(a) Each residential care facility for the elderly licensed under this chapter shall ensure that each employee of the facility who assists residents with the self-administration of medications meets all of the following training requirements: (1) In facilities licensed to provide care for 16 or more persons, the employee shall complete 24 hours of initial training. This training shall consist of 16 hours of hands-on shadowing training, which shall be completed prior to assisting with the self-administration of medications, and 8 hours of other training or instruction, as described in subdivision (f), which shall be completed within the first four weeks of employment. (2) In facilities licensed to provide care for 15 or fewer persons, the employee shall complete 10 hours of initial training. This training shall consist of 6 hours of hands-on shadowing training, which shall be completed prior to assisting with the self-administration of medications, and 4 hours of other training or instruction, as described in subdivision (f), which shall be completed within the first two weeks of employment. (3) An employee shall be required to complete the training requirements for hands-on shadowing training described in this subdivision prior to assisting any resident in the self-administration of medications. The training and instruction described in this subdivision shall be completed, in their entirety, within the first two weeks of employment. (4) The training shall cover all of the following areas: (A) The role, responsibilities, and limitations of staff who assist residents with the self-administration of medication, including tasks limited to licensed medical professionals. (B) An explanation of the terminology specific to medication assistance. (C) An explanation of the different types of medication orders: prescription, over-the-counter, controlled, and other medications. (D) An explanation of the basic rules and precautions of medication assistance. (E) Information on medication forms and routes for medication taken by residents. (F) A description of procedures for providing assistance with the self-administration of medications in and out of the facility, and information on the medication documentation system used in the facility. (G) An explanation of guidelines for the proper storage, security, and documentation of centrally stored medications. (H) A description of the processes used for medication ordering, refills, and the receipt of medications from the pharmacy. (I) An explanation of medication side effects, adverse reactions, errors, the adverse effects of psychotropic drugs for use in controlling the behavior of persons with dementia, and the increased risk of death when elderly residents with dementia are given antipsychotic medications. (5) To complete the training requirements set forth in this subdivision, each employee shall pass an examination that tests the employeeâs comprehension of, and competency in, the subjects listed in paragraph (4). (6) Residential care facilities for the elderly shall encourage pharmacists and licensed medical professionals to use plain English when preparing labels on medications supplied to residents. As used in this section, âplain Englishâ means that no abbreviations, symbols, or Latin medical terms shall be used in the instructions for the self-administration of medication. (7) The training requirements of this section are not intended to replace or supplant those required of all staff members who assist residents with personal activities of daily living as set forth in Sections 1569.625 and 1569.696. (8) The training requirements of this section shall be repeated if either of the following occur: (A) An employee returns to work for the same licensee after a break of service of more than 180 consecutive calendar days. (B) An employee goes to work for another licensee in a facility in which he or she assists residents with the self-administration of medication. (b) Each employee
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