N.J. Admin. Code § 13:37-14.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:37-14.4 - CHHA training program

(a) An agency or educational institution shall apply to the Board pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.6 for written approval to conduct a CHHA training program prior to the commencement of the training program. Program approval shall be valid for a 12-month period.

(b) A CHHA training program shall be conducted by a home care services agency or an educational institution approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education or the Commission on Higher Education.

(c) A CHHA training program shall consist of at least 76 hours. The program shall include 60 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of clinical instruction in a skills laboratory or patient care setting, covering topics outlined in (g) below and N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.5.

(d) The student-to-instructor ratio for classroom instruction shall not exceed 30 students to one classroom instructor.

(e) Classroom and clinical instruction shall be taught by an individual who meets the requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.8(a) and (b).

(f) The student-to-instructor ratio for clinical instruction shall not exceed 10 students to one clinical instructor.

(g) The curriculum for a CHHA training program shall include instruction in:

1. The role of unlicensed assistive personnel in nursing care settings, including:

i. Long term care, acute care, subacute, outpatient services, rehabilitation centers, home care agencies, assisted living and hospice;

ii. The role, responsibilities and scope of practice of the registered nurse;

iii. The role, responsibilities and scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse;

iv. The role and responsibilities of the unlicensed assistive personnel; and

v. Legal and ethical considerations for the unlicensed assistive personnel, such as client rights, confidentiality, accountability, legal documentation, eligibility, reporting physical, mental, verbal, emotional and financial abuse, and maintenance of certification including necessity for unlicensed assistive personnel to complete a course, competency testing and criminal background checks;

2. Foundations for working with people, including:

i. Components of communication;

ii. Factors that affect communication;

iii. Barriers to communication;

iv. Enhancing communication;

v. Skills for basic communication;

vi. Communicating with staff members;

vii. Guidelines for communicating with individuals who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, speech impaired, cognitively impaired, experiencing stress or who have transcultural considerations; and

viii. An introduction to human behavior including instruction on understanding basic human needs, understanding mental health, emotional growth and needs throughout a person's lifetime, behavior as a response to stress or unmet needs, responses to changes in health, spiritual needs and reactions to loss, grief and dying;

3. Foundations for a safe client environment, including:

i. Environmental conditions;

ii. Physical conditions including potential hazards and safety measures;

iii. Emotional conditions including potential hazards and protective measures;

iv. Prevention of, and response to, fire and disaster emergencies;

v. Infection control, including the chain of infection, standard precautions, hazardous waste and special concerns regarding tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B;

vi. Body mechanics; and

vii. Medical emergencies, emergency preparedness and guidelines for handling medical emergencies;

4. The musculoskeletal system, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the musculoskeletal system;

iii. Examples of changes in the musculoskeletal system to report to a nurse; and

iv. Client care procedures related to the musculoskeletal system including exercise, activity and positioning, range of motion, transferring, ambulation, and assistive devices;

5. The integumentary system, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the integumentary system;

iii. General skin care;

iv. Examples of changes in the integumentary system to report to a nurse; and

v. Client care procedures related to the integumentary system including personal hygiene and positioning;

6. The upper gastrointestinal system, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the upper gastrointestinal system;

iii. General care including nutrition across the lifespan, factors affecting nutrition, therapeutic diets and alternative nutrition sources;

iv. Examples of gastrointestinal changes to report to a nurse; and

v. Client care procedures related to upper gastrointestinal system;

7. The lower gastrointestinal system:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the lower gastrointestinal system;

iii. General care including factors affecting bowel elimination;

iv. Examples of gastrointestinal changes to report to a nurse; and

v. Client care procedures related to lower gastrointestinal system;

8. The urinary system, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the urinary system, specifically incontinence;

iii. Examples of urinary changes to report to a nurse; and

iv. Client care procedures related to the urinary system;

9. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;

iii. Examples of cardiovascular or respiratory changes to report to a nurse; and

iv. Client care procedures related to cardiovascular and respiratory systems specifically, vital signs, applying antiembolism stockings, assisting the client to use oxygen and positioning the client for circulatory and respiratory comfort;

10. Neurological system, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the neurological system;

iii. Examples of neurological changes to report to a nurse; and

iv. Client care procedures related to the neurological system, specifically, care needs of a client with cognitive impairment, care of a client with a seizure disorder, care of a client following a stroke and rehabilitation or restorative care;

11. The endocrine system, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the endocrine system;

iii. Changes to report to a nurse, including hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and their causes, symptoms and emergency response; and

iv. Client care related to the endocrine system, specifically foot care, skin care and nutrition for a client with diabetes;

12. The reproductive system, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology;

ii. The structure of, function of and age related changes to reproductive organs;

iii. Common conditions and disorders of the reproductive system, specifically sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS); and

iv. Examples of changes in the reproductive system to report to a nurse;

13. The immune system, including:

i. Overview of anatomy and physiology; and

ii. Common conditions and disorders of the immune system, such as AIDS, HIV and cancer;

14. Rest and sleep, including:

i. Functions of rest and sleep;

ii. Factors affecting and/or causing sleep disturbances; and

iii. Promoting sleep; and

15. Death and dying, including:

i. Responding to the physical and emotional needs of a client with a terminal illness;

ii. Legal and quality of life issues including the New Jersey Advance Directives for Health Care Act (N.J.S.A. 26:2H-53 et seq.), living wills and "do not resuscitate" orders;

iii. Signs of impending death; and

iv. Post-mortem care of the patient.

(h) The Board may conduct an on-site visit of any program prior to approval of the program, or at any other time, in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of this subchapter. If the on-site visit indicates that a program is not in compliance with this subchapter, the Board shall either deny approval of the program or revoke approval.

(i) The program shall inform an individual, before the individual is admitted to a CHHA training program, that a criminal history background check is a pre-requisite for certification as a CHHA.

(j) Every CHHA training program shall include a competency evaluation examination that tests a student's ability to complete the functions of a CHHA.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:37-14.4

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 423(a), effective 3/7/2016