La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-6865

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-6865 - Staffing Requirements

A. At a minimum the following staff positions are required. For ARCPs level 2 through 4, one person may occupy more than one position in the ARCP but shall not be in this position on the same shift. In a level 1 ARCP, one person may occupy more than one staff position on the same shift.

1. Director. Each ARCP shall have a qualified director who is responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision, and operation of the ARCP and who shall be on-site no less than 20 hours per week.

a. During periods of temporary absence of the director, there shall be a responsible staff person designated to be in charge 24 hours per day, seven days per week that has the knowledge and responsibility to handle any situation that may occur.

b. The director shall be at least 21 years of age and have the responsibility and authority to carry out the policies of the provider.

c. Director Qualifications

i. For levels 1 and 2, the director shall meet one of the following criteria upon date of hire:

(a). have at least an associates degree from an accredited college plus one year of experience in the fields of health, social services, geriatrics, management or administration; or

(b). in lieu of an associates degree from an accredited college three years of experience in health, social services, geriatrics, management, administration; or

(c). a bachelors degree in geriatrics, social services, nursing, health care administration or related field.

ii. For levels 3 and 4, the director shall meet one of the following criteria upon date of hire:

(a). a bachelors degree plus two years of administrative experience in the fields of health, social services, geriatrics, management or administration;

(b). in lieu of a bachelors degree, six years of administrative experience in health, social services, geriatrics, management or administration;

(c). a masters degree in geriatrics, health care, human service related field, management or administration; or

(d). be a licensed nursing facility administrator.

iii. Additionally, for level 4 ARCPs the director shall have successfully completed an adult residential care/assisted living director certification/training program consisting of, at a minimum, 12 hours of training that has been approved by any one of the following organizations:

(a). Louisiana Board of Examiners of Nursing Facility Administrators;

(b). Louisiana Assisted Living Association (LALA);

(c). LeadingAge Gulf States;

(d). Louisiana Nursing Home Association (LNHA); or

(e). any of the national assisted living associations, including the:

(i). National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL);

(ii). Argentum;

(iii). Leading Age; or

(iv). National Association of Long Term Care Administrators Board (NAB).

iv. Training shall begin within six months and completed within 12 months of being appointed director.

v. Two years of experience as an assisted living director may be substituted in lieu of the certification requirements.

vi. Documentation of the directors qualifications shall be maintained on file at the ARCP.

2. Designated Recreational/Activity Staff. There shall be an individual designated to organize and oversee the recreational and social programs of the ARCP.

3. Direct Care Staff

a. The ARCP shall demonstrate that sufficient and trained direct care staff is scheduled and on-site to meet the 24-hour scheduled and unscheduled needs of the residents.

b. The ARCP shall be staffed with direct care staff to properly safeguard the health, safety and welfare of clients.

c. The ARCP shall employ direct care staff to ensure the provision of ARCP services as required by the PCSP.

d. Staff shall not work simultaneously at more than one ARCP on the same shift.

e. A direct care staff person who is not in the ARCP, but who is scheduled on the shift as on call shall not be included as direct care staff on any shift.

f. The ARCP shall maintain a current work schedule for all employees indicating adequate coverage for each 24-hour day.

B. Nursing Staff

1. In ARCPs that offer staff medication administration and level 4 ARCPs, the ARCP shall provide a sufficient number of RNs and LPNs to provide services to all residents in accordance with each residents PCSP 24 hours per day.

2. Nursing Director

a. Level 4 ARCPs shall employ or contract with at least one RN who shall serve as the nursing director and who shall manage the nursing services. The nursing director need not be physically present at all times at the ARCP; however, the nursing director or his or her designee shall be on call and readily accessible to the ARCP 24 hours a day.

b. The nursing director, in conjunction with the residents physician, shall be responsible for the preparation, coordination and implementation of the health care services section of the residents PCSP.

c. The nursing director shall review and oversee all LPNs and direct care personnel with respect to the performance of health related services.

d. The nursing director shall be licensed by, and in good standing with, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, and shall comply with all applicable licensing requirements.

3. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). LPNs employed by or contracted with shall be licensed by, and in good standing with, the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nursing, and shall comply with all applicable nursing requirements.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-6865

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 41:1105 (June 2015), Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 41:1105 (June 2015), amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 431977 (10/1/2017), Amended LR 471503 (10/1/2021).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2166.1-2166.8.