Mental Health Specialty Training
Live Webinar Series
September 10 & 11 | 9 - 11 am and 1 - 3 pm
September 10 & 11 | 9 - 11 am and 1 - 3 pm
Course Description
Assisted living providers are required to comply with Chapter 388-112A WAC related to staff training and development. As part of these requirements, administrators or their designee(s) who want to train caregivers in the specialty topic of mental health must complete specialized training in order to qualify as a facility-based trainer. These intensive training sessions prepare administrators or their designated trainers to successfully pass the mandated competency test required in the specialty topic of mental health. Training and testing are done over two days.
This class can also be taken by caregivers, even if they have no plans to teach the course. The final session includes a test; the attendees must be on camera to complete the exam.
The Mental Health Specialty Training course is being offered virtually and require participants to engage in each session to complete the course. Participants will need a quiet place without interruption as they will be required to engage in each session via video and audio to ensure participation in discussion and small group activities that are part of the course.
The Mental Health Specialty Training course is being offered virtually and require participants to engage in each session to complete the course. Participants will need a quiet place without interruption as they will be required to engage in each session via video and audio to ensure participation in discussion and small group activities that are part of the course.
Learning Objectives
- 8 Credit Hours
- The attendee will:
- review definitions, common signs and symptoms and identify types of mental disorders.
- recognize that culture; generation, religion/spirituality and past trauma experiences can affect current thinking, behaviors and actions and will identify strategies to provide informed care and support resilience.
- identify possible medication side effects, ways to respond to side effects and recognize individualized non-drug therapies to minimize or alleviate symptoms of mental illness.
- recognize the importance of caregiver wellness and identify strategies to prevent secondary trauma and burnout.
- identify suicide facts, recognize warning signs and communicate about suicide.
- demonstrate an ability to recognize communication styles and ways to communicate effectively.
- demonstrate an understanding of creating healthy professional boundaries.
- demonstrate a sequence of steps to approach challenging behaviors.
- identify potential stressors to prevent crisis and demonstrate steps for de-escalation.
- demonstrate an understanding of navigating challenging situations.
Vicki McNealley, PhD, MN, RN
Vicki is the Director of Assisted Living for the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA). Vicki is directly responsible for supporting WHCA member assisted living providers through regulatory clarification, nurse consultation, facility system evaluation, advocacy, and education. Vicki is responsible for developing and implementing WHCA programs to support providers in these areas. As staff liaison for the Assisted Living Quality and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Vicki works with members to promote quality care and services at every level. She has extensive experience as a teacher, consultant and provider and has been involved in assisted living operations and policy work since 1999. Vicki has served as a national award reviewer for the American Health Care Association and worked closely with the American Assisted Living Nurses Association to develop its certification exam. Vicki is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in community health nursing and a doctorate degree in nutrition.