Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. General: No agency licensed pursuant to
these regulations may employ an individual as a home health aide on a
full-time, part-time, temporary, per diem, or other basis unless:
(1) that individual is competent to provide
services as a home health aide;
(2)
that individual has completed a training program or a competency evaluation
program as outlined in these regulations.
B. Source of training: Any agency licensed
pursuant to these regulations may provide training under the following
conditions:
(1) The agency must submit, in
writing, its intent to conduct home health aide training and the training
curriculum to the licensing authority. Approval of the curriculum must be
obtained from the licensing authority prior to instituting training.
(2) Agencies electing not to provide formal
training must identify the method by which they will establish the competency
of home health aides and document that each is determined competent.
(3) The licensing authority may deny a home
health agency the right to conduct home health aide training or competency
evaluation, for a specified period of time, not to exceed two years, if the
licensing authority finds the agency in substantial noncompliance with these
regulations.
C. Course
requirements: Home health aides: The home health aide training program must
address each of the subject areas listed below through classroom and supervised
practical training totaling at least 75 hours, with at least 16 hours devoted
to supervised practical training. "Supervised practical training" means
training in a laboratory or other setting in which the trainee demonstrates
knowledge while performing tasks on an individual under the direct supervision
of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
(1) The individual being trained must
complete at least 16 hours of classroom training before beginning the
supervised practical training;
(2)
communications skills;
(3)
observation, reporting and documentation of patient status and the care or
service furnished;
(4) reading and
recording of vital signs;
(5) basic
infection control procedures;
(6)
basic elements of body functioning and changes in body function that must be
reported to an aide's supervisor;
(7) maintenance of a clean, safe and healthy
environment;
(8) recognizing
emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures (including CPR and first
aid);
(9) the physical, emotional
and developmental needs of and ways to work with the populations served by the
home health agency, including the need for respect for the patient, their
privacy and their property;
(10)
appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming that include,
but are not limited to, bathing, shampooing, nail and skin care, oral hygiene
and toileting;
(11) safe transfer
techniques and ambulation;
(12)
normal range of motion and positioning;
(13) nutrition and hydration;
(14) patient/client rights, including respect
for cultural diversity;
(15) any
other task that the home health agency may choose to have the home health aide
perform.
D. Instructor
personnel:
(1) The training of home health
aides must be performed by, or under the supervision of, a registered nurse who
possesses a minimum of two years of nursing experience, at least one year of
which must be in the provision of home health services.
(2) Other pertinent personnel from the health
professions may also be utilized as supplemental instructors.
E. Documentation of training or
competency evaluation:
(1) All agencies which
provide home health aide training courses or competency evaluations must
document such training or competency evaluation for each individual taking the
training or competency evaluation. Competency evaluation includes both a
written test and a skills demonstration. Skills demonstration must be observed
and documented by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
(2) Documentation must include at least the
following information:
(a) Training:
(i) name of individual taking
training;
(ii) title, purpose and
objectives of class;
(iii) name of
instructor and qualifications;
(iv)
number of hours of instruction;
(v)
date instruction was given.
(b) Competency:
(i) name of individual being evaluated for
competency;
(ii) date and method
used to determine competency.
F. Annual in-service training: Each home
health aide must participate in at least 12 documented hours of in-service
training during each 12 month period. This requirement may be fulfilled on a
prorated basis during the home health aide's first year of employment at the
home health agency.
G. Annual
performance review: A performance review, including written evaluation and
skills demonstration must be completed on each home health aide no less
frequently than every 12 months.
