N.J. Admin. Code § 10:44C-2.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 10:44C-2.8 - Staff coverage

(a) At each residence, the total number of staff shall be no less than one staff member for every three persons served when the persons are in the home and awake.

1. The ratio can be altered in accordance with the needs of the persons served as approved by the Office of Licensing during the program description approval process.

(b) At each residence, the total number of staff shall be based on the needs of the persons served but shall be no less than one staff member for every five persons served when the persons are sleeping.

1. The ratio can be altered in accordance with the needs of the persons served as approved by the Office of Licensing during the program description approval process.

(c) A description of the staff coverage and the staff schedule shall be initially approved as part of the program description and reviewed at each inspection.

(d) Reduction of staff coverage as specified in any modification to the program description shall be justified in writing and sent to the Office of Licensing for approval.

1. Documented approval(s) by the TDT that a person or persons served can be left alone for specific amounts of time shall be submitted as evidence justifying modification of staff coverage.

2. Reduction of staff coverage as specified in the approved Program Description shall be reviewed and approved by the Office of Licensing prior to implementation by the licensee, based on (d)1 above.

3. A written response shall be provided by the Office of Licensing within 15 working days, documenting any conditions that must be met as part of the approval of the reduction of staff coverage.

4. With the exception of an emergency, adjustments of staff ratios as specified in the approved Program Description shall not be implemented until approval is granted by the Office of Licensing.

(e) Staff are not required to be on-site when no persons served are present in the residence, but trained staff members, familiar with the person(s) served, shall be available for emergencies.

(f) A written staff schedule, for at least a two-week period, shall be available for review at each residence. The staff member in-charge shall be designated on the schedule for each shift.

1. The licensee shall designate specific duties and responsibilities for the in-charge staff person.

i. No temporary employment agency staff shall at any time be designated or utilized as "in-charge" in the absence of completion of all training required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10:44C-2.7, and a written policy stipulating the licensee's assumption of responsibility and liability of said employees' actions.

2. At least one staff member, currently trained and certified in first aid and CPR, shall be on duty for each shift.

(g) When a specific person served requires one-to-one coverage by staff, that staff member shall be considered unique and not as a part of the overall ratio as specified in the approved Program Description for the other persons in residence.

(h) The licensee shall assure that, if all staff have not completed necessary specialized training, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:44C-2.7(c)1, 2, 3, and 4, each required specialized training for that site has been completed by at least one person on each shift.

(i) Staff of a supervised apartment program shall be on-site whenever any person served is present, unless otherwise stated in the served person's ITP.

1. At least one staff member must be available on the grounds of the apartment complex during the night for emergencies.

2. The staff residence/office shall be located so that the response time to each person served is consistent with their supervision needs.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:44C-2.8

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 259(a), effective 2/6/2017

Amended by 55 N.J.R. 58(a), effective 1/3/2023