Section 350. Home attendant services

A. Services of the home attendants may include, but are not limited to:

1. Assisting patients with (i) activities of daily living; (ii) ambulation and prescribed exercise; (iii) other special duties with appropriate training and demonstrated competency;

2. Administration of normally self-administered drugs in a patient's private residence as allowed by § 54.1-3408 of the Virginia Drug Control Act (Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia);

3. Taking and recording vital signs as indicated in the plan of care;

4. Measuring and recording fluid intake and output;

5. Recording and reporting to the health care professional changes in the patient's physical condition, behavior or appearance;

6. Documenting services and observations in the medical record; and

7. Performing any other duties that the attendant is qualified to do by additional training and demonstrated competency, within state guidelines.

B. Prior to the initial delivery of services, the home attendant shall receive specific written instructions for the patient's care from the appropriate health care professional responsible for the care.

C. Home attendants shall work under the supervision of the appropriate health care professional responsible for the patient's care.

D. The nurse responsible for supervising the home attendant shall make visits to the patient's home as frequently as necessary, but not less than every two weeks. The results of each visit shall be documented in the medical record.

E. Relevant in-service education or training for home attendants shall consist of at least 12 hours annually. In-service training may be in conjunction with on-site supervision.

F. Home attendants shall be able to speak, read and write English and shall meet one of the following qualifications:

1. Have satisfactorily completed a nursing education hospice program preparing for registered nurse licensure or practical nurse licensure;

2. Have satisfactorily completed a nurse aide education hospice program approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing;

3. Have certification as a nurse aide issued by the Virginia Board of Nursing;

4. Be successfully enrolled in a nursing education hospice program preparing for registered nurse or practical nurse licensure and have currently completed at least one nursing course that includes clinical experience involving patient care;

5. Have satisfactorily passed a competency evaluation that meets the criteria of 42 CFR 484.36 (b); or

6. Have satisfactorily completed training using the "Personal Care Aide Training Curriculum," dated 2003, of the Department of Medical Assistance Services. However, the training is permissible for volunteers only.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 21, Issue 23, eff. November 1, 2005; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 04, eff. November 23, 2011.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-162.5 of the Code of Virginia.