7 Examples of Mandatory Compliance Training for Healthcare Providers

7 Examples of Mandatory Compliance Training for Healthcare Providers - HIPAAGuide.net

There are many different types of mandatory compliance training for healthcare providers depending on the nature of healthcare providers’ roles and federal or state regulations. Some mandatory compliance training requirements are one-off events, but most are – or should be – ongoing compliance programs.

HIPAA Compliance Training

All healthcare providers that work for a HIPAA covered entity or that provide services to a HIPAA covered entity as a business associate have to undergo mandatory compliance training for healthcare when they first start working for the HIPAA covered entity. In addition, they must also participate in an ongoing security and awareness training program based on the General Requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule.

Although the mandatory compliance training for healthcare is initially a one-off event, further HIPAA training must be provided when there is a material change to policies and procedures. HIPAA covered entities may also use HIPAA training as a sanction on healthcare providers for a minor violation of HIPAA , or provide HIPAA refresher training at least annually to ensure providers’ HIPAA knowledge is kept up to date.

CMS Emergency Planning

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid are required to develop and maintain an emergency preparedness plan to ensure adequate planning for both natural and man-made disasters, and coordination with federal, state, tribal, regional and local emergency preparedness systems. The emergency preparedness plan must be reviewed and updated at least every two years.

Part of the plan requires hospitals to provide mandatory compliance training for healthcare emergencies to all members of the workforce when they start working for the hospital, at least every two years thereafter, and whenever emergency policies and procedures are “significantly updated”. In addition, hospitals must conduct full-scale exercises, mock disaster drills, and tabletop exercises at least annually.

OSHA Safety Training

Multiple OSHA regulations have mandatory compliance training for healthcare professionals. These include regulations relating to respiratory hazards, ionizing radiation, and most sterilizing methods used in hospitals. As with all industries, mandatory compliance training for healthcare professionals also includes fire prevention training, how to use personal protective equipment, and hazard communication.

HIPAA
Compliance
Checklist

Simple Guidelines
Immediate PDF Download

Immediate Access

Privacy Policy

Download Free Checklist

The above OSHA compliance training is usually a one-off event unless there is a change in procedures, or new safety measures are introduced. However, bloodborne pathogen training (§1910.1030) must be provided at the start of a workforce member’s employment and at least annually thereafter. Additional training requirements exist for healthcare providers likely to be exposed to HIV pathogens or Hepatitis B viruses.

OSHA State Plans Training

Twenty-four states have adopted safety and health regulations that are more stringent than federal OSHA regulations, and some state plans affect the nature or frequency of compliance training. For example, Washington’s State Department of Labor & Industries requires all workforce members – rather than designated workforce members – to be trained on the use of portable fire extinguishers (WAC 296-800-30025).

In addition to more stringent general industry regulations, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has violence prevention in healthcare regulations (Title 8 §3342). The regulations require healthcare facilities to provide initial violence prevention training to all members of the workforce, and thereafter annual mandatory compliance training for healthcare providers performing “patient contact activities”.

State Anti-Harassment Training

Along the same lines, six states and the City of New York have introduced legislation to address sexual harassment in the workplace. In these jurisdictions, employers in all private organizations and public agencies are required to provide sexual harassment prevention training to all new employees. Other states have legislation that applies only to public agencies or only recommends  sexual harassment prevention training.

The frequency of repeated mandatory compliance training for healthcare providers about sexual harassment prevention training varies by state and, in some circumstances by role. For example, in Connecticut and Delaware, supervisors must receive twice as much training as employees in non-supervisory roles. A full list of states with links to regulations and other relevant sources has been compiled by projectwhen.org.

Professional & Licensing Training

All states have continuing medical education requirements (CMEs) for most qualified healthcare professionals. The nature of mandatory compliance training for healthcare professionals to renew their licenses varies by state and by medical specialty. The frequency of license renewal and the number of CMEs required also varies by state and medical specialty, but usually includes modules on infection control and identifying child abuse.

Some states also require healthcare administrators to be licensed and periodically renew their licenses. Licensing is most often required for nursing care facility administrators, who must take accredited mandatory compliance training for healthcare administrators in order to earn the Continuing Education Units (CEUs) required to renew their licenses. Other requirements may apply to other types of healthcare administrators.

Other Mandatory Compliance Training for Healthcare

Among other types of mandatory compliance training for healthcare providers, one of the most recent additions to the list is mandatory confidentiality training for healthcare professionals employed in the medical cannabis industry. Generally this requirement only applies to healthcare professionals who also qualify as a clinical registrant and any employees of the healthcare professional in their role as a clinical registrant.

Again, the nature and frequency of confidentiality training varies by state, and healthcare providers unsure about the mandatory training requirements in their state are advised to approach their state licensing agency. Healthcare providers unsure about the mandatory training requirements for HIPAA, CMS, OSHA, or state regulatory compliance are advised to speak with a healthcare compliance professional.

About Liam Johnson

Liam Johnson has produced articles about HIPAA for several years. He has extensive experience in healthcare privacy and security. With a deep understanding of the complex legal and regulatory landscape surrounding patient data protection, Liam has dedicated his career to helping organizations navigate the intricacies of HIPAA compliance. Liam focusses on the challenges faced by healthcare providers, insurance companies, and business associates in complying with HIPAA regulations. Liam has been published in leading healthcare publications, including The HIPAA Journal. Liam was appointed Editor-in-Chief of The HIPAA Guide in 2023. Contact Liam via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamhipaa/