Michigan Bureau of Community and Health Systems Issues New Dining Assistant Curriculum 

Michigan law MCL 333.21794 and federal regulation CFR 483.60(h)/F811 require providers to use a state-approved dining assistant training course. Providers must maintain records demonstrating compliance with the regulatory requirements and individual records for those who have successfully completed a facility’s training course and are currently working as dining assistants.

In July, the Michigan Bureau of Community and Health Systems issued a new dining assistant curriculum. The state reports that the revised curriculum is now only 36 pages, down from 64 pages. State regulators asks that providers keep the following in mind:

• A lockout related to a nurse aide training course does not impact the dining assistant training program.
• State and federal regulations require that paid dining assistants work under the supervision of a nurse.
• Dining assistants training is not required to be taught by a nurse. Training can be done by anyone a nursing facility thinks is qualified to do so. This includes dieticians and nutritionists.
• A nursing facility must keep records of the qualifications of the trainers. The state may request to see the records.