UCSF

Administrative Policy

Specialty Certification Differential (CDF)

Policy Statement

 

Pursuant to the most recent collective bargaining agreement between the California Nurses Association (CNA) and UCSF (dated May 1, 2000), a specialty certification differential will be paid to bargaining unit nurses meeting eligibility requirements who submit a completed request form with manager verification and appropriate documentation. Each department is responsible for establishing its own procedures that comply with the listed eligibility requirements and use payroll code CDF for the specialty pay.

 

Contract Language

 

Article 41 – Compensation (Tentative Agreement)

 

Section C.            Specialty Certification Differential

 

1.      Full-time, part-time career and special per diem Nurses will receive Specialty Certification Differential when:

  1. The certification is from a University-recognized professional organization, Board or Agency; and
  2. The Nurse is in a career position in the specialty in which s/he is certified; and
  3. The Nurse maintains current certification.

 

2.      Qualifying full-time career Nurses will receive $100.00 per month (or $92.31 per quadriweekly cycle), and qualifying part-time Nurses will receive a prorated amount on the basis of the appointment rate.

 

3.      Qualifying Per Diem Nurses who have worked at least 1040 hours in the previous contract year shall receive a one-time non-base building lump sum payment of $600.

 

 

General Information/Eligibility

 

I.   Eligibility Requirements

 

A.            Career nurses appointed at 50% or more, who work in the specialty to which certification applies. Per Diem nurses who work the equivalent of half-time (1040 hours annually) who otherwise meet all eligibility requirements may apply after verification of hours worked.

 

B.           Certification must be from a University-recognized professional organization, board, or agency as published annually in The American Journal of Nursing Career Guide.  This list of certifications and certifying agencies may be obtained from their website at www.nursingcenter.com/career/certification.cfm. A nurse may request an eligibility review of a certification not on this list through their manager with the assistance of the Human Resources department.  Human Resources will consult with the Director of Nursing Education for the Medical Center to determine eligibility.

 

C.           Certifications that are required for the nurse to practice in the appropriate classification are NOT eligible for specialty certification differential. For example, BRN certification for nurse practitioners or ACLS certification for emergency department nurses would not qualify for CDF.

 

D.           Certifications must be related to the nurse’s primary assignment and are subject to manager review for appropriateness.  For example, a nurse who is working in the intensive care unit may not receive a specialty differential for being certified as a home health nurse.

 

E.           Eligibility for continuing CDF is to be evaluated by the receiving manager whenever a nurse transfers from one unit into another.  It is the nurse’s responsibility to notify the receiving manager that they are currently receiving CDF so continuing eligibility can be reviewed by the manager prior to a transfer. 

 

II.      Terms of Payment

 

A.            The nurse is responsible for applying for the certification differential in accordance with departmental procedures.

 

B.           CDF will not be paid beyond the certification expiration date unless the nurse provides timely renewal documentation.

 

C.           Only one specialty differential payment will be made regardless of the number of certifications held by the nurse.

 

D.           Payment amount for career nurses ($46.15 per bi-weekly pay period for full-time 100% employees) will be prorated based on percentage appointment (not hours worked).  Per Diem nurses who have worked 1040 hours or more between May 1, 2000 and April 30, 2001 will receive a one-time non-base building lump sum payment of up to $600 in June.

 

III.   Effective Date

 

For calendar year 2000 only, payment for qualifying career nurses is retroactive to May 1, 2000 or the first month of certification up through February 28, 2001.