DADS released an information letter and a provider letter:
Most providers, including ADC, AL, CMPAS, DBMD, Hospice, NF, and TxHmL:
DADS alerted these providers to increased incident rates of the West Nile virus in Texas, its symptoms, and how to avoid it. (Letter)
ICF/IID:
DADS attached the answers to frequently asked questions from providers and stakeholders. An excerpt:
Criminal History Checks
Q: I conduct searches and review the criminal history reports of all job applicants. How can I determine whether an offense on a criminal history report prohibits employment?
A: Chapter 250, Texas Health and Safety Code, is the state statute that requires certain longterm care facilities and agencies to conduct criminal history checks on job applicants and employees. Section 250.006 of the statute outlines the offenses, a conviction for which, prohibit employment.
Determining whether an offense prohibits employment essentially involves matching convictions on the criminal history report with the offenses and the conditions listed in Section 250.006.
Not infrequently, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal history reports may not contain court disposition information that shows whether an individual was convicted of a particular offense. If you retrieve a DPS criminal history report that appears to have incomplete information, you should call the DPS Crime Records Service Error Resolution Unit at (512) 424-7252 and request their assistance in obtaining the information that is not in the criminal history report. [Ref: PL 06-48]
An sampling of recent news alerts:
— DADS will hold CLASS provider training for CMAs and DSAs to provide basic job skills information for CLASS. The training will be held on September 5 -6, 2012, all day from 8-5 p.m. at the John H. Winters Building, 701 W. 51st Street, in Austin. See the news alert page for topics and other details
— DADS invited Region 6 HCSSA providers to a meeting on September 14, 2012, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in Houston at the United Way of Greater Houston, Auditorium, 50 Waugh Drive. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. Please register here.
— The Texas Board of Nursing will hold a training workshop for LVNs and RNs on November 2, 2012, from 8:30-12 p.m. in Austin. “The LVN Scope of Practice: What Every LVN, RN, and Employer Should Know” (PDF brochure) will be held at the University of Texas, J. J. Pickle Research Campus, the Commons, Room 1.122, 10100 Burnet Road, Bldg. 137.
See the news page for more information about these and other alerts.
