Library: Policy

340:100-3-38.2. Training requirements for staff providing employment services

Revised 9-15-17

(a) Applicability.Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:100-3-38.2 sets forth training requirements for provider agency staff, volunteers, and direct supervisors providing either full- or part-time direct supports for a service recipient receiving:

(1) center-based services;

(2) community-based services;

(3) sheltered workshop services;

(4) job coaching services, excluding services per OAC 317:40-7-8; or

(5) other supported employment services.

(b) New employee training.No later than 30-calendar days following the hire date, staff providing direct supports or supervising the delivery of direct supports at any level must complete the online or first available Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)-approved foundation training course and effective teaching course.The first available class is the first unfilled class held within 60 miles of the staff's work location following the staff's hire date.

(c) First aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Direct support staff must be certified in an approved course of first aid and CPR before providing services alone or with other untrained staff.

(1) First aid and CPR certification of each staff must occur within 90-calendar days following the staff's hire date.

(2) The service recipient's Personal Support Team (Team) may determine, based on the service recipient's needs, that staff must receive first aid and CPR certification in less than 90-calendar days.

(d) Medication administration training.Staff must be certified in an approved medication administration course per OAC 340:100-3-38.10 before administering medication to a service recipient or assisting with a service recipient's medication support plan.

(e) Individual-specific in-service training.Individual-specific in-service training is identified for direct support staff in the service recipient's Individual Plan (Plan).

(1) Training requirements are based on the service recipient's identified needs through team discussion and review of available assessment information.

(2) The service recipient's Team specifies required completion time frames of individual-specific in-service training.When time frames are not identified in the Plan, required individual-specific in-service training must be completed before working with the service recipient.

(3) As the service recipient's needs require changes in supports or programs, the Team documents in the Plan or in addenda to the Plan, any new or additional in-service training required, with completion time frames.

(4) Individual-specific training is provided by the person or persons designated by the Team and identified by position in the Plan, per rule, statute, and professional practice regulations, when applicable.

(5) The responsible Team member verifies staff has knowledge and skills necessary to provide the identified services.Videos may be used when approved by the Team.

(f) Job-specific training.

(1) Staff must complete:

(A) general employment training within 90-calendar days after assignment date; and

(B) employment specialist training within six months after assignment date as job coach or other position providing supported employment service.  • 1

(2) Staff who works in both residential and employment or other settings must meet the job-specific training requirements of both jobs.Transfers to avoid required training completion are prohibited.

(g) Specialized training.Additional specialized training may be required for direct support staff working with service recipients who have significant health, physical, or behavior support issues.

(1) Staff supporting a service recipient with a protective intervention protocol (PIP) that includes non-restrictive intervention techniques must be trained on these techniques before use.

(2) Completion of an approved behavior support course is required for staff supporting a service recipient with a PIP that:

(A) addresses challenging behavior that places the service recipient's physical safety, environment, relationships, or community participation at serious risk; and

(B) contains one or more of these procedures:

(i) physical guidance to overcome resistance;

(ii) physical guidance to move to safety; or

(iii) physical hold to restrict movement.

(3) The approved behavior support course is identified in the Plan and must be completed before working alone or with other untrained staff, but no later than 60-calendar days after starting work with the service recipient.

(4) Staff must complete the approved physical management course before using any technique of physical management identified in a PIP.

(A) All staff must complete foundation training with the approved effective teaching course and behavior support course.

(B) Staff working with the service recipient implements the positive components of the PIP and non-intrusive procedures to assist the service recipient during a crisis.

(C) The PIP must be reviewed and approved by the Statewide Human Rights and Behavior Review Committee.

(D) Training in physical management procedures occurs only within the requirements of this subsection.

(E) Only staff and staff supervisors who provide support to the service recipient are trained on the use of a physical management procedure.

(F) Staff formally trained to use physical management procedures, does not use those techniques with other service recipients, except in emergencies per OAC 340:100-5-57.

(G) Training curricula regarding behavior support are approved by the DDS human resource development and behavioral supports director.

(5) Training regarding physical management procedures must be obtained from trainers approved by the DDS human resource development director.

(6) Staff must complete an annual retraining on the physical management or physical restraint procedures in the approved PIP.

(h) Ongoing training.Direct support staff employed by provider agencies completes 12 hours of approved annual training.

(1) Annual training may come from:

(A) required re-certification classes in first aid, CPR, and medication administration training;

(B) courses per OAC 340:100-3-38(b)(1);

(C) courses, conferences, or workshops approved by the DDS human resource development director;

(D) individual-specific training; or

(E) agency-specific in-services.

(2) Direct support staff who supervises other staff must take 12 hours of supervisory training annually that may be included in the hours required per this Section.

(3) Direct support staff may challenge or test out of required annual recertification when an approved option is available.Training completion hours are granted equal to the number of hours for the standard recertification class.

(i) Exceptions.Exceptions to training requirements per this Section may be made by the DDS director or designee.

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:100-3-38.2