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Iowa Health Care Association | Iowa Center for Assisted Living | Iowa Center for Home Care

Upcoming education: Dementia Care Conference, LPN-IV Course, HHVBP and Survey Review and more

Check out IHCA’s upcoming education events listed below. Click here to view the instructions on how to register for an IHCA education event.


MDS 3.0 Update Virtual Training | July 27

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) changes coming in October 2023 are the most significant updates since the implementation of MDS 3.0. Participants will learn what new data collected in the MDS will be used for and explore the potential impact SNF 5-star ratings and Quality Measures. The presenter will explore best practices and strategies to collect, capture and code the additional items CMS will require from providers.

Course objective include:

  • Identify changes included in MDS 3.0 version 1.18.11.
  • Discuss strategies to utilize to capture data for new MDS items.
  • Describe the potential impact MDS changes can have on skilled nursing facility (SNF) 5-Star ratings and Quality Measures.

The “live virtual” training will be recorded. After the live training, registered participants will receive a link to the on-demand recording with access available until Nov. 30, 2023. This course is approved for 4.0 CEUs for nurses, administrators and social services staff. Click here to register.


Dementia Care Conference | Aug. 1

Most health care professionals serving in a nursing home, assisted living or home care setting serve people living with dementia to one degree or another, but few are aware of the latest dementia research and how to leverage it for optimal results for quality care.

This comprehensive in-person workshop helps participants move their skills to a new level by taking a deep dive into the two areas that make the biggest difference: great interpersonal technique and an understanding of the factors that drive cognitive decline. When we communicate better and help those we are serving function better, we can often prevent negative behavioral expressions, reduce antipsychotic usage, boost physical capacity and improve quality of life.

Participants will learn:

  • The vital five pillars of effective dementia care
  • New advances in our understanding of Alzheimer’s and dementia
  • Non-pharmacological techniques to influence behavior
  • New techniques on how to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidality and other mental health challenges
  • How to make bathing, dressing, toileting and medication assistance a more positive experience
  • How to create effective physical environments

This conference is approved for 6.0 CEUs for CNAs, activity professionals, social services staff, physical therapists, nurses, department heads, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers. Click here to register.


LPN-IV Course | Beginning Aug. 1

IHCA’s Intravenous (IV) Therapy for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), sponsored by PICC STAT and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing, is designed to prepare LPNs to perform procedures related to the expanded scope of intravenous (IV) therapy in a licensed hospital or licensed skilled nursing facility (SNF) as identified in 655 IAC 6.5(3). Major emphasis is placed on the specialized skills needed to provide IV therapy related to the expanded scope of the LPN for clients who are age 12 or older and weighing 80 pounds or more.

The 30-hour online portion of the course is available on-demand and contains nine online modules and nine quizzes. A 12-hour simulation lab will be completed at the IHCA Education Center on two separate days, with an online test taken on-site the last day. Upon successful completion of the theory and simulation lab, students will have 60 days to satisfactory complete the clinical portion of the course in their respective facilities with their registered nurse (RN) preceptor. Students may request a one-time 30-day extension from the course administrator if they will not complete their clinical portion within 60 days.

This course is approved for 43.0 CEUs for LPNs. Click here to register.


Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) and Survey Review | Aug. 2

In 2023 the HHVBP program will result in agencies being judged on performance items. The first payment adjustment year (when agencies will be paid based on 2023 performance =/- 5% max adjustment) is 2025. This means that agencies that perform above average in 2023 will share in the savings of up to a 5% maximum and those who perform below average will lose reimbursement up to 5% compared to comparable agencies that they compete with. Come learn how to gain the traction needed for your agency to succeed in the HHVBP program.

Annette Lee will provide participants with a first-hand account of Iowa’s home health survey process. Discussion will focus on the best practices for instituting proactive strategies to meet and exceed state standards to assure continuous compliance and high standards of care. You will also learn about your appeal rights and the process for appealing deficiencies cited by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA).

This course is approved for 5.0 CEUs for nurses, social services staff and administrators. Click here to register.


Activity Professionals Qualification Course | Beginning Aug. 2

The Activity Professionals Qualification Course has been approved by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Students that successfully complete the course and pass the final exam will be certified as an activity professional and will be able to work in Iowa nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. Course topics include the role of an activity professional, effective and efficient management of an activity program, understanding residents and their diagnosis, creating a person-centered activity program, state and federal requirements and safety in the workplace.

This continuing education activity meets the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Health Facilities Division’s established criteria for 75.0 CEUs for activity professionals. Click here to register.


Assisted Living Regulatory Class | Aug. 3

The purpose of this class, sponsored by HealthCARE of Iowa and NuCara, is to provide nurses with the Iowa assisted living laws, rules and regulations. The focus of the education will be a review of the assisted living regulations and survey process, the role of the nurse and health care assistant in assisted living settings and medication management. The class will prepare nurses to develop services and procedures that reflect assisted living values and comply with Iowa certification rules. Discussion of emerging issues will assure that your services comply with regulatory intent.

This class meets Iowa Assisted Living Regulation: 481-69.29(6): All Iowa assisted living facilities must have a minimum of one delegating nurse complete an assisted living nursing class with a curriculum that includes at least six hours of training specifically related to Iowa rules and laws on assisted living.

This course is approved for 7.0 CEUs for nurses, administrators and assisted living managers. Click here to register.


LTC Social Services Virtual Conference | Aug. 9-10

IHCA’s Long-Term Care (LTC) Social Services Conference includes three hours of ethics training. The live conference will be divided into two three-hour sessions on Aug. 9 and 10. This conference will be offered live or with on-demand access. Ethics training topics include ethical principles in elder care, trauma informed care guide for social services and surveying social service requirements.

This course is approved for 6.0 CEUs for social services staff and administrators. Click here to register.


Single Facility Conference | Aug. 17

This conference, sponsored by BCG Research, NuCara Pharmacy and Williams and Company P.C., will highlight six different topics specific for long-term care (LTC) licensed nursing facility administrators, including:

  • State of the sector
  • Sector sustainability
  • Current long-term care insurance environment
  • Succession planning
  • Services to provide new revenue streams
  • Cost efficiency – Cost savings for long-term care

This course is approved for 4.5 CEUs for nursing facility administrators. Click here to register.


MDS 3.0 Update Class | Aug. 29

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) changes coming in October 2023 are the most significant updates since the implementation of MDS 3.0. These MDS data changes will impact Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, quality measures, 5-star ratings and skilled nursing facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) compliance.

Attendees will learn what new data collected in the MDS will be used for and explore the potential impact SNF 5-star ratings and Quality Measures. The presenter will explore best practices and strategies to collect, capture and code the additional items CMS will require from providers.

Course objectives:

  • Identify changes included in MDS 3.0 version 1.18.11.
  • Discuss strategies to utilize to capture data for new MDS items.
  • Describe the potential impact MDS changes can have on SNF 5-Star ratings and Quality Measures.

This course is approved for 5.0 CEUs for nurses, administrators and social services staff. Click here to register.


CMA On-Demand Course | Available now

IHCA’s new Certified Medication Aide (CMA) Course, approved by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) and sponsored by Consonus Pharmacy and Trio Pharmacy Services, is now available on IHCA’s new on-demand learning platform. This course consists of 30 hours of online instruction, followed by 30 hours of clinical experience.

The purpose of this course is to certify nurse aides and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to safely administer non-parenteral medications in nursing facilities and related areas. The emphasis is on the safe handling and administration of medications to residents.

This 60-hour course is for nurse aides/certified nursing assistants (CNAs) working in a nursing, residential or related type of facility licensed by DIA. Click here to register.


CNA In-Service Training Series | Available now

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and direct care workers who work in long-term care facilities are required to complete at least 12 hours of in-service training per year. Help out your directors of nursing and nurse leaders by giving them a high-quality CNA training program they can use to educate your facility’s direct care workers. IHCA’s CNA In-Service Training Series provides 12 one-hour on-demand education sessions created specifically for your direct care staff. Each module can be accessed for your facility’s monthly in-service class for multiple people, or an individual can watch a module on their own. Once purchased, your facility can access any of the modules as many times as needed through Dec. 31, 2024.

Each module comes with an accompanying handout and a certificate of completion that the participant’s supervisor will complete for the employees’ in-service training records. No CEUs are available with this training program. Click here to register.


IHCA 2023 Education Calendar

Click here to view IHCA’s in-person and on-demand training programs available in 2023.