Training Information

For more information about available trainings including the following:

• Direct Support Professional- DSP
• Behavioral Health Professional- BHP
• Mental Health Support Specialist- MHSS

And information about Mental Health related job classifications including:

• OQMHP
• RCS
• MHRT I

Go to the following website http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/bh/Training/Index.html

Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA Registry)

To get on the Maine Registry, you must be able to provide official documentation of formal CNA training that meets Maine's Rules and Regulations, whether for immediate placement on the Registry or completing the Bridge Testing Process. If you can't do this, you will need to successfully complete an approved 150-hr CNA course before you can be placed on the Registry.

Maine and federal laws do allow you to work as a CNA for up to 4 months in a long-term care facility while you are fulfilling the requirements for getting on the Registry.

The Registry lists those CNAs who, through training, competency testing, and clinical work experience, meet the federal and state requirements to work as Certified Nursing Assistants in Maine. Employers can only hire CNAs who are on Maine's CNA Registry, in good standing.

http://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/rules_files/rules.html

Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA)

The CRMA standardized curriculum is designed for unlicensed workers. Successful completion of this course satisfies Departmental training requirements for workers who wish to pass medications in certain assisted housing programs. The CRMA curriculum is a standard curriculum and replaces any programs previously approved by the Department. It is a regulation requirement for Level III and Level IV Residential Care Facilities, Level III and Level IV PNMIs and Assisted Living Facilities to have workers trained in Medication Administration to administer medications in these settings. This program involves a minimum of 40 classroom hours and a clinical component and can only be taught by trainers approved the Department of Health and Human Services (formerly known as DHS).

Personal Support Specialist (PSS)

The PSS is designed for unlicensed entry-level workers. Successful completion of this course satisfies Departmental training requirements for direct care workers for certain home care programs and residential care facilities. The PSS curriculum is a standard curriculum and replaces any programs previously approved for Personal Care Attendants (PCA's) and Residential Care Specialist I's (RCS I's) prior to September 1, 2003. Anyone with a PCA certificate may continue to work as a PCA after September 1, 2003, and is not required to take the PSS program. Anyone with an RCS I certificate may continue to work in residential care settings after September 1, 2003, without taking the PSS program. However, in order for a PCA to crossover to a residential care facility or for an RCS I to cross over to a home care program, they must successfully complete the PSS curriculum.

Level IV residential care facilities must have unlicensed personnel (other than C.N.A.'s) trained in a course approved by the Department when job responsibilities include direct service to residents for at least twenty (20) hours per week. Training must be completed within 120 days of hiring.

Certain Level IV facilities whose primary purpose is to care for persons with severe mental illness or mental retardation may be approved to have alternative training. If you have any questions regarding whether your facility has been approved for alternative training in coordination with the Department of Behavioral and Development Services, contact Peter.Mauro@maine.gov. This program involves a minimum of 50 hours of classroom time and can be taught only by trainers approved by the Department.