Sec. 552.052. STATE HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE TRAINING. (a) Before a state hospital employee begins to perform the employee's duties without direct supervision, the department shall provide the employee with competency training and a course of instruction about the general duties of a state hospital employee. Upon completion of such training and instruction, the department shall evaluate the employee for competency. The department shall ensure the basic state hospital employee competency course focuses on:

(1) the uniqueness of the individuals the state hospital employee serves;

(2) techniques for improving quality of life for and promoting the health and safety of individuals with mental illness; and

(3) the conduct expected of state hospital employees.

(b) The department shall ensure the training required by Subsection (a) provides instruction and information regarding topics relevant to providing care for individuals with mental illness, including:

(1) the general operation and layout of the state hospital at which the person is employed, including armed intruder lockdown procedures;

(2) an introduction to mental illness;

(3) an introduction to substance abuse;

(4) an introduction to dual diagnosis;

(5) the rights of individuals with mental illness who receive services from the department;

(6) respecting personal choices made by patients;

(7) the safe and proper use of restraints;

(8) recognizing and reporting:

(A) evidence of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals with mental illness;

(B) unusual incidents;

(C) reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use in the workplace;

(D) workplace violence; or

(E) sexual harassment in the workplace;

(9) preventing and treating infection;

(10) first aid;

(11) cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(12) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191); and

(13) the rights of state hospital employees.

(c) In addition to the training required by Subsection (a) and before a direct care employee begins to perform the direct care employee's duties without direct supervision, the department shall provide the direct care employee with training and instructional information regarding implementation of the interdisciplinary treatment program for each patient for whom the direct care employee will provide direct care, including the following topics:

(1) prevention and management of aggressive or violent behavior;

(2) observing and reporting changes in behavior, appearance, or health of patients;

(3) positive behavior support;

(4) emergency response;

(5) person-directed plans;

(6) self-determination; and

(7) trauma-informed care.

(d) In addition to the training required by Subsection (c), the department shall provide, in accordance with the specialized needs of the population being served, a direct care employee with training and instructional information as necessary regarding:

(1) seizure safety;

(2) techniques for:

(A) lifting;

(B) positioning; and

(C) movement and mobility;

(3) working with aging patients;

(4) assisting patients:

(A) who have a visual impairment;

(B) who have a hearing deficit; or

(C) who require the use of adaptive devices and specialized equipment;

(5) communicating with patients who use augmentative and alternative devices for communication;

(6) assisting patients with personal hygiene;

(7) recognizing appropriate food textures;

(8) using proper feeding techniques to assist patients with meals; and

(9) physical and nutritional management plans.

(e) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules that require a state hospital to provide refresher training courses to employees at least annually, unless the department determines in good faith and with good reason a particular employee's performance will not be adversely affected in the absence of such refresher training.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 395 (S.B. 152), Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2013.