Home Health in Arlington area

caliotter3 · Mar 6, 2007

I would suggest trying Maxim Healthcare if they have an office nearby. They are good about hiring LVNs. You have experience so that shouod be no prob. Be certain to explain to the recruiter that you have no hh exp and would like as much orientation as you need. Ask to be given some cases to look at, shadow a nurse for the shift that you would be considered for, even if you do it on your own time (just watching and asking ?s, no hands on care). They normally will pay you for 2 or more hours of formal orientation on a case. Ask for a copy of the 485 and a copy of the current med sheets before you go out on a case so you can look up meds, dx, and come up with any ?s you may have. They might even let you work with another nurse for a short period of time for you to get used to it. You can get oriented to the paperwork by the supvr in the office. Maxim has usually been good about orientations with me in the past. I think they are a good agency to start with b/c they are receptive to people who are new to hh. Remember you can find a lot of tips about hh or other things on this site. Good luck.

lvnmommyto2greatboys · Mar 6, 2007

Hi thanks for your post. Do you work for Maxim now?? Do you know if they send you all over the metroplex or try to keep you close to your desired location?

caliotter3 · Mar 6, 2007

I just resigned from Maxim b/c I am relocating. They will present open shifts/open cases to you to fill the needs of the clients. It is up to you to let them know what your preferences are. The more you work with them, the more they will be willing to work with you. Most of my co-workers never had much problems getting shifts to fit their needs for work. I don't live in your area, but one time considered moving there. If I were to do so, the first place I would look for work is with Maxim. They are not perfect (for all I know the people in your nearest office are ogres!) but they usually bend over backwards trying.

lvnmommyto2greatboys · Mar 6, 2007

where are you relocating to? did you work ft or pt...how many clients did you average in a day?

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2007

I work for Maxim in Ft Worth. I don't do the HH stuff (just staffing) but Ill answer any questions if I can...

lvnmommyto2greatboys · Mar 6, 2007

I think I used to chat with you back about year and half ago....you were going to Tarlton or something like that and I was considering going back to bridge...what are you up to now?

What do you do at Maxim? I'm looking for PT HH with some company but don't know what to expect as far as responsiblities, client load and so forth??

caliotter3 · Mar 6, 2007

Going to SoCal. Worked FT and PT and for multiple employers at different times. Have had from 1-3 clients at same time. Depended on whether I was regularly scheduled or just filling in for sick/vacations. I usually will only work one or two cases per day. I do continuous care (or shift work). Prefer this over intermittent work where you see several clients in one day. I have worked as much as 118 hrs in one week (my record). At one time I was averaging 92-96 hrs per week. Those were the days when I was able to meet all my financial obligations to myself and my family. Most people work a regular job (like in a hosp or clinic) and then do a shift here or there in hh. It can be difficult to stay 100% employed in hh unless you are signed up with more than one agency. I liked Maxim b/c in the beginning I was able to work lots of hrs and I really enjoyed my clients and their families.

lvnmommyto2greatboys · Mar 6, 2007

Oh my gosh..that's alot of hrs..I'm not looking to work near that. I am looking for something to help supplement my family's income and need to work on the days my husband is home so we don't have to get daycare...he's a nurse at a hospital and has a really flexible schedule too.

I don't even know the difference between cont. care or intermittent care?? What is the difference and is one better than the other....I've only heard of people seeing several patients in a day and so forth.

caliotter3 · Mar 6, 2007

Continuous care or shift work is usually at least one 8 hr shift per day. The payor will authorize X number of hrs of nrsg care (or CNA or other interdisciplinary care) per week in a 60 day certification period. That is how the agency staffs the case. Some clients are authoriized 24/7 care (like a little baby that is on a ventilator). So you are scheduled for, say the day shift for x number of shifts per week on a regular basis.

Intermittent care however is limited. For example a diabetic is discharged from the hosp and is auth 3 visits per week (usually 1 hr visits) for wound care until healed. Perhaps the case will close after 7 wks of visits. So then you are assigned another short term client. Several short term visit clients make up your workload.

As you can see, if you are going to do hh full time, it is easier to schedule yourself and your income around a long term case. More stability for you and the client and the agency. Hope this info helps.

lvnmommyto2greatboys · Mar 7, 2007

Anybody else out there currently employed at a HH agency in the Fort Worth/ Arlington area?? Looking for advice or suggestions....

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2007

well yes i remember talking with you. i have applied to the new fast track program at tcc because i failed algebra and they would not let me start the nursing program at tarleton state. i had a baby 2 weeks ago so i have not been working but when i did it was for maxim. i worked about 2 days a week at the local nursing home , no big deal. i really like it. i can work when i want and not have any responsibility to the facility except doing my job and going home....maybe you should try odyssey hospice i know they are looking for prn lvn's for 12 hour private duty cases. let me know if i can help....

i think i used to chat with you back about year and half ago....you were going to tarlton or something like that and i was considering going back to bridge...what are you up to now?
what do you do at maxim? i'm looking for pt hh with some company but don't know what to expect as far as responsiblities, client load and so forth??