Caregiver's Corner

Caregiver of the Month

Enthusiastic, assertive and efficient, these are just a few words to describe Karen G. Her desire to please and invoke positive reinforcement to her clients is second to none. She never shy’s away from a difficult task, but instead goes the extra mile, and for that, we take our hats off and salute Karen G...Caregiver of the Month!

Upcoming Educational Opportunities

HIV/AIDS & Blood Borne Pathogens (4 hr initial)

Available Weekly (Call 772-343-1650)

HIV/AIDS & Blood Borne Pathogens (2 hr update)

Available Weekly (Call 772-343-1650)

OTHER HHA/CNA IN-Service Classes Available Weekly:

Infection Control (2 hr)

Abuse/Neglect (3 hr)

Medical Errors and Safety (1 hr)

Domestic Violence (1 hr)

Alzeheimer's (3 hr)

And Many More! (Call 772-343-1650)

FEDEN Healthcare

Visit www.RN.com for Continuing Education Courses

Helpful Articles

Speaking with Alzeheimer's Clients

Never ARGUE - Agree
Never REASON - Redirect
Never SHAME - Distract
Never LECTURE - Reassure
Never say 'REMEMBER' - Reminisce
Never say 'I ALREADY TOLD YOU' - Repeat
Never say 'YOU CAN'T - Say 'Do What You Can'
Never COMMAND - Ask
Never CONDESCEND - Encourge and Praise
Never FORCE - Reinforce

Checklist for Caregivers

- I am getting out/exercising at least once a week.
- I am getting at least seven to nine hours of restful sleep a night
- I talk with or visit up to three friends or relatives weekly
- I keep annual medical and dental appointments
- I am eating three balanced meals a day.

Why do I need Professional Liability Insurance?

One of the most frequently asked questions by CNA's and HHA's is: Why do I need my own professional liability insurance if my agency is already covered?

You may already understand that your own policy offers coverage that will protect you against allegations of malpractice while you are working on your certification, but you also want to make certain that you have sufficient protection in the event you are named in a lawsuit or need legal defense to respond to a complaint against you with the licensing board or ethics committee.

While the agency has coverage, the policy is designed to protect its interests first. If you have your own policy, you will have the benefit of your own representation that is focused that is focused on your interests in the event of a lawsuit.

Some healthcare professionals avoid purchasing or continuing their own policy because they may have been told, "having your own insurance will make you a more likely target for a lawsuit." This couldn't be further from the truth. A person can sue you anytime, for any reason. If a patient or client perceives he or she has been injured and perceives that this injury is the result of your providing, or failing to provide, adequate professional services, that patient could sue. This doesn't mean that you have been negligent. It means that the patient or client perceives negligence. Also, no one can know whether you have your own policy, unless you tell someone. In fact, if you are involved in a lawsuit, this information typically won't be uncovered until the "discovery phase." At that point, you will already have been named in the suit.

By continuing your coverage as a professional, you can feel comfortable knowing that if something happens on or off the job, 24/7, you can rely on your own policy to protect you against allegations of professional malpractice.

Comments or Suggestions?

Caregiver Resources

To Work as Home Health Aide at a Nurse Registry

To work as a Home Health Aide at a nurse registry, a Home Health Aide must provide documentation of successful completion of at least 40 hours of Home Health Aide training by:

a public vocational technical school or
a private career education school licensed by the Florida Department of Education or
a home health agency, if the home health aide was formerly employed by that home health agency.

How to get training as a Home Health Aide, contact:

Feden Healthcare Education Institute
10556 South Federal Highway
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Office: 772-343-1650
Fax: 772-343-1652
http://www.FedenGroup.com

Have you misplaced your Home Health Aide Certificate

There is no central state registry for Home Health Aides in the state of Florida. If you misplaced your Home Health Aide certificate, you will need to contact the school in which you received your certificate in order to receive a replacement.

Questions Concerning Certified Nursing Assistants

An individual with a Florida certified nursing assistant certificate can be employed by a home health agency as a home health aide. CNAs are certified by a different state agency, the Department of Health, Board of Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant Registry. Passage of the state CNA test is required for certification.

For more information on the CNA test, Call 888-277-3500 There are also in-service requirements for keeping the CNA certificate. For information on these requirements, please go to their website and view the CNA state rules or call 850-245-4567

Other Questions? Call the AHCA Home Care Unit 850-414-6010

Do you have Professional Liability Insurance?

The professional liability insurance provides coverage 24 hours a day whether you're on the job, off-duty, and even if you change jobs. Whether you are employed, self-employed or a student, this broad coverage includes the following valuable benefits:
Policy Features
Up to $1,000,000 each claim professional liability coverage
Up to $3,000,000 aggregate professional liability coverage
Occurrence-based Coverage
Pays Your Defense Costs
Deposition Representation
Defendant Expense Benefit
License Protection
24-hour coverage
www.cmfgroup.com - Purchase online

Do you need your CPR certification?

The CPR Company
3215 South US Highway 1
Suite D
Fort Pierce FL 34982
772-342-7071
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
CPRco.org

In-service training requirements for Certified Nursing Assistants

Each Certified Nursing Assistant must complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training each calendar year. For candidates certified during the calendar year, the minimum in-service hours required shall be prorated at the rate of 1.0 hours per month from the month of intial certification to the end of the calendar year.

Every 2 years, in-service training hours shall include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

HIV/AIDS, Infection Control
Domestic Violence
Medical Record Documentation and legal aspects appropiate to nursing assistants
Resident Rights
Communication with cognitively impaired clients
CPR skills
Medical Error Prevention and Safety

Required documents for all CNA's and HHA's

CPR card

CNA Certificate (State of Florida): If your CNA certificate was issued by another state you must contact the CNA office at the Florida Department of Health to inquire about taking the written examination prior to working as a CNA in Florida

HHA Certificate (40 or more hours): If you earned your HHA in another state you must provide a list of the course work completed.

Physical: Statement from a licensed health care professional based on examination within the past 6 months, that you are in good health sufficient to provide services to individuals with compromised health and are free of communicable disease. (If transferred by another agency must not be more than 2 years old).

HIV/AIDS Training Certificate: Must show a minimum of 2 hours training, not more than 2 years old; 1 hour training biennially thereafter.

Level 2 Background Screening (can be performed at our office)

Valid Florida Drivers License

Valid Automobile Insurance ID Card

Social Security Card

Professional Liability Insurance (Homemaker/Companions excluded)

Forms

Time Off Notification - PDF
Physical Form - PDF
Required Docs for all CNA's and HHA's - PDF