Home Health Aide Supervision Visits ONLY

Traveler · Apr 29, 2005

Where I used to work we did a lot of VA HHA's and had to do RN supervisory visits. We also had some Tenncare patients that were HHA only and we did supervisory only every 14 days. Where I work now we have several patients who are monthly RN and have HHA's (foley changes, b12, etc.) so bi-weekly they get NCSV. I'm not sure what you want to know about this. They are quick visits just to see if there have been any changes, how the HHA is doing, if there is a skill, etc. I don't think it is required, but I take vitals during these visits but I know some nurses that don't.

Ann

Jolly · Apr 30, 2005

Hi Ann,

Thanks for your response. I'll try to clarify my original post.

I recently interviewed at a facility that provides home health aide services only - the RN's role in this facility is to first, assess the need for HHA services, and then, once the HHA is in the household, the RN supervises the care given by that HHA. If I'm not mistaken, this facility accepts Medicaid only. The RNs do not perform skilled nursing - if the RN assesses that the individual is in need of a nursing skill, a phone call is made to that individual's MD, and a facility that provides skilled nursing is brought into that individual's home.

As you can probably already tell, the paperwork is minimal; it seems like a good opportunity for someone who is employed full-time and needs to supplement their income - as is my case. Any thoughts?

Laurie

renerian, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2005

Been there done that. Hardest thing is catching the clients, driving alot, social problems of the clients, lots of phone time with outside case managers.

renerian

Jolly · May 1, 2005

lots of phone time with outside case managers.
renerian

Can you please clarify 'outside case managers' - do you mean other services that may be in the household such as skilled nursing, PT?

renerian, BSN, RN · May 1, 2005

Jolly I am sorry I was not more clear. I meant different pay source case managers such as Medicaid Waiver programs. Here in Ohio we have several programs of that nature where the unskilled nurse supervisor does the supervisory vists, plans of care or whatever but the Case Manager per se', is housed and paid for at the organization that coordinates the care, gives the referral to an agency to staff, etc.

Does that make more sense?

The big thing/problem I had and I have seen countless others have is companies who do this type of work may want to put you on a "salary" rather than pay you hourly..so..with that type of pay I have seen nurses end up with over 100 patients to work with and their hours go through the roof but hey the employee is salary so you end working lots of hours over 40 for no pay.

I don't know if other home care supervisors have seen this but I have alot. Anyone else care to comment?

renerian

Jolly · May 1, 2005

renerian,

I'm not educated on the Medicaid system, since I've never had to deal with it in any of my roles as a nurse. I understand, however, there are many regulations, and that recently, at least here in New Jersey, changes occurred in January that resulted in more regs and more cutbacks - which, I am sure, has created more work on behalf of the nurse.

As far as how one is paid, the position I interviewed for is per diem and pays per-visit - there is a $10 difference between an admission and a repeat visit.

Laurie

renerian, BSN, RN · May 9, 2005

Medicaid cutbacks. Jolly just be sure to read the regulations for the pay source your supervising. Many times they have quirky stuff.

renerian