OAR 418-020-0035: Mandatory Training and Competency Evaluations - Effective 9/1/2021

(1) Training curriculum shall be reviewed and approved by the Commission prior to use at mandatory training. (2) Mandatory training shall be geographically accessible in all areas of the state. (3) Mandatory training shall be culturally appropriate for providers of all language abilities. (a) If a training is not available in the provider’s preferred language, interpreter services shall be made available. (b) Training materials shall be culturally appropriate and accessible to providers in their preferred language. Reasonable efforts shall be made to accommodate language requests when there is adequate demand for the materials in the preferred language. (c) Reasonable accommodations shall be provided in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act for providers who experience a disability. (4) Mandatory core training. (a) Effective September 1, 2021, providers are required to complete eight hours of core training within 120 days of enrolling as a Medicaid provider. (b) Providers are exempt from 418-020-0035(4)(a) if they have a current certification awarded by the Commission as described in 418-020-0030(3) and continue to meet the on-going certification requirements. (c) Core training topics include, but are not limited to: (A) Safety and emergency measures. (B) Understanding requirements for providers paid with Medicaid funds. (C) Providing person-centered services and supports. (D) Understanding how to support the physical and emotional needs of the individual receiving services. (E) Managing medications. (F) Providing personal care and assistance with activities of daily living. (d) In addition to the core training topics described in OAR 418-020-0035(4)(c)(A) through (F), ODHS and the Commission may establish other training topics deemed appropriate for the professionalization of this workforce. (5) Continuing education. (a) Providers with an approved to work end date of March 1, 2026, or later, are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education by the end of the provider’s 24-month approved to work credential on an ongoing basis. (b) Providers are exempt from 418-020-0035(5)(a) if they have a current certification awarded by the Commission as described in 418-020-0030(3) and continue to meet the on-going certification requirements. (c) Providers are required to complete cultural competency training as part of their continuing education requirements. (d) Providers who complete continuing education courses between April 1, 2023, and March 1, 2026, will receive training credit toward the initial continuing education requirements in 418-020-0035(5)(a). (6) Orientation and core training competency evaluations. (a) Competency evaluations shall be based on the CMS Direct Service Workforce Core Competencies. (b) Competency evaluations shall measure a provider’s mastery of the skills and knowledge acquired through training. (c) Providers enrolled on or after September 1, 2021, shall complete competency evaluations after the completion of orientation and core training. (d) Providers enrolled on or after September 1, 2021, must pass competency evaluations to receive credit for completing orientation and core training. (e) Competency evaluations shall be available in a manner that accommodates a provider’s literacy skills and preferred language. (f) The methodology and standards used for competency evaluations must be reviewed and approved by the Oregon Home Care Commission.