Newly hired staff at PSL Services receive rigorous training during their first few weeks of employment, regardless of any previous training they may have had elsewhere (with a few exceptions).
CORE TRAINING includes the following:
• Introduction: Covers information that new staff should know before they begin working. Included is a review of upcoming training and the time commitment involved;
• Creating Safe
Space: A required course, approved by the State of Maine as an alternative to Mandt or NAPPI training. CSS covers why people do things, trauma, and how to engage safely and respectfully with people in crisis. (two-day training / 16 hours);
• Orientation: Required of all incoming staff, this class covers everything from health and safety to how PSL does planning and documentation; (two-day training / 16 hours);
• Heartsaver: CPR / First Aid course taught by PSL Services; certificate good for two years; An equivalent course, such as the Red Cross training, is acceptable providing the new staff person has a valid certificate that has not expired. Required for both DSP and MHRT Certification; (one-day training / 8 hours);
• Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA):
This course is required of any staff person who will be passing medications. Staff hired to work in Mental Health programs must take this course as one of their requirements for MHRT certification; (five day course / 40 hours)
• Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS):
This course is another requirement of MHRT certification – which must be completed within one year from date beginning work in any mental health program; course provides an overview of mental illness, medications, trauma, plans, documentation, universal precautions, rights and other areas);
(five day course / 40 hours)
• Direct Support Professional (DSP):
Required by anyone working in the State of Maine with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; course provides an overview of developmental disabilities, rights, abuse/ neglect / and exploitation, medications, trauma, plans, documentation, universal precautions, and other areas); (five day course / 40 hours)
• Monthly Modules: A review of DSP training chapters, as well as certain PSL policies and and other pertinent trainings that arise; generally held during team meetings; (30 minutes – 1 Hour)
• Quarterly Trainings:
An opportunity to catch up with trainings missed over the past quarter; Also, CSS recertification trainings are held on a quarterly basis; (4 Hours)
• Seminars and Workshops:
These are special trainings of interest offered throughout the year and staff are encouraged to sign up whenever possible.
For more information: Contact Leslie LaFrance Phone: 207-879-0847 | 
