PURPOSE:

To outline the competency standards required for applicants and direct care workers employed or listed on the roster and to define the criteria for recognizing competency information from other organizations or for transferring it to other entities.

POLICY:

The agency/registry mandates that applicants and direct care workers demonstrate competency in specific areas in alignment with Chapter 611 of the Health Care Facilities Act and relevant job responsibilities. Prior experience and training are considered, and competency documentation may be transferred from one entity to another.

PROCEDURE:

Applicants/Employees/Rostered Workers

  1. All direct care worker applicants/employees/rostered persons are required to demonstrate competency in the following areas prior to providing services to a consumer:
    • Confidentiality
    • Consumer Control & Independent Living Philosophy
    • Basic Infection Control
    • Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
    • Universal Precautions
    • Recognizing Consumer Changes that Need Addressed
    • Handling Emergencies
    • Recognizing and Reporting Abuse and Neglect
    • Documentation
    • Dealing with Difficult Behaviors
  2. If the direct care worker applicant/employee/rostered person will be providing personal care, the applicant must also demonstrate competency in the additional subject areas of:
    • Bathing, shaving, grooming and dressing
    • Hair, skin and mouth care
    • Assistance with ambulation and transferring
    • Toileting
    • Meal preparation and feeding
    • Assistance with self-administered medications
  3. The direct care worker applicant/employee/rostered person can demonstrate competence by providing one of the following:
    • Valid PA license as a nurse
    • Valid PA certification as a nurse aide
    • Completed training from:
      • Another home care agency, registry or entity that included the 10 subject areas above and the 6 personal care subject areas, if applicable
      • A home health aide program under 42 C.F.R. 484.36
      • A Medicaid waiver or publicly funded home and community-based program provided by this agency/registry
      • A program approved by the PA Department of Health
    • Successful completion of this agency/registry’s written competency examination and/or demonstration of specific skills
  4. Competency will be measured on an annual basis through a variety of methods including but not limited to:
    • Annual competency and performance reviews
    • Consumer feedback
    • Direct observation
    • Training and testing
  5. Any documentation provided by an applicant must include:
    • Dates
    • Name of training program or training entity
    • Training content or evidence of the above subject areas
    • Evidence of successful completion
  6. All documentation is subject to validation, e.g., through the licensing or certification agent, or the provider of the training/testing. Originals are preferred.
  7. If the applicant becomes an employee/rostered worker, copies of the documentation will be maintained in the direct care worker’s file.
  8. All documentation of the direct care worker’s successful completion of training, testing, annual reviews will be maintained in the worker’s file. If certificates of completion are awarded, the worker will receive the original and, at the worker’s request, a copy may be maintained in the worker’s file.

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