Code of Massachusetts Regulations
651 CMR - EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS
Title 651 CMR 12.00 - Certification Procedures and Standards for Assisted Living Residences
Section 12.07 - Training Requirements
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
The purposes of the requirements of 651 CMR 12.07 are to ensure employees of Assisted Living Residences have a clear understanding of their jobs and the way in which their work intersects with and supports the work of other employees, of the policies and procedures of the Residence, of the rights of the Residents, and of the particular and distinctive service needs and health concerns of the Residents. All curricula for training should reflect current standards of practice and care, be designed to enhance the professionalism of the employees, and to enable employees to provide good service. Training requirements may be satisfied by such means as practical demonstration, lectures, lectures with accompanying role playing, video with facilitated discussion, and other generally accepted techniques. No more than two of the seven hours required for orientation may be conducted by un-facilitated media presentations by such means as video or audio. Instructors and facilitators shall be appropriately qualified by training or demonstrated experience. The Residence shall maintain documentation in the employee's personnel file regarding the completion of training or eligibility for any exemption.
(1) General Orientation. Prior to active employment, all staff and contracted providers who will have direct contact with Residents and all food service personnel must receive a seven-hour orientation which includes the following topics:
(2) Additional General Orientation Requirements.
(3) Orientation for Staff Working within Special Care Residences. In addition to completing requirements for general orientation as set forth under 651 CMR 12.07 (1)(a) through (m), all new employees who work within a Special Care Residence and have direct contact with Residents must receive seven hours of additional training on topics related to the specialized care needs of the Resident population (e.g., communication skills, creating a therapeutic environment, interpreting manifestations of distress, decisional capacity, sexuality, family issues, and caregiver support).
(4) Ongoing In-service Education and Training.
(5) Each residence shall conduct an annual training needs assessment to prepare the curriculum for its required training and establish a process by which it will evaluate the efficacy of its training program.
(6) Personal Care Services Provider Training Requirements. Assisted Living Residence staff and contracted providers of Personal Care Services must complete an additional 54 hours of training prior to providing Personal Care Services to a Resident, 20 hours of which must be specific to the provision of Personal Care Services. The 20 hours of Personal Care training must be conducted by a qualified Registered Nurse with a valid Massachusetts license. The 54 hours of training must include the following topics:
Documentation of completion of the 54-hour training for Assisted Living Residences staff and contract providers who provide Personal Care Services shall be transferable for each employee from one Residence to another.
(7) Introductory Visit and Review. Prior to or within 48 hours after the provision of Personal Care Services to a Resident, a nurse shall review the Resident's service plan with all relevant personal care workers. This review may be conducted in the Resident's Unit or at another appropriate location within the Residence, as determined by the nurse. The personal care workers must demonstrate competence in the assigned personal care tasks (including Self-administered Medication Management) in the Resident's service plan. Such competence may be demonstrated either through a verbal review of these tasks or, if deemed necessary by the nurse, by the demonstrated performance of the tasks by such workers. An Introductory Visit shall also be conducted and documented in the Resident's record whenever the Resident's personal care needs change significantly, as determined by the nurse. Such documentation shall be kept current.
(8) Supervision. A qualified nurse shall, at least once every six months, evaluate the Personal Care Services provided by personal care staff of the Residence or by contracted providers. A written record of the staff or provider's performance of personal care skills shall be completed after each evaluation and shall be kept in the employee's personnel file. Personal care staff who provide Self-administered Medication Management shall also be evaluated on their awareness of and compliance with SAMM regulations and the applicable Residence policies and procedures.
(9) Exemptions. The following individuals are exempt from Personal Care Services Provider Training Requirements as set forth in 651 CMR 12.07(4). However, these individuals must complete the general orientation and Ongoing In-service Education and Training as set forth in 651 CMR 12.07(1) through (3).
(10) Food Service Personnel. Before commencing employment in an Assisted Living Residence, the person(s) managing the dietary department (e.g. food services manager and chef) must complete a food service sanitation course which meets the requirements of 105 CMR 590.003(A)(2).
