Library: Policy

340:100-3-38.13. Training requirements for staff providing supports in alternative group homes

Revised 9-15-17

(a) Applicability.Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC)340:100-3-38.13 sets forth training requirements for staff, volunteers, and direct supervisors providing direct supports for a service recipient in an alternative group home per OAC 340:100-5-22.6.

(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) A service recipient's Team specifies required completion time frames for 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) within 90-calendar days after assignment date:

(i) Health course; and

(ii) Ethical and Legal Issues course; and

(B) within six months after date of assignment:

(i) Communication course; and

(ii) Skill Building course.

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

(g) Specialized training.Additional specialized training is required for each direct support staff working with service recipients in an alternative group home.

(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) Staff must complete the approved:

(A) behavior support course before working alone or with other untrained staff, but no later than 60-calendar days after starting work with the service recipient; and

(B) physical management course before using any technique of physical management identified in the PIP.

(i) Staff working with the service recipient implements the positive components of the Plan, as well as non-intrusive procedures to assist the service recipient during a crisis prior to using physical management techniques.

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

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

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

(5) Staff must complete:

(A) an annual retraining on the physical management or physical restraint procedures in the approved protective intervention plan; and

(B) the DDS approved orientation specific to community protection issues within 60-calendar days of starting work with the service recipient.

(h) Ongoing training.Direct support staff employed by provider agencies complete 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 supervising 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.