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Becoming a Staff-Development Leader in California

Every skilled nursing facility needs a nurse to lead its orientation and in-service education, and the core skills are the same across the country. We help you build them — with professional, certificate-bearing online courses available to nurses and care staff in all 50 states. In California the role is called Director of Staff Development; elsewhere it’s a Staff Development Coordinator, In-Service Coordinator or Nurse Educator.

Choose your state to see the role — and how we can help

Showing California — we’ll remember it for you.

California

In California, the nurse who leads staff education and training is commonly known as a Director of Staff Development. It’s a valued, higher-responsibility role — and we can help you prepare for it and grow your long-term-care career.

California offers its own Director of Staff Development certification — and this course prepares you for it

Our 24-hour course is built for exactly this: sourced to Title 22, self-paced, and finished with a verifiable certificate you can take straight to your CDPH Form 279 application.

Enroll for $79 See the full California path

Available in all 50 states Certificate of completion 100% online & self-paced

How the role works in California (official details)

Commonly called

Director of Staff Development (DSD)

Keeping skills current

24 hours/year of in-service for nurse assistants under 22 CCR §71847(e) — double the federal 12-hour floor.

Stepping into the role

A DSD qualifies under 22 CCR §71829(d) via one of two pathways (a year of LTC nursing plus a year running nursing education, or two years of nursing plus 24 hours of education). Teaching the CNA program also requires ≥ 2 years' experience under Health & Safety Code §1337.15.

Where to check the official rules

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — Training Program Review Unit

General information to help you plan — not legal advice. Requirements can change, so confirm the specifics with your state’s licensing agency.
Sources: 22 CCR § 71829 · Health & Safety Code § 1337.4.

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Part of Draco Learning

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