Sec. 555.024. CENTER EMPLOYEE TRAINING. (a) Before a center 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 center employee. The department shall ensure the basic center employee competency course focuses on:

(1) the uniqueness of the individuals the center employee serves;

(2) techniques for improving quality of life for and promoting the health and safety of individuals with an intellectual disability; and

(3) the conduct expected of center employees.

(b) The department shall ensure the training required by Subsection (a) provides instruction and information regarding the following topics:

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

(2) an introduction to intellectual disabilities;

(3) an introduction to autism;

(4) an introduction to mental illness and dual diagnosis;

(5) the rights of individuals with an intellectual disability who receive services from the department;

(6) respecting personal choices made by residents and clients;

(7) the safe and proper use of restraints;

(8) recognizing and reporting:

(A) evidence of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals with an intellectual disability;

(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 center 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 a direct care employee with training and instructional information regarding implementation of the interdisciplinary treatment program for each resident or client 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 residents and clients;

(3) positive behavior support;

(4) emergency response;

(5) person-directed plans;

(6) self-determination;

(7) seizure safety;

(8) techniques for:

(A) lifting;

(B) positioning; and

(C) movement and mobility;

(9) working with aging residents and clients;

(10) assisting residents and clients:

(A) who have a visual impairment;

(B) who have a hearing deficit; or

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

(11) communicating with residents and clients who use augmentative and alternative devices for communication;

(12) assisting residents and clients with personal hygiene;

(13) recognizing appropriate food textures;

(14) using proper feeding techniques to assist residents and clients with meals;

(15) physical and nutritional management plans; and

(16) home and community-based services, including the principles of community inclusion and participation and the community living options information process.

(d) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules that require a center to provide refresher training courses to direct care employees on a regular basis.

(e) A center may allow an employee of an ICF-IID licensed by the department, an employee of a person licensed or certified to provide Section 1915(c) waiver program services, or another employee or professional involved in the provision of services to persons with an intellectual disability to receive information and training under this section, as appropriate. The center may charge an administrative fee in an amount not to exceed the cost of providing the information or training.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 284 (S.B. 643), Sec. 22, eff. June 11, 2009.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1348, eff. April 2, 2015.