - [Hospital de-escalation training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/industries/healthcare-medical) Training health care staff in Washington? [Open the contact form](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/washington-violence-prevention-training#contact) Ask Simon’s Digital Twin a question ## Sources Each rule in full, on the regulator’s own site. ### [Revised Code of Washington 49.19.030](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.19.030) Washington State Legislature Who is trained, the ninety-day deadline, the eleven topics and the methods a plan may use. ### [Violence Prevention in Health Care](https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3342.html) California Code of Regulations, Title 8 Practice with the colleagues staff work with, and a meeting to debrief the session. ### [Workplace Violence at Medical Facilities](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-618.html) Nevada Revised Statutes, chapter 618 The same practice and debrief requirement in statute, with a record of each session. ### [Comprehensive Care Standard](https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards/comprehensive-care-standard) Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Processes to identify patients at risk of aggression and implement de-escalation strategies.