Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. POLICY ON SELECTION OF HOME HEALTH AIDES/CNA Home health aides are selected on the basis of such factors as a sympathetic attitude toward the care of the sick, ability to read, write, and carry out directions, and maturity and ability to deal effectively with the demands of the job. They are closely supervised to ensure their competence in providing care. All services are provided in accordance with the recognized occupational certification, state/federal regulations and the Agency’s policies/procedures. It is the policy of MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. that Home Health Aides/CNA recruited and selected by us must meet the following criteria. They must: * Understand and carry out instructions. * Record Messages. * Keep simple records * Maintain emotional and mental maturity. * Be interested and have a sympathetic attitude toward caring for the sick at home. Must be complete at least forty hours (40) of training (75 hour home health training, required by care of medicare beneficiary, a minimum of 16 hours of classroom training must precede a minimum of 16 hours of supervised practical training as part of the 75 hours.) in: communication skills (including the ability to read, write, and verbally report clinical information to patients, representatives, and caregivers, as well as to other HHA staff), observation, reporting, and documentation of patient status and the care provided (including recognizing and reporting changes in skin condition, including pressure ulcers), reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration, basic infection control procedures, basic elements of body functions, that must be reported to the registered nurse supervisor, maintenance of a clean, safe, and healthy environment, recognizing emergencies and the knowledge of Agency’s emergency procedures and their application, physical, emotional, and developmental needs of and ways to work with the populations served by the agency including the need for respect for the patient, his or her privacy, and his or her property, appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming task, including bed bath, sponge, tub, and shower bath, tub or bed, hair shampooing in sink, tub, and bed , nail and skin care, oral hygiene, toileting and elimination. Safe transfers techniques and ambulation, normal range of motion and positioning, adequate nutrition and fluid intake, recognizing and reporting changes in skin condition, including pressure ulcers, the role of the aide in the home, differences in families, food and household management, and any other task that the HHA may choose to have an aide perform as permitted under state law. Home Health Aides/CNA assisting with self-administered medication, must receive a minimum of 2 hours of training (which can be part of the 75 hours home health training, required by care of Medicare beneficiary), prior to assuming this responsibility. Training must cover state law and rule requirements with respect to the assistance with self-administration of medications in the home, procedures for assisting the resident/patient with self-administration of medication, common medications, recognition of side effects and adverse reactions and procedures to follow when residents/patients appear to be experiencing side effects and adverse reactions. Training must be performed by or under the general supervision of a registered nurse. The HIV and AIDS educational requirements also must meet, a minimum of 2 hours of initial lifetime training. The training should include universal precautions and infection control procedures to ensure proper practices are followed. Training must be provided to obtain and maintain a certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Each home health aide must be able to read the prescription label and any instructions. Individuals who cannot read must not be permitted to assist with prescription medications. Ensure HIPAA guidelines and procedures are maintained. Competency evaluation. 1) An individual may furnish home health services on behalf of an HHA only after that individual has successfully completed a competency evaluation program. A home health aide training program must address each of the following subject areas: (i) Communication skills, including the ability to read, write, and verbally report clinical information to patients, representatives, and caregivers, as well as to other HHA staff. (ii) Observation, reporting, and documentation of patient status and the care or service furnished. (iii) Reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration. (iv) Basic infection prevention and control procedures. (v) Basic elements of body functioning and changes in body function that must be reported to an aide’s supervisor. Home Health Agency Job Descriptions I-24