Florida policy and procedure manual template

Set up for Florida

• The administrator is at least 21, has a high school diploma or GED, passes Level 2 screening, completes core training and the competency test within 90 days and 12 hours of continuing education every two years; the Agency is told of a new administrator within 10 daysFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.010 (1) · s. 429.52 (4), (5), F.S.
• Unlicensed staff help with self-administration only on the resident's documented request and written informed consent, within the tasks the statute lists, and record each assist; only self-administering residents keep pill organizerss. 429.256, F.S. · Fla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.008
• A comprehensive emergency management plan on AHCA Form 3180-5006, submitted to the county emergency management agency within 30 days after licensure and reviewed and submitted every year; staff trained on it, new staff within 30 daysFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.019 · s. 429.41 (1) (b), F.S.
• The emergency plan provides for residents who must be evacuated, with sheltering arrangements, transportation and transfer of recordsFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.019 (1) (c)

Also required in Florida

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• Minimum staff hours per week by residents: 168 for 0 to 5, 212 for 6 to 15, 253 for 16 to 25, 294 for 26 to 35, 335 for 36 to 45, 375 for 46 to 55, 416 for 56 to 65, 457 for 66 to 75, 498 for 76 to 85, 539 for 86 to 95, plus 42 for every 20 over 95Fla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.010 (3) (a)
• Always present when residents are: a staff member with access to records and one with current first aid and CPR; with 17 or more residents, one staff member awake at all hours; a working AED in facilities licensed for 17 or more bedsFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.010 (3) (a) 3. to 5. · s. 429.255 (3), F.S.
• 2 hours of preservice orientation before working with residents; in-service training on infection control before personal care and on incidents, emergencies, rights, abuse, resident needs, food handling and elopement within 30 days; 6 hours from a nurse or pharmacist before helping with medications, then 2 hours a years. 429.52 (1), (6), F.S. · Fla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.011
• New staff give a health care provider's statement (exam within the prior 6 months) of no communicable disease within 30 days of hire; a negative tuberculosis examination is documented every yearFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.010 (2)
• A medical examination within 60 days before or 30 days after admission; no resident who is bedridden or needs 24-hour nursing supervision except under hospice; an elopement risk assessment within 30 days of admissions. 429.26, F.S. · Fla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007 (7) (a)
• A written contract at admission states the services, rates, 30 days' written notice of rate increases and the refund policy; contracts are kept 5 years after they end; refunds are paid within 45 days after transfer, discharge or deaths. 429.24, F.S.
• Written house rules in the admission package cover resident responsibilities, alcohol and tobacco, medication storage, elopement, abuse reporting, schedules, infection control, third party providers, assistive devices and physical restraintsFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007 (5) (d)
• Scheduled activities at least 6 days a week for at least 12 hours a week, planned with residents, with an activities calendar posted in common areasFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007 (2)
• Written elopement response procedures (immediate search, named staff duties, who calls law enforcement and family, care of other residents), daily ID checks and photos of at-risk residents, and at least two documented elopement drills a year with every administrator and direct care staff members. 429.41 (1) (k), F.S. · Fla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007 (7)
• A written grievance procedure and a written way for residents to recommend changes to policies, used whenever a complaint is receiveds. 429.28 (1) (l), F.S. · Fla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007 (5) (b)
• Post the Resident Bill of Rights in full view, and post the ombudsman, Disability Rights Florida, Agency Consumer Hotline and Florida Abuse Hotline numbers near a resident telephone in at least 14-point typeFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.007 (5) (a), (c) · s. 429.28 (2), F.S.
• Written policies on advance directives and DNROs; a DNRO is never a condition of admission; advance directive information and DH Form 1896 are given at admission and the record shows whether one was executedFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.009 (1)
• Adverse incidents, including an elopement that puts the resident at risk, are reported to the Agency through its portal: a preliminary report within 1 business day and a full report within 15 days; abuse, neglect or exploitation goes to the Department of Children and Familiess. 429.23 (2) to (4), (6), F.S.
• At least 45 days' written notice of relocation or termination of residency, with the reasons and the ombudsman program's toll-free number, except for a physician-certified emergency or harmful conducts. 429.28 (1) (k), F.S.
• Report an evacuation to the county emergency management agency and to the Agency within 6 hours of the evacuation order, and know where every resident is until relocatedFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.019 (4)
• An alternate power source kept at the facility able to hold temperatures at or below 81 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 96 hours, in at least 20 net square feet per residentFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.025 (1)
• Records readily available at the facility; the license displayed; an admission and discharge log; resident records kept 2 years after a resident leaves and contracts 5 yearsFla. Admin. Code R. 59A-36.015
• Deficiencies are corrected within 30 calendar days after notice of the inspection results unless the Agency sets another timeframe; a plan of correction, when required, is filed within 10 calendar days; inspection reports are kept 3 years and shown on requests. 408.811 (4) to (6), F.S.

What is in it

• About this manual
• Administration and responsibility
• Staffing
• Screening and staff training
• Admission and continued residency
• Resident contracts, refunds and house rules
• Supervision, activities and health care
• Resident elopement
• Medications
• Infection control
• Resident bill of rights and grievances
• Advance directives and DNROs
• Adverse incidents and abuse reporting
• Relocation, discharge and refunds
• Emergency management and power
• Records
• Inspections and plans of correction

Rules last reviewed November 5, 2026. Read the full Florida policy and procedure manual requirements.