Assembly Bill (AB) 2609, which becomes operative January 1, 2008, added Section 1569.69 to the Health and Safety (H&S) Code.  It requires direct care staff in RCFEs, excluding licensed medical professionals, to meet specified medication training requirements in order to assist residents with the self-administration of medication.

The CCLD Senior Care Policy Unit has been receiving numerous questions about the requirements of AB 2609.  An Information Release that addresses these questions is being developed.  In the interim, the following information is intended to address some of the broader issues that have been raised.

 CCLD Administrator Certification Section (ACS) and AB 2609

Currently, some training providers are offering courses on “AB 2609 Medication Training,” stating that these courses are approved by CCLD’s Administrator Certification Section (ACS).

The ACS approval of courses is limited only to approval for purposes of Administrator Certification requirements.  The ACS may only approve vendors that provide initial and continuing education courses for the purpose of providing classroom hours of training for individuals seeking to obtain initial certification as administrators or to meet ongoing continuing education requirements as set forth in H&S Code section 1569.616.

 ACS has no authority to approve any courses or components of the AB 2609 training requirements.  ACS may approve courses within the subject area of medication training for initial or continuing education units, however, the approval criteria is not the same.  It is the responsibility of each licensee to ensure that the training in H&S Code section 1569.69 is provided to staff as specified.

 AB 2609 General Reminders 

•    The medication training material and exam for all RCFEs must be developed by, or in consultation with, a licensed nurse, pharmacist or physician.

 •    The medication training components include the hands-on shadowing training, training or instruction in the nine topics specified in statute, and passing an examination that tests the employee’s comprehension of, and competency in, the subjects specified in H&S Code section 1569.69(a)(4).

 •    The hands-on shadowing component of the training must be provided at the facility by a licensed nurse, pharmacist or physician or by a trainer who meets the education and experience requirements in H&S Code section 1569.69(e) and must be completed prior to staff assisting residents with the self-administration of medication.

•    The training on the nine topics, including passing an examination on these topics, must be completed within the first two weeks of employment if the employee’s duties include assistance with the self-administration of medication.

 •   If an employee goes to work for another licensee in an RCFE and will be assisting residents with the self-administration of medication, then the medication training must be completed again.  Certain exceptions may apply.

 •    Employee medication training requirements must be repeated if an employee of an RCFE has a break of service of more than 180 consecutive calendar days and then returns to work for the same licensee and will be assisting residents with the self- administration of medication.

 As of January 1, 2008, these medication training requirements must be met by all staff assisting residents with the self-administration of medication.  For more information on AB 2609, please go to http://www.ccld.ca.gov/res/pdf/06apx20.pdf.