Kentucky has nearly 300 nursing homes with close to 30,000 beds. Nursing homes in Kentucky have a duty to provide competent, compassionate care to residents with respect for each elderly resident’s human dignity. One of the ways that the state promotes this goal is to require adequate training for nursing home caregivers and staff so they can provide high-quality care and protect the safety and dignity of their residents.
If you suspect your loved one is not receiving this standard of care, consult a nursing home abuse lawyer in Louisville to ensure their rights are protected.
What Are the Minimum Training Requirements for Nursing Home Staff Members?
Nursing home facilities in Kentucky provide continuous personal care for elderly residents, meet basic healthcare needs, and provide stimulating social activities. Kentucky mandates that caregivers with direct contact with residents meet the state’s minimum requirement for training and receive state certifications. Necessary certifications include Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) training and certification, CPR training and certification, and specialized training in the care of residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
What Is the Process for Certification as a CNA to Work In a Nursing Home?
Most caregivers in Kentucky nursing homes tasked with the routine daily care of residents are Certified Nursing Assistants. To become a CNA, the candidate must do the following:
- Meet the eligibility requirements, including having a high school diploma or GED and passing a criminal background check
- Must attend and complete a state-certified nurse’s aid training program
- Must pass a competency evaluation program
- Pass a written exam and a skills exam
To maintain a CNA, a nurse’s aide must complete 12 hours of training per year and perform at least 8 hours of nursing duties annually.
CPR Training for Nursing Home Certification in Kentucky
Nursing home staff members must undergo training in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques. This requires completing a training course approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The training must be a hands-on course with an in-person assessment—not online training. Nursing home caregivers must maintain their up-to-date certifications.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care Training for Nursing Home Staff
All direct-care nursing home staff members in Kentucky must complete specialized training for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease care. The requirements for this certification include the following:
- At least six hours of a cabinet-approved training course within the first sixty days of the caregiver’s employment in a nursing home
- A minimum of an additional three hours of annual training
The yearly training keeps nursing home caregivers updated on the most current information on best practices in the care and treatment of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
The approved program for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease care features person-centered care. According to the Kentucky Legislature, this care must support the following:
“The advancement of optimal functioning and a high quality of life, use of problem-solving approaches to care, and techniques that ensure and preserve the recipient’s respect, values, choice, and dignity.”
To gain a certification, the candidate must attend the entire course and obtain a passing score on the final assessment upon completion.
A nursing home caregiver who ceases working with elderly residents with dementia for 24 months or more must complete a new certification.
Nursing homes in Kentucky have a duty of care to ensure that all staff members meet or exceed the required standards for training and certification.