Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 32 - Rehabilitation And Disabilities › Part 1 - Office of Special Disability Programs Policy Manual › PROCEDURE MANUAL › Section 32-1-15.2 - INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT/CERTIFICATION AS A PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT (PCA)

Current through June 25, 2024
1. Must be at least
				18 years of age.
2. Must be a high
				school graduate, have a GED, or demonstrate the ability to read and write
				adequately to complete any required forms and reports of visits.
3. Must be able to follow verbal and written
				instructions.
4. Must have the
				ability to communicate effectively.
5. Must have no known physical/mental
				limitations that prevent lifting, transferring or providing any other
				assistance to the client.
6. If the
				individual reports any physical/mental limitations, appropriate documentation
				must be received from the individual's physician indicating they are able to
				perform the duties of a Personal Care Attendant.
7. All Personal Care Attendant providers must
				have completed training/ instruction that covers the purpose, functions, and
				tasks associated with the Personal Care Attendant program.
8. The Personal Care Attendant must also
				complete a supervised practical training period and be certified as competent
				by IL Counselor and Registered Nurse to perform each task of assistance with
				activities of daily living for the client for whom the services will be
				performed. No prescribed time limit is set for the practical
				training.
9. The PCA must
				demonstrate the ability to comprehend and comply with basic verbal and written
				instructions at a level determined by the IL Counselor and Registered Nurse to
				be adequate in fulfilling the responsibilities of the attendant.
10. An individual that has satisfactorily
				completed a nurse aide training program for a hospital, nursing facility, or
				home health agency or was continuously employed for twelve months as a nurse
				aide, orderly, nursing assistant or an equivalent position, shall be deemed to
				meet the classroom training requirements. The individual must provide the
				appropriate documentation to the IL Counselor, which shall be filed in the
				client case file.
11. An individual
				that has satisfactorily provided attendant care services for four (4) weeks
				prior to coverage under the waiver program, with such service certified by the
				IL Counselor and Registered Nurse, shall be deemed to meet the training and
				competency requirements. The client's case file must contain the appropriate
				documentation.
12. A PCA may be
				certified by the Counselor and the Registered Nurse at the time of the initial
				assessment. However, the PCA cannot begin providing services to the client
				until the client has been given a certification date, and MDRS has received a
				Notice of Determination from the Division of Medicaid. If another funding
				source will be paying for the services, such as TBI/SCI Trust fund, the PCA can
				begin providing services.
13.
				Background checks will be performed on all PCA applicants. The background check
				will be processed through MS Bureau of Investigation and must be clear of any
				felony convictions or certain misdemeanors. A PCA cannot begin employment until
				the entire application has been processed by the state office.
14. Complete the Application for Employment
				with Ability Works of Jackson and the PCA must provide all employment
				verification documentation prior to their initial date of providing services to
				the client.
(See Resource Guide for instructions on how to certify a
				  PCA)