I wanted to let you know that PHI had done extensive work defining core competencies for direct-care workers. This began with initiatives of the U.S. Department of Labor working first with the Council on Experiential and Adult learning (CAEL) to develop an apprenticeship for Certified Nursing Assistants and then on our own to develop one for Home Health Aides. More recently, those efforts have helped inform work we are doing for Pennsylvania to define core competencies for all direct-care workers providing long-term services and support including personal care as well as the additional competencies (primarily clinical skills) needed for those working as nursing assistants in nursing facilities or as home health aides. We have also developed a model curriculum for teaching the core competencies. A number of other states are also currently looking at the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in providing personal care services, an area where training requirements are quite variable across states and across programs within states. And many are taking fresh look at their training requirements for CNAs to see whether current requirements are adequate for preparing potential workers for these increasingly demanding jobs. PHI is encouraged that this competency-based approach will lead to more effective educational programs as well as a better trained workforce.

Hope this is helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you would like any additional information on our efforts in this area.

Steve Edelstein
National Policy Director, PHI

Next I would refer you to NADONA for key functions of Director’s of Nursing. From those competencies can be derived.

Finally - The Pioneer Network has embarked on very exciting work. They are working with AMDA (The American Medical Director’s Association) to create person-centered/ culturally transformed competencies for Medical Directors. I hope these resources are of some help. Please feel free to contact at The GREEN HOUSE(R) Project at NCB Capital Impact.