Caregiver Requirements for Assisted Living in Minnesota

By Janelle Meyers, CSA, LALD

Working as an assisted living director, one of the most difficult tasks was finding the right people to provide care for the residents.  The applicant pool included people with many years of experience and those without any.  Minnesota does not require caregiving staff to be certified nursing assistants to work in assisted living. Yes, some have the training and are certified nursing assistants or trained medications aides, and most are not.

There are guidelines and requirements for caregivers.  These emphasize training, competency testing, background checks and ongoing education.  Here is what you need to know.

Background Checks and Safety Screening

Safety is a foundation in the long-term care settings.  Under Minnesota law, all employees, contractors and regular volunteers in an assisted living facility must undergo background studies and criminal background checks. These checks are to protect vulnerable adults.  The background data is private.  Background checks are complete before a caregiver provides any unsupervised direct care within the facility.

Training and Competency Requirements

Training and competency testing are at the core of caregiving requirements in assisted living.  Each facility will choose how to train staff.  Some facilities use online courses while others choose live in-person training. Minnesota law requires that all staff providing assisted living services have training and are competent to deliver services appropriate to resident needs and promote the Assisted Living Bill of Rights.  Furthermore, caregivers must understand not just basic tasks, but also how to respect resident dignity and independence.  All unlicensed personnel must complete:

• Training – covering all care tasks they perform
• Demonstrate competency- through written/ oral and practical skill demonstration

Essential Training Topics Include and are not limited to:

• Infection control and hygiene- handwashing, proper sanitation practices
• Safe assistance techniques- transferring a resident from one location to another
• Personal care skills-bathing, grooming, and assistance with toileting
• Documentation and reporting changes in resident conditions- written and oral communication
• Fall prevention and reaction- monitoring those people at risk and what to do when a fall occurs
• Eight hours of dementia training- types of dementia, communication techniques, wander/behavioral management, resident engagement in meaningful activities

Caregivers are required to complete at least eight hours of training for each year of employment.  For care staff that administer medication there is additional training beyond the essentials.  A registered nurse is responsible for ensuring that each caregiver demonstrates the skills needed to provide direct care.  Effective July 1, 2025, Minnesota added a training requirement for mental illness and de-escalation training.

Caregiving is Heart Work

In every assisted living and memory care facility you will find caregivers that put their heart into the work they do.  It’s a difficult job physically and emotionally.  Spending over twenty-five years alongside these folks was a great privilege. They are not perfect, they are human.  Hiring people who have a heart and desire to work with seniors is ideal.  Skills can be taught.

Good Caregiving is Critical for Good Care

Making an informed decision for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming.   If you’d like assistance in evaluating options we are here to help.  To learn more consider joining Choice Connections in one of the upcoming seminars.  Visit the Resources and Events tab for information on registering or call us at 651-261-5379 for details.