Homecare Agency Administrative staff will assure adequate supervision of staff. Supervision involves the direction, observation, and evaluation of the performance of new and experienced staff members. This may be accomplished through documented individual and group conferences dealing with job-related issues, observation, and evaluation of work performance, and telephone contacts to review job assignments

 

Qualified personnel observe and evaluate each direct service/care staff performing their job duties at frequencies required by state or federal regulations. Industry principles and professional standards also used to determine appropriate staffing and care. If no regulation exists the evaluation must be performed at least once annually to assess that quality service/care are being provided. This activity may be performed as part of a supervisory visit. Written policies and procedures must define assessment items/standards. The evaluation(s) shall become part of the personnel record.

 

New employees are defined as either new to the organization or new to the program or service/care provided. Supervision of new employees will include closer monitoring and more frequent supervision of performance than those with experience

 

1)                  Each employee job description lists the job title of the person responsible for supervision of the position. The supervisor listed is responsible for the direction, observation, and evaluation of the performance of new and experienced staff members.

 

2)                  The supervisor will documented individual and group conferences dealing with job-related issues, observation, and evaluation of work performance, and telephone contacts to review job assignments utilizing the orientation checklist, competency assessment tools, antidotal notes, performance evaluations and joint visit notes.

 

3)                  Experienced staff members will be assessed at least annually, including competency assessment. New employees will assessed at the time of hire or assignment to the new job assignment, within 90 days and at least annually thereafter.   The supervisor may enlist the assistance of peer member to new employees in this function. 

 

4)                  Supervision is always available either in person or via telephone/pager. Employees providing service after hours or on-call will be indirectly supervised by the administrative staff on-call or assigned to the time period. Issues arising during these hours will be dealt with immediately and shared with the staff members’ assigned supervisor during the next business day. During normal office hours, staff is to contact their immediate supervisor for assistance or another administrative person in the supervisor’s absence.

 

5)                  Competency assessments of home health aides must be conducted by a qualified Registered Nurse.

 

6)                  All staff will be educated during orientation and as needed on who and how to contact a supervisor during normal office hours and after hours. 

 

7)                  The Homecare Agency Administrator, Director of Nursing and Human Resource staff will supply support and on-the-job training to supervisors on the skills needed to provide adequate supervision. The Homecare Agency encourages supervisors to attend outside programs to enhance supervisory skills.

 

8)                  The following elements are present for each individual who supervises direct service/care staff, whether the supervisor is employed directly or through contract:

(a) evidence of verification of education and training requirements in           accordance with applicable law or regulation and the organization’s policy;    

(b) evidence that he or she has clinical and supervisory knowledge and experience appropriate to his or her assigned supervision responsibilities;         

(c) evidence of ongoing in-services and training pertinent to their roles.

 

9)                  When a supervisor does not have appropriate clinical training and experience for a clinical specialty the organization provides access to qualified consultation from outside the Homecare Agency or from peer support.

 

10)              Supervisory visits as part of a specific patient’s care will be addressed as follows:

a)      Home Health Aides: no less frequent than every 14 days

b)      LPN/LVN: minimum of every 30 days

c)      PTA: minimum of every 30 days

d)      COTA: minimum of every 30 days

e)      STA: minimum of every 30 days

 

 

12)       Written annual performance evaluations are completed for all personnel based on specific job descriptions.