Assisted Living Facilities: Training

• At least 80 hours of attendance;
• Participation at training programs that provide for direct interaction between faculty and participants; and
• An authorization of no more than 25 hours of training through Internet courses, correspondence courses, tapes, or other training methods that do not require direct interaction between faculty and participants.

See also the Department-approved training courses.

Continuing Education - In addition to the manager training course, ALF managers are required to complete 20 hours of Department-approved continuing education every 2 years.

Non-Managerial Staff
All non-managerial staff must participate in an orientation program and on-going training to ensure that the residents receive services that are consistent with their needs and generally accepted standards of care. Non-managers staff must receive training in a variety of topics.

• Fire and life safety;
• Infection control, including standard precautions;
• Basic food safety;
• Basic first aid;
• Emergency disaster plans; and
• Individual job requirements as appropriate to their job responsibilities

Chart illustrating the required training for a managers and non-managerial staff

Dementia Training – All staff members who are licensed, certified, or registered (e.g. physicians, nurses, physical therapists, dietitian-nutritionists, psychologists, etc.) under the Health Occupations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland as well as those employees whose job duties include assisting residents with activities of daily living are required to complete at least 8 hours of training on cognitive impairment and mental illness within the first 90 days of employment. All other employees must only receive 2 hours of dementia training within their first 90 days of employment. See the above table for resources that will provide training.

• The Alzheimer’s Association provides Department-approved dementia training courses.
• The Copper Ridge Institute provides dementia training as well.

Training for Delegating Nurses - A delegating nurse is a registered nurse working in an assisted living facility who delegates and oversees nursing functions to other members of the ALF staff. These functions include administering medication and/or teaching medication technicians how to administer medications. For approved training courses for nurses wishing to work as delegating nurses in an ALF, contact the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Medication Technicians - A medication technician is member of the ALF staff who has completed a required 20 hour training course in medication administration with a delegating nurse. The Maryland Board of Nursing provides instructions on how to contact a delegating nurse in your county and get the required training.

Other Useful Resources

Maryland Department of Aging - Some training for other, non-managerial staff is provided and/or recommended by local agencies through the Maryland Department of Aging.

Training opportunities that are sponsored by DHMH or training which OHCQ is presenting

Tips from Other ALF operators -  See best practice tips from ALF operators regarding training resources and hiring and training staff.