POSITION SUMMARY

The Home Health Leader is responsible for ensuring the quality and safe delivery of home health care services; coordinates services so that they reflect Meadowlark Hills’ philosophy, policies, and standards of care; and plans, develops, implements and evaluates the services, programs and activities.  The Leader maintains a professional work relationship with the Home Health services team, physician and clients, and remains knowledgeable of clients’ responsibilities and rights, including the right to determine their own preferences.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and interpreting the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., necessary for providing quality care and maintaining a sound      operation.
• Responsible for communicating policies, procedures, regulations, reports, etc., to personnel, clients, family members, visitors, and government agencies/personnel.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department personnel.
• Maintains working relationships with Home Health services team, physicians and other medical personnel through clear and effective communication.
• Creates, fosters and maintains positive and professional relationships with referral sources.
• Maintains confidentiality of all client information.
• Implements and ensures clinical policies, procedures, and operations are in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, the State’s Nurse Practice Act, and professional standards of nursing care      while honoring person-centered care.
• Responsible for quality assurance measures for the home health agency.
• Personally responsible and held accountable for following Meadowlark Hills’ mission and values.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports other team members in meeting all job requirements, providing timely feedback, and actively participates in being a learning and teaching organization.  Willingness to continue to learn and seek improvement.
• Attends and participates in continuing education and in-service training programs.
• May be involved in community/civic health matters/projects.
• Responsible for staying abreast of current laws, regulations, policies, procedures and best practices and adapting to company and industry changes.
• Responsible for performing other duties as assigned.

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employee is required to follow any other instructions and perform other assigned duties.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions/responsibilities.

Experience:  Minimum one (1) year of supervisory and/or administrative experience in home health care or related health programs, clinical nursing experience or training in a related filed, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills or abilities required.  The Home Health Leader is expected to have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job satisfactorily in accordance with current standards, guidelines, and regulations of Meadowlark Hills.

Education:  Bachelors’ degree in Health Care Services Administration or equivalent/related education required. An Administrator’s license for the state of Kansas is preferred.

Licensing Requirements:  Must possess a current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) required.

Personal/Technical Skills:  The skills necessary for successful performance of the Leader include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrated ability in or application of organizational/communication skills.  Ability to deal effectively with high levels of stress.  Ability to enlist the cooperation of many peoples in furthering a program.
• Must have ability to motivate team members to meet the needs to the agency in a positive and professional manner.
• Must possess ability to maintain good personnel relations and employee morale work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
• Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as must be willing to handle clients, staff, and visitors, based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, clients, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public if necessary.

• Proficiency in reading, writing, understanding and speaking the English language, grammar, and math/numerical calculations. Must be able to read and interpret financial records, reports, etc.

• Must have a thorough knowledge of OBRA regulations, the survey process, survey tag numbers, and quality measures.

• Must be knowledgeable of reimbursement regulations and nursing practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to Home Health Agency administration.
• Must be thoroughly familiar with laws, regulations, and guidelines governing personnel administration.

• Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing practices.
• Must be knowledgeable of computer systems, system applications, and other office equipment.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with clients, personnel, and support agencies.

• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace, and must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this Agency, which include a medical and physical examination.

Problem Solving: Resourceful critical thinking skills are needed in problem solving issues involving, but not limited to: planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and interpreting the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, clients’ care, interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, and facilitation with clients and family members.

Decision Making: Logical sound judgment needed when making decisions and taking appropriate action concerning clients’ care.  Maintains compliance and safety standards while focusing on a person-first philosophy. Must possess ability to exercise initiative and make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Supervision:  The Leader directly supervises the Home Health Services Team, including Home Health RN, LPN, Aides, Companions and office staff.

Financial Accountability:  Responsible for making optimal use of all resources including time, while respecting clients’ and Meadowlark Hills’ property.

Personal Relations: Honors all clients and family preferences through support, friendship, kindness, sincerity, communication and relationship building.  The Administrator works closely with all members of home health services team, vision team, physician, social services, human resources, clients, families and guests.

Working Environment: The Home Health Leader works primarily indoors in a climate controlled well-lighted sedentary office setting with controlled temperature and air quality.  The Leader also must have the ability and is responsible for traveling to and from client’s homes and may be exposed to some unhygienic conditions, communicable diseases, infectious waste, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis Bviruses. The Leader is subject to frequent interruptions involving clients, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances. The Leader is often subject to hostile, stressful, uncomfortable, and emotional situations while helping clients and family members, personnel, and visitors.  The Leader must observe rigid, standardized guidelines to guard against disease, accidents, and other dangers, wearing protective equipment when needed.

Physical Demands: The Home Health Leader position requires minimal physical activity and intermittent movement throughout the workday in order to perform daily duties, spending long periods of time sitting, standing, walking, and assisting clients. Requires the ability to stand, walk, push, pull, carry, move, bend, kneel, squat, reach, stretch, maneuver around and lift a minimum of 50 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.  The Leader must use universal precautions in all situations.  This position requires the ability to pull up or reposition clients in bed, lift supplies, place equipment on supports, and bend over to perform certain duties.  The Leader must also be able to quickly maneuver throughout halls, stairways, and clients’ homes in response to emergencies.  In the event there is a need to evacuate the home/building, heavy lifting may be required to assist and or carry clients to safety.  Must be able to operate standard office equipment such as but not limited to, telephone, computer, printer, copier, fax machine, etc, and various equipment and mobility devices, such as wheelchair, walker, gait belt, mechanical lift, etc., used by/for clients.  These functions must be performed with normal visual range, acuity, color determination, and the ability to distinguish letters and numbers. Good oral communication skills, the ability to speak clearly, and the ability to listen attentively with appropriate hearing acuity are required.  The Leader must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Work Hours:  Clients and guests require 24-hour a day care; so the ability to work nights, weekends and holidays is required.  Primary work hours are dependent upon the shift(s) needed for full-time and part-time positions.  Prefer no more than 40 hours per week. Hours may vary depending upon clients’ needs.  Adjustments to the schedule are made to accommodate these demands when necessary.