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Assisted Living Communities and the Latest CDC Guidelines: What You Need to Know
On March 21, 2024 by Kari Everson
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated respiratory virus recommendations for the public.
In-Facility Testing for Nurse Aide Candidates is Expanding this Summer
On June 15, 2023 by Anna Mowry
Coming later this summer, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that it is expanding in-facility nurse aide testing.
OnTrack Pass Rates Continue to Exceed the State Average
On April 20, 2023 by Anna Mowry
Statewide nurse aide test pass rates are rising, but OnTrack nursing assistant students continue to exceed these averages.
Nurse Aide Knowledge Test Pass Rates are on the Rise
On April 13, 2023 by Anna Mowry
New data shows that statewide nurse aide knowledge test pass rates have increased by over 8% in the first quarter of 2023. This means more nursing assistants have been successfully certified and placed on the registry.
Governor Walz Announces $2.5 Million Investment to Extend the NextGen Free Nursing Assistant Training Program
On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Last week, Governor Walz announced an additional $2.5 million in American Recovery Plan funding to continue the state’s Next Generation Nursing Assistant Training Program (NextGen) until Feb. 2023.
Two-Hour Time Limit for Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Begins Oct. 3
On September 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced that nurse aide registry candidates will have up to two hours for the knowledge exam beginning Oct. 3.
Two-Hour Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Time Limit Returns
On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will extend the time limit for the nursing assistant state knowledge exam from one hour back to two hours in response to feedback from nurse aide training programs around the state.
LeadingAge Minnesota Partners with MDH to Pilot In-Facility Nursing Assistant Testing in Member Settings
On August 18, 2022 by Anna Mowry
LeadingAge Minnesota members, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), are helping expand nursing assistant testing opportunities throughout Minnesota by piloting in-facility testing in their settings.
COVID-19 Testing: Resource Roundup and MDH Upcoming Changes
On June 30, 2022 by Kari Everson
Testing residents and staff for COVID-19 became a standard throughout the pandemic, and guidance frequently changed, which gives way to uncertainty on current guidance and recommendations for testing requirements, test interpretation, and test procurement.
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training Now Updated with Tips for Testing with Headmaster
On June 16, 2022 by Anna Mowry
In honor of CNA week, we are excited to announce that OnTrack recently released the most up-to-date nursing assistant training curriculum to align with new Headmaster state testing!
MDH Provides Further Clarification and Pathways for Staff Working Under Nurse Aide Waiver
On May 19, 2022 by Anna Mowry
On June 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will terminate the COVID-19 waiver that has allowed basic care aides and caregivers to serve seniors without being on the Nursing Assistant Registry.
Use OnTrack to Transition Caregivers to Registered Nursing Assistants
On April 28, 2022 by Anna Mowry
A critical COVID-19 waiver allowing Basic Care Aids to serve seniors through the pandemic is expiring; caregivers must be on the Nursing Assistant Registry by Oct. 6.
Stay Up to Date: Sign Up for Notifications for Nurse Aid Candidate Handbook
On April 21, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Periodically, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) may update the Nurse Aide Candidate Handbooks and Mock Skills to reflect the most current guidance.
Reviewing COVID-19 Testing Protocols in Assisted Living
On March 31, 2022 by Kari Everson
Testing continues to be an essential component of infection prevention and control in our settings. Questions about required testing continue because of the rapid guidance changes and the different required testing strategies between assisted living and nursing homes. New testing guidance for assisted living communities was updated on March 3.
CMS Updates Two Quality and Safety Oversight Memos
On March 17, 2022 by Kari Everson
On March 10, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated two quality and safety oversight memos to align more closely with the previously updated guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CMS and CDC National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call
On February 3, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a national stakeholder call on Feb. 2 to update its listeners regarding COVID-19, revisions to nursing home guidance, and best practices. The following is a summary for those who could not listen in on the call.
Abbott Extends Use of BinaxNOW Antigen Testing Cards
On January 20, 2022 by Kari Everson
Abbott labs petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week to extend the use life of their BinaxNOW antigen testing cards, and the FDA approved the change.
Health & Safety Requirement Updated for 2022 Institute; Still Time to Register
On January 20, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
The 2022 Institute & Expo is less than three weeks away, and we are looking forward to seeing so many of our members again after two years. There is still time to register your organization and staff for this multi-day conference which is in person at RiverCentre in St. Paul Feb. 9-11 and virtually Feb. 22-24. The registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 31.
Recent CDC Guidance on Healthcare Workers Who Test Positive for COVID-19
On January 13, 2022 by Kari Everson
In the recent CDC guidance revisions, there were notable changes in the return-to-work guidance for healthcare workers who test positive for COVID-19. The guidance is divided into three options depending on whether the organization is in conventional staffing, contingency staffing, or crisis staffing.
Reflexive COVID-19 Testing Opportunities for Congregate Settings
On October 28, 2021 by Roni Falck
The Midwest Coordination Center, in partnership with U.S. Health and Human Services Department is rolling out a free, federally funded COVID-19 reflexive testing program for congregate setting, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and adult day services.