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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
10/12/2024

Article 4. Human Resources

12VAC35-105-390. Confidentiality and security of personnel records.

A. The provider shall maintain an organized system to manage and protect the confidentiality of personnel files and records.

B. Physical and data security controls shall exist for personnel records maintained in electronic databases.

C. Providers shall comply with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Virginians with Disabilities Act regarding retention of employee health-related information in a file separate from personnel files.

Statutory Authority

§ 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011.

12VAC35-105-400. Criminal background checks and registry searches.

A. Providers shall comply with the requirements for obtaining criminal history background checks as outlined in §§ 37.2-416, 37.2-506, and 37.2-607 of the Code of Virginia for individuals hired after July 1, 1999.

B. The provider shall develop a written policy for criminal history background checks and registry searches. The policy shall require at a minimum a disclosure statement stating whether the person has ever been convicted of or is the subject of pending charges for any offense and shall address what actions the provider will take should it be discovered that a person has a founded case of abuse or neglect or both, or a conviction or pending criminal charge.

C. The provider shall submit all information required by the department to complete the criminal history background checks and registry searches.

D. The provider shall maintain the following documentation:

1. The disclosure statement from the applicant stating whether he has ever been convicted of or is the subject of pending charges for any offense; and

2. Documentation that the provider submitted all information required by the department to complete the criminal history background checks and registry searches, memoranda from the department transmitting the results to the provider, if applicable, and the results from the Child Protective Registry search.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-400 of the Code of Virginia.f the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011; Volume 36, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2020.

12VAC35-105-410. Job description.

A. Each employee or contractor shall have a written job description that includes:

1. Job title;

2. Duties and responsibilities required of the position;

3. Job title of the immediate supervisor; and

4. Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities, experience or professional qualifications required for entry level as specified in 12VAC35-105-420.

B. Employees or contractors shall have access to their current job description. The provider shall have written documentation of the mechanism used to advise employees or contractors of changes to their job responsibilities.

Statutory Authority

§ 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011.

12VAC35-105-420. Qualifications of employees or contractors.

A. Any person who assumes the responsibilities of any position as an employee or a contractor shall meet the minimum qualifications of that position as determined by job descriptions.

B. Employees and contractors shall comply, as required, with the regulations of the Department of Health Professions. The provider shall design, implement, and document the process used to verify professional credentials.

C. Supervisors shall have experience in working with individuals being served and in providing the services outlined in the service description.

D. Job descriptions shall include minimum knowledge, skills and abilities, professional qualifications and experience appropriate to the duties and responsibilities required of the position.

E. All staff shall demonstrate a working knowledge of the policies and procedures that are applicable to his specific job or position.

Statutory Authority

§ 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011.

12VAC35-105-430. Employee or contractor personnel records.

A. Employee or contractor personnel records, whether hard-copy or electronic, shall include:

1. Individual identifying information;

2. Education and training history;

3. Employment history;

4. Results of any provider credentialing process including methods of verification of applicable professional licenses or certificates;

5. Results of reasonable efforts to secure job-related references and reasonable verification of employment history;

6. Results of the required criminal background checks and searches of the registry of founded complaints of child abuse and neglect;

7. Results of performance evaluations;

8. A record of disciplinary action taken by the provider, if any;

9. A record of adverse action by any licensing and oversight bodies or organizations, if any; and

10. A record of participation in employee development activities, including orientation.

B. Each employee or contractor personnel record shall be retained in its entirety for a minimum of three years after the employee's or contractor's termination of employment.

Statutory Authority

§ 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011.

12VAC35-105-435. Provision of provider statement to any other provider.

Providers shall give a statement in writing regarding a current or past employee or other individual currently or previously associated with the provider in a capacity that requires a criminal history background check pursuant to § 37.2-416 or 37.2-506 of the Code of Virginia to any other licensed provider with which the current or past employee has applied for employment or to fill a role that requires a criminal history background check pursuant to § 37.2-416 or 37.2-506 of the Code of Virginia. The statement shall address the character, ability, and fitness for employment in or to otherwise fill the role for which the person has applied and shall be provided upon:

1. Receipt of a request for such information from the other licensed provider; and

2. Written consent to the disclosure of such information executed by the current or past employee or other individual currently or previously associated with the provider in a capacity that requires a criminal history background check pursuant to § 37.2-416 or 37.2-506 of the Code of Virginia.

Nothing in this provision shall require disclosure of information subject to privilege or confidentiality pursuant to § 8.01-581.16, 8.01-581.17, or 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia or federal law.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-100 and 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 2, eff. October 30, 2020.

12VAC35-105-440. Orientation of new employees, contractors, volunteers, and students.

New employees, contractors, volunteers, and students shall be oriented commensurate with their function or job-specific responsibilities within 15 business days. The provider shall document that the orientation covers each of the following policies, procedures, and practices:

1. Objectives and philosophy of the provider;

2. Practices of confidentiality including access, duplication, and dissemination of any portion of an individual's record;

3. Practices that assure an individual's rights including orientation to human rights regulations;

4. Applicable personnel policies;

5. Emergency preparedness procedures;

6. Person-centeredness;

7. Infection control practices and measures;

8. Other policies and procedures that apply to specific positions and specific duties and responsibilities; and

9. Serious incident reporting, including when, how, and under what circumstances a serious incident report must be submitted and the consequences of failing to report a serious incident to the department in accordance with this chapter.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011; Volume 36, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2020.

12VAC35-105-450. Employee training and development.

The provider shall provide training and development opportunities for employees to enable them to support the individuals receiving services and to carry out their job responsibilities. The provider shall develop a training policy that addresses the frequency of retraining on serious incident reporting, medication administration, behavior intervention, emergency preparedness, and infection control, to include flu epidemics. Employee participation in training and development opportunities shall be documented and accessible to the department.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011; Volume 36, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2020.

12VAC35-105-460. Emergency medical or first aid training.

There shall be at least one employee or contractor on duty at each location who holds a current certificate (i) issued by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or comparable authority in standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or (ii) as an emergency medical technician. A licensed medical professional who holds a current professional license shall be deemed to hold a current certificate in first aid, but not in CPR. The certification process shall include a hands-on, in-person demonstration of first aid and CPR competency.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011; Volume 36, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2020.

12VAC35-105-470. Notification of policy changes.

All employees or contractors shall be kept informed of policy changes that affect performance of duties. The provider shall have written documentation of the process used to advise employees or contractors of policy changes.

Statutory Authority

§ 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011.

12VAC35-105-480. Employee or contractor performance evaluation.

A. The provider shall implement a written policy for evaluating employee and contractor performance.

B. Employee development needs and plans shall be a part of the performance evaluation.

C. The provider shall evaluate employee and contractor performance at least annually.

Statutory Authority

§ 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011.

12VAC35-105-490. Written grievance policy.

The provider shall implement a written grievance policy and shall inform employees of grievance procedures. The provider shall have documentation of the process used to advise employees of grievance procedures.

Statutory Authority

§ 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011.

12VAC35-105-500. Students and volunteers.

A. The provider shall implement a written policy that clearly defines and communicates the requirements for the use and responsibilities of students and volunteers including selection and supervision.

B. The provider shall not rely on students or volunteers to supplant direct care positions. The provider staffing plan shall not include volunteers or students.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011; Volume 36, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2020.

12VAC35-105-510. Tuberculosis screening.

A. Each new employee, contractor, student, or volunteer who will have direct contact with individuals receiving services shall obtain a statement of certification by a qualified licensed practitioner indicating the absence of tuberculosis in a communicable form within 30 days of employment or initial contact with individuals receiving services. The employee shall submit a copy of the original screening to the provider. A statement of certification shall not be required for a new employee who has separated from service with another licensed provider with a break in service of six months or less or who is currently working for another licensed provider.

B. All employees, contractors, students, or volunteers in substance abuse co-occurring outpatient or residential treatment services shall be certified as tuberculosis free on an annual basis by a qualified licensed practitioner.

C. Any employee, contractor, student, or volunteer who comes in contact with a known case of active tuberculosis disease or who develops symptoms of active tuberculosis disease (including, but not limited to fever, chills, hemoptysis, cough, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss , or anorexia) of three weeks duration shall be screened as determined appropriate for continued contact with employees, contractors, students, volunteers, or individuals receiving services based on consultation with the local health department.

D. An employee, contractor, student, or volunteer suspected of having active tuberculosis shall not be permitted to return to work or have contact with employees, contractors, students, volunteers , or individuals receiving services until a physician has determined that the person is free of active tuberculosis.

Statutory Authority

§ 37.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. September 19, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011.

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