Wisconsin Feeding Assistant Training Requirements

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Wisconsin’s feeding assistant training programs must require enrolled individuals to successfully complete an approved training program, which includes the following federally-mandated topics, covered during a minimum of eight (8) hours of instruction:

• Feeding techniques
• Assistance with feeding and hydration
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Appropriate responses to resident behavior
• Safety and emergency procedures, including the Heimlich maneuver
• Infection control
• Resident rights
• Recognizing changes in residents that are inconsistent with the norm and the importance of reporting changes to the nurse.

The feeding assistant training program must also provide instruction on the following topics:

• Wisconsin’s Caregiver Program, including:

  • background check requirements
  • the need to promptly report any misconduct allegations
  • the definitions of abuse or neglect of a client or misappropriation of a client’s property

  • Rehabilitation Review requirements.

• The resident population who will be served by the feeding assistant in a facility-based program. The facility-based training program curriculum must include training specific to the identified population type(s). This training must include, but is not limited to,
  • Characteristics of the population, such as the population members' physical, social and mental health needs, and specific medications or treatments needed by the residents,
  • Program services needed by the residents,
  • Meeting the needs of persons with a dual diagnosis (co-occurrence of mental health disorders and alcohol and/or drug dependence or abuse), and maintaining or increasing his or her social participation;

  • Self direction, self care and vocational abilities.

• Instruction of feeding assistants who have been trained by another facility’s training program, for their specific selected population.

• The program determines the number of extra hours required for the training topics listed above. However, the training must be in addition to the minimum eight (8) hours required for the federally mandated topics.

• Programs may choose to add increased training requirements.

• Training programs must stress that the only direct, hands-on duty a feeding assistant is permitted to perform is assisting residents to eat or drink who have no complicated feeding problems.

Last Revised: March 30, 2011