N.J. Admin. Code § 8:37-5.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 17, September 3, 2024

Section 8:37-5.4 - Training and staffing requirements

(a) All staff who are employed by the facility who have regular direct contact with residents and are not licensed healthcare professionals shall successfully complete the following:

1. The home health aide course (75 hours) given by a home health agency approved by the State Board of Nursing; and

2. A five-day course given by a registered nurse or other healthcare professional, which shall include:

i. Orientation to the facility;

ii. Specific training regarding Alzheimer's disease; and

3. Incorporate the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hand in Hand: A Training Series for Nursing Homes Toolkit on the care of persons with dementia (information and the manner in which to obtain the toolkit is available at the following website: http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/pubs/HandinHand.aspx). The course shall be divided as follows:

i. Day One: Mission; policies and procedures; rules for residents; rules for staff; scheduling of meals and activities; documentation requirements; residents' rights; confidentiality; and ethical behavior;

ii. Day Two: Safety issues; preventing falls and accidents; fire training and evacuation; infection controls and universal precautions; and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and related issues;

iii. Day Three: Didactic information concerning Alzheimer's disease; audiovisuals; role plays; definition of dementia; associated behaviors of dementia (such as rummaging, wandering, impulsiveness, etc.); distinctive characteristics of individuals with dementia; and use of Senior Living University or similar tapes;

iv. Days Four and Five: Structured observation at a dementia-specific adult day care program or at a dementia unit of an assisted living facility; trainees to observe a multidisciplinary team in action with clients with dementia and to be given structured worksheets to complete; and trainees to participate in discussion sessions with their supervisor each day.

(b) During the first 30 days on the job, a new employee shall be paired with an employee with more than one year of work experience in a dementia care home, so that there will be role-modeling and instant feedback for problem-solving.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:37-5.4

Adopted by 49 N.J.R. 461(a), effective 2/7/2017

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 3981(a), effective 12/18/2017