FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREGIVING CLASSES

Individual providers and home care agency providers must meet certain requirements. Providers must:

• Be at least eighteen years old;
• Pass a criminal background check;
• Successfully complete orientation before providing services;
• Complete DSHS-approved training, which includes the 28-hour Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, and ten hours of continuing education each following year.

Additionally, individual providers must sign a Client Service contract and complete 4 hours of Safety Training.

DSHS and AAAs evaluate and monitor individual providers before they are hired by the client and throughout their employment with the client. Social workers have the right to deny a client’s choice of provider, or terminate a provider who provides poor quality of care or jeopardizes the health, safety, or well-being of the client. The social worker may summarily suspend a provider's contract when there is a reasonable good faith belief that the client is in imminent jeopardy.

What content must be included in an orientation?

Orientation may include the use of videotapes, audiotapes, and other media if the person overseeing the orientation is available to answer questions or concerns for the person(s) receiving the orientation. Orientation must include introductory information in the following areas:

(1) The care setting;
(2) The characteristics and special needs of the population served;
(3) Fire and life safety, including:
    (a) Emergency communication (including phone system if one exists);
    (b) Evacuation planning (including fire alarms and fire extinguishers where they exist);
   (c) Ways to handle client injuries and falls or other accidents;
   (d) Potential risks to clients or providers (for instance, aggressive client behaviors and how to handle them); and
   (e) The location of agency policies and procedures, when orientation takes place in a home care agency.
(4) Communication skills and information, including:
   (a) Methods for supporting effective communication among the client/guardian, the provider, and family members;
   (b) Use of verbal and nonverbal communication;
   (c) Review of written communications and/or documentation required for the job, including the client's service plan; and
   (d) Whom to contact about problems and concerns.
(5) Universal precautions and infection control, including:
   (a) Proper hand washing techniques;
   (b) Protection from exposure to blood and other body fluids;
   (c) Appropriate disposal of contaminated/hazardous articles;
   (d) Reporting exposure to contaminated articles, blood, or other body fluids; and
   (e) What a provider should do if they are ill.
(6) Client rights, including:
   (a) The client's right to confidentiality of information about the client;
   (b) The client's right to participate in decisions about the client's care, and to refuse care;
   (c) The provider's duty to protect and promote the rights of each client, and assist the client to exercise his or her rights;
    (d) How and to whom providers should report any concerns they may have about a client's decision concerning the client's care, including the client's case manager;
   (e) Providers' duty to report any suspected abuse, abandonment, neglect, or exploitation of a client;
    (f) Advocates that are available to help clients (LTC ombudsmen, organizations); and
   (g) Complaint lines, hot lines, and client grievance procedures.

What core knowledge and skills must be taught in basic training?

The basic training knowledge and skills must include all of the learning outcomes and competencies published by the department for the following core knowledge and skills:
(1) Understanding and using effective interpersonal and problem solving skills with clients, family members, and other care team members;
(2) Taking appropriate action to promote and protect client rights, dignity, and independence;
(3) Taking appropriate action to promote and protect the health and safety of the client and the caregiver;
(4) Correctly performing required personal care tasks while incorporating client preferences, maintaining the client's privacy and dignity, and creating opportunities that encourage client independence;
(5) Adhering to basic job standards and expectations.

The following topics are included in the 28 hour Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving (RFOC) classes:

The Client and Client Rights
The Caregiver
Infection Control
Mobility
Basic Communication
Skin and Body Care
Nutrition and Food Handling
The Process of Elimination
Medications and Other Treatments
Self Care and the Caregiver
Common Diseases and ConditionsWAC 388-71-05730
Who is required to complete basic training, and when?

Individual providers and home care agency providers must complete basic training developed by the department and demonstrate competency within one hundred twenty days after being authorized to provide department-paid in-home services for a client. A certificate of successful completion of basic training, using a curriculum developed or approved by the department, meets this requirement.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing Education: If you are eligible to accrue continuing education credits, please be sure to check with your case manager or contract manager to ensure your course meets continuing education requirements BEFORE enrolling.

What kinds of training topics are required for continuing education?

Continuing education must be on a topic relevant to the care setting and care needs of clients, including but not limited to:

(1) Client rights;
(2) Personal care (such as transfers or skin care);
(3) Mental illness;
(4) Dementia;
(5) Developmental disabilities;
(6) Depression;
(7) Medication assistance;
(8) Communication skills;
(9) Positive client behavior support;
(10) Developing or improving client centered activities;
(11) Dealing with wandering or aggressive client behaviors; and
(12) Medical conditions.