Virginia Law

A. Within three months of the starting date of employment, the administrator shall attend 12 hours of training in working with individuals who have a cognitive impairment, and the training shall meet the requirements of subsection C of this section.

1. Training in cognitive impairment that meets the requirements of subsection C of this section and was completed in the year prior to employment is transferable and counts toward the required 12 hours if there is documentation of the training.

2. Whether the training counts toward continuing education for administrator licensure and for what period of time depends upon the licensure requirements of the Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators.

B. Within four months of the starting date of employment, direct care staff shall attend six hours of training in working with individuals who have a cognitive impairment, and the training shall meet the requirements of subsection C of this section.

1. The six-hour training received within the first four months of employment is counted toward the annual training requirement for the first year.

2. Training in cognitive impairment that meets the requirements of subsection C of this section and was completed in the year prior to employment is transferable if there is documentation of the training.

3. The documented previous cognitive impairment training referenced in subdivision 2 of this subsection is counted toward the required six hours but not toward the annual training requirement.

C. Curriculum for the training in cognitive impairment for direct care staff and administrators shall be developed by a qualified health professional or by a licensed social worker, shall be relevant to the population in care, shall maximize the level of a resident's functional ability, and shall include:

1. Information about cognitive impairment, including areas such as cause, progression, behaviors, and management of the condition;

2. Communicating with the resident;

3. Resident care techniques for residents with physical, cognitive, behavioral, and social disabilities;

4. Managing dysfunctional behavior;

5. Creating a therapeutic environment;

6. Planning and facilitating activities appropriate for each resident; and

7. Identifying and alleviating safety risks to residents with cognitive impairment.

D. Within the first month of employment, staff, other than the administrator and direct care staff, shall complete two hours of training on the nature and needs of residents with cognitive impairments relevant to the population in care.