Please Help Me With Questions asap.....

[Jan RN]

Hello. I am going on an interview today for a home care agency.

Have never worked home care. What are the main questions I should ask about the agency/work, etc. that are important to know before I start?

I really appreciate your response!!

Thanks...................jan

[HmarieD]

You will want to know:

- What the geographic coverage area is and if you will be localized in one area or all over the place, how many miles nurses typically travel in a day or week (can make a big difference in the # of hours worked R/T the # of pts seen), especially if you'll be paid per visit and not hourly

- How many pts nurses typically see in a day (more than 6 is a lot)

- What the milage reimbursement is and if they reimburse you for use of your cell phone (you'll be using it a lot)

- If you will be case-managing and scheduling your own list of pts or if they have dedicated case management staff

- What the call schedule and call reimbursement is like

- What type of orientation program they have

- If they have nurses assigned to do admissions or if all staff are responsible for start of cares as assigned

- What is the expected turn-around time for paperwork (starts, recerts, regular visits - home health paperwork can be very time-consuming)

- I don't know your work experience, but if you feel it's likely you'll be assigned somthing you're not proficient in (wound vacs, central line IV therapy, etc), will they send a manager or other staff with you at least the first time you do it

- Is their documentation still on paper or do they use computer charting (I personally prefer computers because you will have much more info available to you in the field)

GOOD LUCK! I love home health, can't imagine doing anything else. I hope you feel the same way - if you get the job give yourself some time to get acclimated, it does take a while for all the paperwork to click and to get in the flow of things.