Section 280. Orientation and staff training

A. Prior to working directly with participants, all staff shall receive training in:

1. Their individual responsibilities in the event of fire, including the location and operation of any fire extinguishers and fire alarm boxes and approved exits;

2. Their individual responsibilities in the event of illness or injuries, including the location and use of the first aid and emergency supplies;

3. Their individual responsibilities in the event of emergencies, such as a lost or missing participant, severe weather, and loss of utilities;

4. Standard precautions; and

5. Participant rights.

B. Staff who work with participants shall receive at least 24 hours of training no later than three weeks after starting employment; part-time staff shall receive the training no later than six weeks after employment.

C. A supervisor or designated trained staff shall closely oversee the individual's work with participants until training is complete.

D. The following areas or topics shall be covered in the staff training:

1. The purpose and goals of the adult day care center;

2. The policies of the center as they relate to the staff member's responsibilities and to the responsibilities of other staff members;

3. Procedures for detecting and reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of participants to the appropriate local department of social services (§ 63.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia);

4. Confidential treatment of personal information about participants and their families;

5. This chapter as it relates to the employee's responsibilities;

6. Needs of the center's target population (for example, those with dementia, developmental disability, depression);

7. Individual capabilities and special needs of the elderly, the cognitively impaired adult, or the handicapped;

8. The specific needs of participants in care, including diagnoses, plans of care, and adjustment issues;

9. The schedule of activities;

10. Behavioral interventions, behavior acceptance and accommodation, and behavior management techniques;

11. Interdisciplinary team approach;

12. Communication skills;

13. Review of basic terminology;

14. Advance directive policies;

15. How to safely and appropriately help participants perform activities of daily living (ADLs), including good body mechanics;

16. Risk management; and

17. The needs of participants' family members or care givers.

E. The required 24 hours of training can be accomplished through a variety of methods including, but not limited to, formal lecture, observation, self-study of material provided by the center, supervised practice, and audio-visual training.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR615-21-02 § 3.9, eff. April 1, 1987; amended, Volume 16, Issue 12, eff. July 1, 2000; Volume 28, Issue 14, eff. April 11, 2012; Errata, 28:15 VA.R. 1311 March 26, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-1733 of the Code of Virginia.