Direct Support Professionals Orientation

Partnership for People with Disabilities

DBHDS Advanced Competencies Training Topics

9.25.17

Training Requirement for Individuals with Most Intensive Needs:

Providers shall ensure that **DSPs and DSPs supervisors** supporting individuals identified as having the **most intensive needs**, as determined by assignment to **Level 5, 6, or 7** (as referenced in 12VAC30-122-200) shall receive training which is **nationally recognized or developed or approved by qualified professional(s)** in the areas of **health, behavioral needs, and/or autism** as defined by DBHDS and based on the identified needs of the individuals supported.

Training may be accessed through a variety of means as long as it is nationally recognized or developed or approved by a qualified professional in each competency area.

Qualified Professionals for Training Approval

Health professionals include:

  • a physician,
  • nurse practitioner,
  • psychiatric nurse practitioner, or
  • registered nurse (RN).

Autism professionals include:

  • a psychiatrist;
  • a psychologist;
  • psychiatric nurse practitioner;
  • a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC);
  • a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW);
  • a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist;
  • a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS),
  • a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA), or
  • a board-certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCABA).

Behavioral professionals include:

  • a psychiatrist;
  • a psychologist;
  • psychiatric nurse practitioner;
  • a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC);
  • a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW);
  • a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist;
  • Positive Behavioral Support Facilitator (PBSF),
  • a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA), or
  • a board-certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCABA).

Required Advanced Training Topics

The following topics must be included in training provided to DSPs and their supervisors when supporting individuals at levels **5, 6, and 7**:

Health:
  • Confidentiality;
  • Professional collaboration;
  • Communicating health information;
  • Documenting health information;
  • Relationship between physical and mental health;
  • Common risk factors for DD-related health conditions;
  • Universal precaution procedures;
  • Performing delegated tasks;
  • Supporting Virginia's identified risks for people with DD including:
    • skin care (pressure sores; skin breakdown),
    • aspiration pneumonia,
    • falls,
    • urinary tract infections,
    • dehydration,
    • constipation & bowel obstruction,
    • sepsis, and
    • seizures;
  • Providing direct care to individuals with complex health care needs (e.g. ADL's, positioning, care of Durable Medical Equipment, and specialized supervision with appropriate responses to health parameters set by the health professional.
Behavior:
  • Ethical Practices (practicing within scope);
  • Function and Purpose of Behavior;
  • Replacement Behavior Training;
  • Positive Behavior Supports;
  • Behavioral Prevention;
  • Dual Diagnosis;
  • Data Collection (goal and purpose);
  • Ruling out medical concerns for behavior.
Autism:
  • General Characteristics of Autism;
  • Dual Diagnosis;
  • Environmental Modifications/Assessments;
  • Communication Supports and Strategies;
  • Social skills, Peer Interactions, and Friendship;
  • Sensory Integration;
  • Life Span Supports.