Changes to 18VAC95-30-180.  Preceptors 

The preceptor must attend annual training related to the ALF AIT program after the application for new preceptors has been approved or prior to the renewal date of the preceptor’s license. Training will be administered by the board or by an approved trainer.

The preceptor shall not allow the trainee to assume Administrator’s duties or responsibilities without the present of the preceptor only if the trainee has not been approved as an Acting Administrator.

The preceptor shall enter into an ALF AIT contract agreement with the trainee. The preceptor and the trainee must agree to the starting and ending dates of the ALF AIT program. The contact agreement must be signed by the preceptor and the trainee. The contract agreement form will be prescribed by the board.

18VAC95-30-190. Reporting requirements. 

The trainee shall submit an evaluation of the preceptor within 10 days following the completion of the ALF AIT program or if the program is interrupted because the registered preceptor is unable to serve.  The evaluation form will be prescribed by the board.

In accordance with Virginia law, the petition was filed with the Register of Regulations and posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov.  Comment will be requested from interested parties until September 10, 2013.  The petition and copies of all comment will be considered by the Board of Long-Term Care Administrators at its meeting scheduled for September 24, 2013.  After considering the request and reviewing the comments, the Board will decision whether to initiate rulemaking or deny petition and retain the current requirements.

 On Tuesday, September 24, 2013, the Board considered the petition and decided to retain the current requirements for the time being.  While the Board agreed that annual training for preceptors may be desirable, it does not have the personnel or resources to develop and conduct such training.  It will continue to monitor the availability of training from other providers that could be included in the future as part of continuing education requirements for administrators.  Current regulations require the preceptor to be "routinely present” in the same facility, and the Board does hold preceptors accountable for the services provided to residents in a training program.  Finally, the Board does not prescribe a contract agreement but will begin including a space for the signature of the preceptor on the ALF-AIT application to help ensure that person understands his/her responsibilities for training. The Board has requested that more information be obtained about training and preceptorships to be referred a committee for further consideration.