N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants

What this rule requires your agency to do

• 1Personal care assistant certification is valid for two years; the PCA must file a renewal application at least once every two years and complete an updated criminal history background check.(N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants)
• 2To renew certification, the PCA must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education in assisted living concepts (including cognitive/physical impairment and dementia) every two years.(N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants)
• 3The facility must maintain records sufficient to verify the continuing education record of present and previous employees for at least one renewal period.(N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants)
• 4A certified nurse aide or CHHA functioning as a PCA is subject to the same continuing education, annual registry inquiry, and background-check requirements.(N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants)
• 5Each personal care assistant must have completed a Department-approved nurse aide training course and passed the NJ Nurse Aide Certification Examination, OR a Board of Nursing-approved homemaker-home health aide training program with Board certification, OR a Department-approved PCA training course plus approved competency evaluation resulting in PCA certification.(N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants)
• 6An individual certified via the PCA training route must have completed the criminal history background check required by N.J.A.C. 8:43I before certification.(N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants)
• 7Each personal care assistant and direct caregiver must receive orientation prior to or upon employment and ongoing in-service education on assisted living concepts.(N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants)
• 8The facility must not employ a person as a PCA without first making inquiry to the NJ Certified Personal Care Assistant Registry, NJ Certified Nurse Aide Registry, or other applicable State agency registry; registry confirmation does not satisfy the separate reference-check requirement under N.J.A.C. 8:43I.(N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 - Qualifications of personal care assistants)