ISSUE BRIEF: Updated NY Training Requirements
A PHI issue brief explains New York State’s new guidelines for home health aide training programs operated by Licensed Home Care Services Agencies.
The issue brief is the third in the PHI Medicaid Redesign WATCH series, which provides ongoing analysis as New York State continues to restructure Medicaid-funded service delivery.
The updated guidelines “establish more stringent requirements for a number of aspects of home health aide training programs but they do not alter the content of the curriculum or the amount of training” required for certification, the issue brief states.
The new requirements include that:
- All training programs must be evaluated annually.
- The maximum trainee-to-nurse instructor ratio is 20 to 1. During the Supervised Practical Training component, the maximum ratio is 10 to 1.
- All trainees must be given a statement of their rights.
- Personal care aides may be upgraded to home health aide with an additional 35 hours of training — 19 hours of classroom and 16 hours of supervised practical training.
The New York State Department of Health developed the new guidelines, using input from a Home Health Aide Training Workgroup that met throughout 2011. Representatives from PHI participated in the workgroup.
Additionally, the PHI issue brief highlights continuing challenges to building the skilled, stable workforce that will be required as New York’s health care system emphasizes home and community-based services over institutional care.
— by Matthew Ozga
