Chapter B4 – Article 10. Training Programs, Facilities, and Training Staff

Sec. B4.10.010. Certification.

The Board shall issue a BHA Training Center certificate to a training center which:

1. applies on a form provided by the Board; and
2. adopts and adheres to requirements of sections B4.10.020 [facilities] through B4.10.060 [BHA/P training center self-evaluation].

Sec. B4.10.020. Facilities.

A BHA training center facility must provide classroom, or e-classroom and clinical environments that are conducive to a positive learning experience for faculty and behavioral health aide trainees by ensuring that:

1. Traditional classrooms have appropriate space and privacy. Specific consideration and evaluation in the areas of safety, adequacy of space, air quality, lighting, heating, and storage must be documented; and
2. e-classrooms have appropriate policies on Internet safety and privacy, appropriate language, emergency procedures for Internet outages, and recommendations on lighting, noise, and an ergonomic environment.

Sec. B4.10.030. Training Staff.

1. Qualification and Roles. Behavioral health aide and practitioner training may be coordinated and conducted by any person who generally meets the standards of this section.
   1. Director/Instructor of Record. The BHA training center Director/Instructor of Record
      1. must be a licensed behavioral health clinician or behavioral health professional who will assume responsibilities for course development, evaluation and revision, and the evaluation of students and instructors.
      2. should be an individual with a combination of education, research, work, and/or life experience which are relevant to providing leadership in a BHA training center program, including an orientation to Alaska Native culture and traditions and be familiar with the CHA Program.
      3. may or may not participate directly in the training but must be familiar with and have approved the curriculum being taught and the qualifications of the training staff, and be available to consult with training staff during the training session should the need arise. Such consultation may occur telephonically or in person.
      4. should have a background in health and education and be able to administrate, serve in a statewide liaison role, uphold the mission of the statewide program, and provide program direction, development, and leadership.
   2. BHA training center instructors must consist of a majority of behavioral health professionals or licensed behavioral health clinicians. All instructors will be monitored to assure compliance with the BHA Curriculum and competence in subject being taught. Instructors teaching BHA curriculum via eLearning must demonstrate competency in e-teaching by experience, completed coursework, or other approved measures. All instructors should be certified, licensed, or have other training in the knowledge and skills that they are teaching, including knowledge of Alaska Native traditions and culture.

Sec. B4.10.040. BHA/P Training Administration and Records.

1. Educational Program Philosophy. A BHA training program must have on file a mission statement that reflects the statewide nature of the program, and the goals and objectives, which must include quality healthcare, competency based instruction, emphasis on clinical instruction and skills, awareness of cultural influences, emphasis on a positive learning environment, and respect for the unique needs of the adult learner.
2. Job Descriptions. Job descriptions must be on file for each member of the training staff which reflect the roles and responsibilities outlined in Sec. B4.10.030(a) [Qualifications and Roles].
3. Orientation of New Staff. A training program must have in place a written orientation procedure for new employees which will minimally include the BHA mission, goals, and objectives; the BHA Curriculum; the methods of instruction, and function of the statewide program; cultural diversity; the role of the BHA; and the BHA certification process.
4. Commitment of Administration. A training program must document on-going support of staffing positions and program needs and accept and retain records regarding training and continuing education.
5. Secretarial Support. A training program should have administrative and secretarial support sufficient to assure timely and smooth functioning of the program and transmittal of records to the Certification Board, as required.
6. Training Program Files. A training program must have on file for review: training outlines, learning objectives, lesson plans, session quizzes and exams, behavioral health aide or practitioner evaluation records, application forms, student training files, quality assurance/continuous quality improvement files and a training plan for employees.
7. Continuing Education. A training center must have a policy on continuing education requirements for the Director and Instructors. A plan should be developed annually to meet the policy goals.

Sec. B4.10.050. Trainee Services.

1. Counseling and Health Services. A system must be in place to refer trainees to confidential counseling by a behavioral health professional or licensed behavioral health clinician which may include having such persons available during course training. A system to provide acute care and emergency health services must also be provided.
2. Academic Advising. A training center must provide a system for trainee academic advising pertinent to the role and certification of the BHA.
3. A system of recording trainee attrition data including the causes and timing of attrition during training must be in place.
4. Housing, Meals, and Transportation. Housing, meals and transportation should be available, affordable, and conveniently located to the face-to-face training site.
5. Internet Connectivity. A workstation with Internet connectivity must be accessible as an alternate to an eLearning student’s own Internet service.

Sec. B4.10.060. BHA Training Center Self-Evaluation.

1. BHA Training Center. A behavioral health aide or practitioner training program must have a policy on quality assurance (QA)/continuous quality improvement (CQI). This policy must include:
   1. BHA evaluations of training sessions and individual instructors; and
   2. documentation of meetings for staff evaluation of training sessions and quarterly program reviews.
2. QA/CQI. The QA/CQI process must be in effect, documenting that evaluation tools are in use, trends are identified, and the continuous quality improvement process is being implemented to address and modify those identified trends.