• Nursing care requires a regulatory framework.elderly women image by leafy from Fotolia.com
  
  Long-term care workers must abide by regulations put forth by the federal and state government and the employer. Long-term care in a skilled nursing facility, also known as a nursing home, relies on these rules to ensure quality care, safety and to avoid legal repercussions. When working in these facilities you may face termination of employment, revocation of your license and possibly civil and/or criminal charges if you fail to comply with regulations.
  
  

Observing Resident Rights

• The long-term care worker, regardless of the official job title, must respect the rights of the residents. One important aspect of these rights includes autonomy, or including the resident in decisions regarding care when possible. This applies to financial issues, medical treatments and decisions involving even simple things such as meals and bedtimes. The guardian or power of attorney assists in the decision-making process if and when the individual is incapable. Residents also have a right to privacy, respect and a safe environment free from any kind of abuse from all staff and other residents.
  
  

Training Requirements

• If your job requires providing direct care in the long-term setting, you must have approved training defined by that state of practice. These requirements differ by the position or role of the caregiver. The nurse, for example, needs more advanced training and qualifications than the nursing assistant. Credentials include a license, with few exceptions. On-the-job training for lower-level employees like the nursing assistant or orderly are possible, but certification within a specific time period after employment is mandated by state regulations.
  
  

Resident Assessments

• These long-term care worker regulations were developed by the federal government to promote the care provided by workers. The Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) implements evaluation of residents for care planning to better provide needs. Although developing a plan of care is primarily the duty of the nurse, many workers take part in the assessment process and implementation, which is the act of carrying out the desired plan. It is the responsibility of any worker in the long-term care setting to report changes in mental status or signs of deterioration of health or functioning to the appropriate person as defined by company policy, regardless of department or job title. All long-term care centers and employees must abide by RAI to meet reimbursement eligibility from Medicaid and Medicare.