ARSD 67:54:06:08. Qualifications of personal attendant

A personal attendant must have completed a basic nurse aide or home health aide training course, as evidenced by a certificate of completion signed by the director of the training program, provided the trainee also received training in disability awareness and in the philosophy of consumer direction; a personal attendant training program supervised by a registered nurse at an approved agency, as evidenced by a certificate of completion signed by the director of the training program; or a personal attendant competency assessment as evidenced by a certificate of competency signed by a licensed nurse, a physician, or the consumer. The provider agency must maintain a copy of the signed certificate in the personal attendant's personnel file. If the personal attendant is certified through a personal attendant competency assessment and provides services for more than one individual, there must be a separate certification for each individual served. In addition, the personal attendant must meet the following qualifications: (1) Must be employed by a provider agency that has a contract with the Department of Human Services to provide assistive daily living services; (2) Must produce proof of having a social security number; (3) Must be able to read, write, and communicate; (4) During the last three years, may not have on record a conviction for an offense that would directly affect the individual's fitness to be a personal attendant. For purposes of this subdivision, the provider agency must develop and use a system for screening each applicant and for including the consumer in the screening process; (5) May not have an infectious or contagious disease or condition which results in a medical condition that is prolonged or potentially life-threatening; (6) Must be capable of performing the needed services; (7) Must be capable of maintaining confidentiality; and (8) Must have demonstrated competency to perform the duties contained in § 67:54:06:09. A consumer's spouse, parent, or adult child may receive reimbursement for providing personal attendant services if the requirements of this chapter are met.