Attendants
Role of the Attendant
The attendant is a person who provides personal care or support for the waiver person. The attendant is the person hired by the Employer of Record (EOR) who provides CD personal assistance, respiteShort-term care for a child or adult that allows the primary caregiver relief. services, or companionA waiver-paid service focused on presence of a caregiver for safety, but less on hands on caregiving. services to the person. The attendant provides services that are authorized by DMAS or its designated service authorization agent. The attendant should have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the functions and duties necessary to support the person who is receiving services.
Becoming an Attendant
The attendant must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have the skills to perform services as specified in the person’s service plan
- Have basic math, reading, and writing skills
- Have a valid Social Security number and be authorized to work in the United States
- Submit to a criminal history background records check through the Virginia State Police, and, if the person being served is a minor, the Virginia Dept. of Social Services (VDSS) Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry
- Demonstrate the capability to perform health maintenance activities required and that are in the service plan, or be willing to receive training in performing the activities
- Not be a spouse of the person receiving services or a parent or step parent of a minor child receiving the services
- Not be the person’s Services Facilitator or Case Manager or Support Coordinator
- Not be the person designated as the EOR who is directing the care of the person receiving services
- Protect the person’s health, safety and welfare by providing authorized services in accordance with the policies and standards of the applicable Medicaid waivers.
- Maintain all confidential information regarding the person and respect their privacy.
- Understand that the attendant is employed by the EOR, not the Fiscal Agent, the Services Facilitator, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) nor the MCO.
- Understand that the property of the person receiving services, including the telephone, is not to be used by the attendant for personal use unless mutually agreed upon by both parties prior to use of the property.
- Be punctual, neatly dressed, and respectful of all family members. All instructions regarding care must be carried out carefully.
Find a caregiver job here.
DMAS Memos/Bulletins Concerning Attendants
- June 24, 2024 – DMAS Memo -Pay Increase (effective July 1, 2024)
- Northern Virginia (NOVA) – $17.62/hour
- Rest of State (ROS) – $13.61/hour
- October 25, 2022 – DMAS Memo – Pay Increase (effective January 1st, 2024)
- Northern Virginia (NOVA) – $17.27/hour
- Rest of State (ROS) – $13.34/hour
- Fall 2023 – Pay Increase
- Northern Virginia (NOVA) – $16.45/hour
- Rest of State (ROS) – $12.70/hour
- October 6, 2021: DMAS Memo – Pay increase (effective July 1st, 2021)
- Northern Virginia (NOVA) – $15.30/hour
- Rest of State (ROS) – $11.81/hour
- June 1st, 2020: DMAS Memo – Pay increase (effective July 1st, 2020)
- Northern VA: $12.78/hour
- Rest of State: $9.87/hour
- June 1st, 2016: DMAS Memo – No overtime pay (effective June 30th, 2016)
Finding Attendants
My Choice 4 Care: Available for Consumer-DirectedServices where the person using them is allowed to select, hire, fire, and train their particular caregiver(s). attendants. This allows you to search for attendants, as well as look for work as an attendant.
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