Section 29-5103. HOME HEALTH AIDES

 

5103.1Each home health aide shall meet the following qualifications:

 

(e)Be at least 18 years of age;

 

(f)Be a citizen of the United States or an alien who is lawfully authorized to work in the United States;

 

(g)Complete a home health aide training program that includes at least seventy- five (75) hours of classroom training with at least sixteen (16) hours devoted to supervised practical training and pass a competency evaluation for those services which the home health aide is required to perform consistent with the requirements set forth in 42 CFR 484.36;

 

(h)Be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation ("CPR") and thereafter obtain CPR certification annually;

 

(i)Be able to read and write the English language at the fifth (5th) grade level and carry out instructions and directions;

 

(j)Be able to recognize an emergency and be knowledgeable about emergency procedures;

 

(k)Be knowledgeable about infection control procedures;

 

(l)Be acceptable to the patient;

 

(m)Demonstrate annually that he or she is free from communicable disease as confirmed by an annual PPD Skin Test or documentation from a physician stating that the person is free from communicable disease;

 

(n)Pass a criminal background check pursuant to the Health-Care Facility Unlicensed Personnel Criminal Background Check Act of 1998, effective April 20, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-238; D.C. Official Code, § 44-551 et seq.); and

 

(o)Provide documentation of acceptance or declination of the Hepatitis vaccine.

 

5103.2After the first year of service, each home health aide shall complete at least twelve hours of continuing education or in-service training annually. The in-service training may be furnished while the aide is furnishing care to the patient under the supervision of a registered nurse or other appropriate health care professional.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 3957 (May 23, 2003).