When does OBRA require retraining and/or a new competency evaluation for nursing assistants?

The requirement for retraining and/or a new competency evaluation for nursing assistants as outlined by OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) is indeed triggered if a nursing assistant has not worked for a period of 24 months. This is to ensure that nursing assistants maintain their skills and are up-to-date with the knowledge necessary to provide safe and effective care. If a nursing assistant is out of practice for two years, there is a recognition that their skills may become outdated or that they may have lost their competency, thus necessitating retraining and evaluation to safeguard patient care.

The other circumstances mentioned, such as changes in job location, annual retraining, or performance complaints, do not specifically align with the regulations set forth by OBRA for mandatory retraining or evaluation. These scenarios may warrant other actions or assessments, but they are not the definitive triggers that OBRA specifies for retraining after a lapse in active work as a nursing assistant.