This regulation establishes annual personnel training standards for behavioral health stabilization providers in the District of Columbia. Staff must receive OSHA-compliant training on infection control and universal precautions, and at least two staff must be certified in first aid and CPR at all times. Providers must maintain a Department-approved written staff development and onboarding plan covering the program's philosophy, job roles, emergency preparedness, documentation, confidentiality laws, abuse reporting, and individual rights.
View official source8018 PERSONNEL TRAINING STANDARDS 8018.1 Behavioral health stabilization staff shall have annual training that meets the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”) regulations that govern behavioral health facilities and any other applicable infection control guidelines, including use of universal precaution and avoiding exposure to hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV. 8018.2 A behavioral health stabilization provider shall have at least two (2) staff persons trained and certified by a nationally recognized authority that meets OSHA guidelines for basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”) present at all times. 8018.3 A behavioral health stabilization provider shall have a current written plan for staff development and organizational onboarding, approved by the Department, which reflects the training and performance improvement needs of all employees working in that program. The plan should address the steps the provider will take to ensure the recruitment and retention of highly qualified employees and the reinforcement of staff development through training, supervision, the performance management process, and activities such as shadowing, mentoring, skill testing, and coaching. The plan shall include culturally competent training and onboarding activities in the following core areas: (a) The program’s approach to addressing behavioral health stabilization services, including philosophy, goals and methods; (b) The staff member’s specific job description and role in relationship to other staff; (c) The emergency preparedness plan and all safety-related policies and procedures; (d) The proper documentation of services in individuals’ records, as applicable; (e) Policies and procedures governing infection control, protection against exposure to communicable diseases, and the use of universal precautions; (f) Laws, regulations, and policies governing confidentiality of individual information and release of information, including HIPAA, the D.C. Mental Health Information Act, and 42 CFR Part 2 (as applicable); (g) Laws, regulations, and policies governing reporting abuse and neglect; (h) Individual rights; and (i) Other trainings as directed by the Department. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 1623 (February 5, 2021). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Mental Health 22-A DCMR § 8018