Section 1120. Staff training

A. Commencing immediately upon employment and within two months, the administrator and direct care staff shall attend at least four hours of training in cognitive impairments due to dementia. This training is counted toward meeting the annual training requirement for the first year, except that for licensed administrators, whether the training counts toward continuing education and for what period of time depends upon the administrator licensure requirements. The training shall cover the following topics:

1. Information about the cognitive impairment, including areas such as cause, progression, behaviors, management of the condition;

2. Communicating with the resident;

3. Managing dysfunctional behavior; and

4. Identifying and alleviating safety risks to residents with cognitive impairment.

Previous training that meets the requirements of this subsection and subsections C and D of this section that was completed in the year prior to employment is transferable if there is documentation of the training. The documented previous training is counted toward the required four hours but not toward the annual training requirement, except as noted earlier in this subsection. In this subsection, for direct care staff, employment means employment in the safe, secure environment.

B. Within the first year of employment, the administrator and direct care staff shall attend at least six more hours of training, in addition to that required in subsection A of this section, in caring for residents with cognitive impairments due to dementia. The training is counted toward meeting the annual training requirement for the first year, except that for licensed administrators, whether the training counts toward continuing education and for what period of time depends upon the administrator licensure requirements. The training shall cover the following topics:

1. Assessing resident needs and capabilities and understanding and implementing service plans;

2. Resident care techniques for persons with physical, cognitive, behavioral and social disabilities;

3. Creating a therapeutic environment;

4. Promoting resident dignity, independence, individuality, privacy and choice;

5. Communicating with families and other persons interested in the resident;

6. Planning and facilitating activities appropriate for each resident; and

7. Common behavioral problems and behavior management techniques.

Previous training that meets the requirements of this subsection and subsections C and D of this section that was completed in the year prior to employment is transferable if there is documentation of the training. The documented previous training is counted toward the required six hours but not toward the annual training requirement, except as noted earlier in this subsection. In this subsection, for direct care staff, employment means employment in the safe, secure environment.

C. The training required in subsections A and B of this section shall be developed by:

1. A licensed health care professional acting within the scope of the requirements of his profession who has at least 12 hours of training in the care of individuals with cognitive impairments due to dementia; or

2. A person who has been approved by the department to develop the training.

D. The training required in subsections A and B of this section shall be provided by a person qualified under subdivision C 1 of this section or a person who has been approved by the department to provide the training.

E. Within the first month of employment, staff, other than the administrator and direct care staff, who will have contact with residents in the special care unit shall complete one hour of training on the nature and needs of residents with cognitive impairments due to dementia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 23, Issue 06, eff. December 28, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 08, eff. February 5, 2009.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-1732 of the Code of Virginia.