Planning for BCA to NAR Transitions

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

If your organization has utilized Basic Care Aides (BCAs) during the public health emergency, please complete this two-question survey to identify the next steps for BCAs in your organization. The results of this survey will help determine the tools needed to help organizations upskill BCAs as required.

LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation's OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training Program, powered by EduCare, is currently designing this process, and your input is essential as we move forward in this work.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released a notice via GovDelivery indicating a transition pathway for Basic Care Aides (BCA) to become Nursing Assistants through an expedited process before the end of the 1135 Waiver. In this process, MDH will allow facilities to credit training received while working in a long-term care facility under the waiver towards the required 75-hours of training. This concept is only available for the duration of the waiver, and the opportunity will expire when the waiver expires. 

Although initial documentation for this pathway has been released, process details are yet to be determined. The Minnesota State Nursing Assistant Training Programs have asked that provider members hold on registering staff members for training and testing if choosing to utilize this expedited pathway until the colleges and Universities have had an opportunity to determine internal processes. Full 75-hour programs are still available through Minnesota State at this time.

We encourage all members to transition BCAs to Nursing Assistants before the end of the 1135 waiver to prevent bottlenecks in the system. Please reach out to Jenna Kellerman, Director of Workforce Solutions, if you’d like assistance in this process.