W. Va. Code R. § 64-85-4 - Human Resources

4.1. Qualifications, Orientation and Training

4.1.a. A designated staff member shall be responsible for the coordination of the alzheimer's/dementia special care unit or program. The coordinator shall:

4.1.a.1. Coordinate as needed outside psychiatric and psychosocial services to assist with behavior modification plans;

4.1.a.2. Advocate for resident rights;

4.1.a.3. Ensure individualized interventions are provided to allow residents to express feelings resulting from the disease process, lost roles and life status;

4.1.a.4. Obtain and utilize a listing of community resources available to residents and family members, including alzheimer's networks; and

4.1.a.5. Offer monthly educational and family support group meetings.

4.1.b. The coordinator shall meet the minimum qualifications which include:

4.1.b.1. A license or degree as a health related professional;

4.1.b.2. A minimum of one year working directly with dementia or Alzheimer's care patients; and

4.1.b.3. Completion of at least a thirty (30) hour training course by a nationally recognized alzheimer's/dementia care giving resource or association, or have comparable training and experience.

4.1.c. All assigned staff members shall complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours of training on the care of residents with alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Staff shall have a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of documented training prior to supervised direct hands on resident care. An additional fifteen (15) hours of training shall be completed prior to unsupervised direct care. Supervision shall be provided by a staff person who has completed the entire training. Training shall include at a minimum:

4.1.c.1. The facility's philosophy and resident care policies;

4.1.c.2. The nature, stages, and treatment of alzheimer's disease and related dementia;

4.1.c.3. Positive therapeutic interventions and activities;

4.1.c.4. Communication techniques;

4.1.c.5. Behavior management;

4.1.c.6. Medication management;

4.1.c.7. Therapeutic environmental modifications;

4.1.c.8. Individualized comprehensive assessments and care plans;

4.1.c.9. The role of the family and their need for support;

4.1.c.10. Staff burnout prevention; and

4.1.c.11. Abuse prevention.

4.1.d. The facility shall provide a minimum of eight (8) hours of documented annual training to all staff on the topics in subdivision 4.1.c. of this subsection.

4.1.e. The facility shall maintain and utilize an orientation manual and policies and procedures specific to the alzheimer's/dementia special care unit or program.

4.2. Staffing Requirements

4.2.a. The alzheimer's/dementia special care unit or program shall provide sufficient numbers of direct care staff to provide care and services during all hours of operation to meet the physical, mental and psychosocial needs and to promote the highest practicable level of well-being of each resident.

4.2.b. The alzheimer's/dementia special care unit or program shall provide staffing at no less than an average of two and twenty-five one-hundredths (2.25) hours of direct care personnel time per resident per day, or during the hours of operation, or as required by the facility's state licensure rule if more demanding.

4.2.b.1. When the resident census is greater than five (5) residents, a minimum of two (2) direct care personnel shall be present.

4.2.b.2. "Available" or "on call" staff shall not be calculated into the minimum staffing hours required.

4.2.c. A licensed nurse shall be available on-site if any resident requires nursing procedures, including as needed (PRN) injections, or as required by the facility's state licensure rule, if more restrictive.

4.2.d. Direct care staff shall not have housekeeping, laundry, food preparation or maintenance duties as their primary responsibilities. The unlicensed direct care staff included in the minimum staffing shall not be responsible for medication administration during the day or evening shift, including staff in a facility that participates in 64CSR60 "Medication Administration By Unlicensed Personnel".

4.2.e. The secretary may require staffing above the minimum requirement specified in this subsection if necessary to meet the resident's needs.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 64-85-4