2012 Delaware Code
Title 16 - Health and Safety
CHAPTER 30A. TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR NURSING ASSISTANTS AND CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS
§ 3004A. Mandatory orientation period.

(a) All nursing assistants hired to work in a skilled care or intermediate care facility, after completing 150 hours of instruction under this chapter, shall undergo a minimum 80 hours of orientation at least 40 of which shall be clinical. Nursing assistants hired to work in an assisted living facility, after completing 150 hours of instruction under this chapter, shall undergo a minimum 64 hours of orientation, at least 24 of which shall be clinical. While undergoing orientation, nursing assistants shall have direct physical contact with residents only while under the visual observation of a certified nursing assistant or licensed nurse employed by the facility. Any nursing assistant undergoing orientation may be considered a facility employee for purposes of satisfying the minimum facility staffing requirements set by the Department. A nursing assistant who has undergone 150 hours of training in a training program sponsored by the facility where the assistant will be employed immediately thereafter shall be required to complete additional facility specific orientation of 40 hours in a skilled nursing facility or 32 hours in an assisted living facility. The guidelines for nursing assistant orientation shall be promulgated by the Department.

(b) All certified nursing assistants hired to work in a skilled care or intermediate care facility shall undergo a minimum 80 hours of orientation, at least 40 of which shall be clinical. Certified nursing assistants hired to work in an assisted living facility shall undergo a minimum 64 hours of orientation at least 24 of which shall be clinical. Any certified nursing assistant undergoing orientation may be considered a facility employee for purposes of satisfying the minimum facility staffing requirements set by this chapter and the Department. The guidelines for certified nursing assistant orientation shall be promulgated by the Department.

(c) All certified nursing assistants employed by temporary agencies and placed in a facility in which they have not worked within the previous 6 months shall undergo a minimum of 2 hours of orientation prior to beginning their first shift at that facility, the guidelines for which shall be promulgated by the Department. Any certified nursing assistant employed by a temporary agency and undergoing orientation shall not be considered a facility employee for purposes of satisfying the minimum facility staffing requirements set by the Department.

72 Del. Laws, c. 168, § 1.;