Posted by Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC (web site host) on November 18, 1999 at 11:08:43:
Getting started as a NA - the laws re:$$
I am reprinting an article that I sent to Shari's Message Board in answer to questions about paying for training as a NA.
How to pay for training. This is a question frequently asked by NAs. The surprise here is that the OBRA 87 legisllation never intended for NAs to pay for their own entry education.
Since each of the states words this differently, you will need to look in your own state laws, but there should be a provision that clarifies this.
In Ohio Administrative Code the wording is as follows: (3701-18-08,H)
"Before accepting money from individuals seeking to enroll in the program, each approved TCE program shall inform the prospective enrollee of the circumstances under which money paid by the prospective enrollee will be refunded.
No TCE Progam shall charge an individual who is employed by or who has recieved an offer of employment from a long termcare facilty on the date in which the individual begins the TCE Program, for participating in the program including any charge for textbooks, other required course materials or competency evalutation."
This means the Trainers must tell the NA about how to get refunds for any $ spent for training, and the facility must have a policy for doing this. This is not an extra cost item to the faciltiy - they get it back from Dept of HS or your Medicaide funding agency in the State. If the school is taking bonus money from NAs, this is not an appropriate use of these funds.
Other parts of the law state that a NA has 2 years to begin work or will need to take the course agan. So this rule applies only to the 2 years following successful completion of the class. Unfortunately, most interviewers are unaware of this law. However, the Trainer who teaches the Trainers in each state should be VERY familiar with the law and should be telling the trainers who will teach NAs of their rights and responsibilities in this area.
Hope this helps. I would be happy to work with Shari to review your state laws and advise if requested and if I can get a copy.
Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC
National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
[email protected]