Minn. Stat. §256B.0625, subd. 19c, Minn. Stat. §256B.0659, subd. 13, subd. 14 and subd. 25

DHS is in the process of replacing PCA with Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). The entity responsible for performing QP functions in CFSS varies. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – Comparison of QP services and CFSS services.

For information about the transition, refer to CFSS Manual – Transition from PCA and CSG to CFSS.

Qualified professional (QP): Person who provides training, supervision and evaluation of an agency's PCA workers and the services they deliver. A QP performs the following duties:

For more information about services provided by a QP, see PCA Manual – QP services.

A QP must be one of the following:

If an agency is unsure about whether a potential QP meets the definition of a qualified designated coordinator, the agency can call the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Provider Resource Center for assistance.

A QP also must meet the following requirements:

Newly hired QPs must complete the required PCA QP training and test within six months of hire. The PCA QP training is an online course that describes PCA policies and the QP’s responsibilities. This on-demand training is available free of charge. All QPs must take the online training to meet the QP training requirement, unless they meet one of the exclusions listed below.

For information about how to register for the training and test, see PCA Manual – Provider agency training requirements.

Exclusions

A newly hired QP does not need to complete the QP training and test if one of the following is true:

Certificate lookup

If a QP cannot locate their test certificate for the online training, they can search for it using the certificate lookup feature located at the bottom of DHS – PCA and CFSS Training and Test.

If the QP cannot locate their Steps for Success training certificate, the agency can list the date the QP attended the training on its enrollment documentation. DHS will verify the QP’s attendance.

The QP may only deliver and bill for services within their professional scope of practice.

The QP must be a registered nurse when:

The PCA provider agency is responsible to verify, document and ensure the QPs who work for the agency continue to meet QP requirements.