Section 550.415 - Staffing Policies for Staff Orientation, Development, and Training(a) A center must adopt and enforce a written staffing policies and procedures that govern all staff providing services on behalf of the center, including employees, volunteers, and contractors.(b) A center's written staffing policies must include: (1) requirements for orientation to the policies, procedures, and objectives of the center;(2) requirements and procedures for processing criminal history checks;(3) requirements that staff are current on immunizations;(4) requirements that an applicant for employment provide written documentation to rule out communicable diseases, including but not limited to tuberculosis;(5) requirements for direct care staff to demonstrate the necessary skills and competency to meet the direct care needs of a minor to which he or she is assigned and as described in their job description;(6) requirements for staff to participate in appropriate employee development programs quarterly;(7) requirements for participation by all staff in job-specific training;(8) staff training policies that ensure: (A) staff are properly oriented to tasks performed;(B) demonstration of competency for tasks when competency cannot be determined through education, license, certification, or experience;(C) quarterly continuing systemic training for all staff who provide services, including training on infection prevention and control;(D) staff are informed of changes in techniques, philosophies, organization, minor's rights, ethics and confidentiality, medical record requirements, information relating to minor's development, goals, and products relating to a minor's care;(E) staff are properly oriented and trained in the proper use of person-centered direction and guidance as outlined in center policy and in accordance with § 550.206 of this subchapter (relating to Person-Centered Direction and Guidance);(F) staff are properly oriented and trained in the proper use and application of protective devices; and(G) staff are properly oriented and trained in the proper use and application of restraints in accordance with the following requirements: (i) all center staff whose job responsibilities include the use of restraint during a behavioral emergency must be trained before assuming direct care responsibilities for a minor;(ii) all center staff must receive training and demonstrate competency in the following areas: (I) using any restraint techniques or procedures that are expected or anticipated to be employed;(II) identifying the underlying causes or functions of threatening behaviors;(III) understanding how the behavior of staff members affects the behavior of minors;(IV) using de-escalation, mediation, self-protection, and other techniques, such as quiet time, to prevent or reduce the use of restraint;(V) applying principles of trauma informed care; and(VI) recognizing and responding to signs of distress in a minor who is being restrained; and(iii) all center staff must complete training and demonstrate competence in the use of restraint in a behavioral emergency at least every 12 months following initial training; and(H) job-specific training is documented with the following information: (i) the name and qualifications of the trainer;(ii) the training topics and length; and(iii) a list of staff who completed the training and demonstrated competence;(9) a requirement to have a written job description that is a statement of the functions and responsibilities, and job qualifications, including the specific education and training requirements for each position at the center;(10) procedures for searching the nurse aide registry and the employee misconduct registry for staff in accordance with § 550.418 of this division (relating to Criminal History Checks, Nurse Aid Registry (NAR) and Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) Requirements);(11) a requirement to have annual evaluation of employee and volunteer performance;(12) a description of employee and volunteer disciplinary action and procedures;(13) a policy regarding the use of volunteers that is in compliance with § 550.414 of this division (relating to Volunteers); and(14) a requirement that all staff providing services on behalf of a center sign a statement that the staff have read, understand, and will comply with all applicable center policies.(c) A center must adopt and enforce written policies and procedures for parent orientation and training programs in accordance with § 550.509 of this subchapter (relating to Parent Training). The policy must: (1) require orientation be provided to each parent of each minor admitted to the center; and(2) ensure that orientation includes: (A) the philosophy of the center;(B) the basic services as defined in this chapter;(C) on-going parent training needs as determined by the individual needs of the minor;(D) a minor's parent agreement and disclosure form;(E) the center attendance policy for minors; and(F) information about a minor's rights while receiving services at the center.26 Tex. Admin. Code § 550.415
The provisions of this §550.415 adopted to be effective September 1, 2014, 39 TexReg 6569; Transferred from Title 40, Chapter 15 by Texas Register, Volume 44, Number 15, April 12, 2019, TexReg 1875, eff. 5/1/2019