Section 116.30  Master Nurse-Trainer and Nurse-Trainers

a)         The Department's master nurse-trainers are designated by the DD Clinical Director and shall meet the following criteria:

1)         Demonstration of competence to teach adult learners through:

A)        evidence of previous teaching or training experience; or

B)        completion of courses in teaching and instructing.

2)         Possession of two years of clinical registered professional nursing experience within the last five years, at least one of which shall have been in developmental disabilities.

b)         All registered professional nurses seeking approval to be nurse-trainers to provide medication administration training to non-licensed staff shall:

1)         Be licensed as a registered professional nurse or advanced practice nurse in Illinois.

2)         Possess two years of clinical registered professional nursing experience within the last five years, at least one of which shall preferably have been in developmental disabilities.

3)         Have successfully completed the DHS Nurse-Trainer Training Program.

c)         Requests for approval as a Nurse-Trainer shall be submitted, in writing, to the DD Clinical Director. The DD Clinical Director shall approve all requests that show substantial compliance with the requirements.  The decision to approve or deny requests shall be on file with the Department, which shall maintain a list of all approved Nurse-Trainers.

d)         The DD Clinical Director shall, upon request, grant conditional approval to a registered professional nurse who fulfills the requirements but has not completed the required nurse-trainer course of instruction. Conditional approval shall be granted for no more than 90 days following the date of conditional approval. The nurse given conditional approval shall not train or authorize non-licensed staff to administer medications, but may direct and monitor, as well as educate and train, previously authorized direct care staff on new medications or dosage changes as shall be required.