Arizona CNA Article 9 Training Requirements

Article 9 of Arizona Administrative Code Title 9, Chapter 10, Article 9 concerns the management of nursing care institutions. This topic includes nursing homes, long-term care residential and rehabilitation facilities. Certified nursing assistants receive training concerning these laws because they administer care and follow care plans described in these requirements. Article 9 states that one nurse may be responsible for up to 64 residents. CNAs work with clinical management to provide personal care.

Definitions

• Article 9 defines everything from "abuse" to "work" as these terms relate to caring for residents within the nursing home facility. Many terms define medical conditions and others clearly define the business aspects of running and managing a nursing home. The law refers to the "administrator" in most sections. Certified nursing assistants provide the hands-on care to carry out the plan and provide directions for the residential patient's daily and personal needs.

Administrative Responsibility for Contract Services

• Nursing home administrators must maintain accessible records.

  Responsibility for contracting services at the nursing home, including those provided by CNAs, includes record-keeping by the administrator. In periods of workforce shortfalls, the administrator may contract with personnel services that provide nursing assistant services for a period of weeks or months. The administrator must keep the contract on file for each organization with whom the nursing home contracts.

  The administrator must provide CNAs with written job descriptions and duties. In-service education sessions must be provided according to law.

CNA Requirements

• CNAs must prove immunity to tuberculosis.

  Each employee must provide a written job application. CNAs must provide proof of an active license by their first day of work. The employer must provide training for CNAs employed at the nursing home. Staff members must receive instruction about residents' rights, proper hand washing, linen handling, infection control and specific occupational health risk management. Staff members must also know about the organization's disaster plans.

  New staff must provide proof of immunity to infectious pulmonary tuberculosis and other diseases as required. Documented negative prong-type skin test or other tuberculosis testing recommended by the Centers for Disease Control must be provided on or before the starting date of hire or volunteerism. For each 12 months after the testing date or medically documented statement, staff and volunteers must resubmit to tuberculosis testing.

Client Rights

• CNAs must know about the rights of clients. They must strictly follow the care plan on file for each resident. Patients must receive consideration, privacy, confidentiality and respect. They must be treated with dignity. Patients must receive appropriate assistance with basic personal care. Needs of daily life must be provided by the organization and staff.

  Patients must be allowed visits with individuals from outside the facility and opportunities to socialize with other patients. Reasons for the use of restraints must be noted in patient records. Patient safety must remain the institution's top priority. Signs of patient abuse must be reported. Incident reports involving staff or patients must be promptly reported.

  Residents must receive an individual care plan. They must not be coerced, harassed or discriminated against by staff or administrators.