Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 410 § 410.598 — Training and testing for home care workers and personal support workers; rules

Training and testing for home care workers and personal support workers; rules. (1) The Department of Human Services, acting on behalf of and subject to the approval of the Home Care Commission, shall adopt by rule minimum training standards for home care workers and personal support workers and shall establish procedures for testing home care workers and personal support workers on their mastery of the skills and knowledge to be acquired through the training. The training standards must require a minimum number of hours of orientation and assessment of competency before a home care worker or personal support worker is permitted to provide home care services to a client. The minimum number of hours may be greater for home care workers who will be providing enhanced care and services, such as medication management. (2) The department shall provide training on the mandatory training topics established under this subsection and on any other training that the department or the commission deems appropriate for the professionalization of home care workers and personal support workers. The training provided pursuant to this section may include, but is not limited to, training on the following topics: (a) Safety and emergency measures. (b) Understanding the requirements for providers paid with Medicaid funds. (c) Providing person-centered care. (d) Understanding how to support the physical and emotional needs of the individual who is receiving care. (e) Managing medications. (f) Providing personal care and assistance with activities of daily living. (3) The training provided in accordance with this section must be geographically accessible in all areas of this state and culturally appropriate for workers of all language abilities. (4) In developing the training provided under this section, the department shall: (a) Consider the needs of each worker type, including workers who are relatives of the individuals receiving care, workers who provide respite care, experienced workers and new workers; and (b) Strive to align the training with the training requirements for care providers in other long term care settings. (5) The department shall consult with the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Committee, unions representing home care workers and personal support workers and other stakeholders in the adoption of rules to carry out the provisions of this section. [2018 c.75 §2; 2019 c.680 §6]