Q&A: HIPAA training for temporary nursing staff

Q: If we hire temporary nursing staff through a staffing agency, do they need to complete our facility’s HIPAA training, or can we consider the training the agency provides sufficient?

A:  You may consider the training provided by the staffing agency to be sufficient if you have reviewed the training program and determined it to be appropriate. It would still be a good idea, though, to have temporary staff members sign your organization’s employee confidentiality agreement as part of their onboarding procedure.

Editor’s note: Mary D. Brandt, MBA, RHIA, CHE, CHPS, is a healthcare consultant specializing in healthcare regulatory compliance and operations improvement. She is also an advisory board member for BOH. This information does not constitute legal advice. Consult legal counsel for answers to specific privacy and security questions. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not represent HCPro or ACDIS. Email your HIPAA questions to Associate Editor Heidi Samuelson at hsamuelson@hcpro.com.