Inservice training and orientation for staff

 Inservice training and orientation for staff

Perhaps one of the most common deficiencies seen during the survey of an assisted living facility is the failure to train (or keep record of training) employees along with properly documenting the paperwork required to be employed in the facility. Ironically, effectively training your staff is one of the most crucial aspects of how your facility will operate.  Check out the regulation below, provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Families for how to ensure your employee training will satisfy the requirements of the state:

DHS 83.19 Orientation. Before an employee performs any job duties, the CBRF shall provide each employee with orientation training which shall include all of the following:

(1) Job responsibilities.

(2) Prevention and reporting of resident abuse, neglect and misappropriation of resident property.

(3) Information regarding assessed needs and individual services for each resident for whom the employee is responsible.

(4) Emergency and disaster plan and evacuation procedures under s. DHS 83.47 (2).

(5) CBRF policies and procedures.

(6) Recognizing and responding to resident changes of condition.

History: CR 07-095: cr. Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 4-1-09.

DHS 83.20 Department-approved training.

(1)  Approved training.

(a) Training for standard precautions, fire safety, first aid and choking, and medication administration and management shall be approved by the department or designee and shall be provided by trainers approved by the department or designee. Approvals for training plans and trainers for standard precautions, fire safety, first aid and choking, and medication administration and management issued before April 1, 2009, shall expire April 1, 2010.

(b) The CBRF shall maintain documentation of the training in par. (a), including the trainer approval number, the name of the employee, training topic and the date training was completed.

(2) Approved courses.

(a) Standard precautions. All employees who may be occupationally exposed to blood, body fluids or other moist body substances, including mucous membranes, non-intact skin, secretions, and excretions except sweat, whether or not they contain visible blood shall successfully complete training in standard precautions before the employee assumes any responsibilities that may expose the employee to such material.

(b) Fire safety. Within 90 days after starting employment, all employees shall successfully complete training in fire safety.

(c) First aid and choking. Within 90 days after starting employment, all employees shall successfully complete training in first aid and procedures to alleviate choking.

(d) Medication administration and management. Any employee who manages, administers or assists residents with prescribed or over-the-counter medications shall complete training in medication administration and management prior to assuming these job duties.

History: CR 07-095: cr. Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 4-1-09.

DHS 83.21 All employee training. The CBRF shall provide, obtain or otherwise ensure adequate training for all employees in all of the following:

(1) Resident rights. Training shall include general rights of residents including rights as specified under s. DHS 83.32 (3). Training shall be provided as applicable under ss. 50.09 and 51.61 and chs. 54, 55, and 304, Stats., and ch. DHS 94, depending on the legal status of the resident or service the resident is receiving. Specific training topics shall include house rules, coercion, retaliation, confidentiality, restraints, self-determination, and the CBRF’s complaint and grievance procedures. Residents’ rights training shall be completed within 90 days after starting employment.

(2) Client group.

(a) Training shall be specific to the client group served and shall include the physical, social and mental health needs of the client group. Specific training topics shall include, as applicable: characteristics of the client group served, activities, safety risks, environmental considerations, disease processes, communication skills, nutritional needs, and vocational abilities. Client group specific training shall be completed within 90 days after starting employment.

(b) In a CBRF serving more than one client group, employees shall receive training for each client group.

(3) Recognizing, preventing, managing and responding to challenging behaviors. Specific training topics shall include, as applicable: elopement, aggressive behaviors, destruction of property, suicide prevention, self-injurious behavior, resident supervision, and changes in condition. Challenging behaviors training shall be completed within 90 days after starting employment.

History: CR 07-095: cr. Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 4-1-09; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637.

DHS 83.22 Task specific training. The CBRF shall provide, obtain or otherwise ensure adequate training for employees performing job duties in all of the following:

(1) Assessment of residents. All employees responsible for resident assessment shall successfully complete training in the assessment of residents prior to assuming these job duties. Specific training topics shall include: assessment methodology, assessment of changes in condition, sources of assessment information, and documentation of the assessment.

(2) Individual service plan development. All employees responsible for service plan development shall successfully complete training in individual service plan development prior to assuming these job duties. Specific training topics shall include: identification of the resident’s needs and desired outcomes, development of goals and interventions, service plan evaluation and review of progress.

(3) Provision of personal care. All employees responsible for providing assistance with activities of daily living shall successfully complete training prior to assuming these job duties. Specific training topics shall include, as appropriate: bathing, eating, dressing, oral hygiene, nail and foot care, toileting and incontinence care, positioning and body alignment, and mobility and transferring.

(4) Dietary training. All employees performing dietary duties shall complete dietary training within 90 days after assuming these job duties. Specific training topics shall include: determining nutritional needs, menu planning, food preparation and food sanitation.

History: CR 07-095: cr. Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 4-1-09.

DHS 83.23 Employee supervision. Until an employee has completed all required training, the employee shall be directly supervised by the administrator or by qualified resident care staff.

HS 83.25 Continuing education. The administrator and resident care staff shall receive at least 15 hours per calendar year of continuing education beginning with the first full calendar year of employment. Continuing education shall be relevant to the job responsibilities and shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) Standard precautions.

(2) Client group related training.

(3) Medications.

(4) Resident rights.

(5) Prevention and reporting of abuse, neglect and misappropriation.

(6) Fire safety and emergency procedures, including first aid.

Top Takeaways:

  • DHS 83.19 Orientation. Before an employee performs any job duties, the CBRF shall provide each employee with orientation training which shall include all of the following: 1-6

Orienting staff is not just a factor in the training and retention of staff, it is required by the DHFS. The orientation process shall be conducted prior to the employee beginning active employment. This process should also encompass the policies and procedures of your facility to ensure the success of your staff and meet the requirements of this regulation.

Pro Tip:

  • Ensure you have a process in order for orientation and all aspects of ongoing training for your staff. There should be a check list in the employee file for each necessary item to be included in the staff file.