Home Health Agency Structure

Home health agencies offer assistance to the elderly and disabled.

Home health agencies provide private care services to the elderly and disabled in their homes. These organizations are typically made up of owners, administrators, schedulers and certified health aides.

Owners

Individual company owners are at the top of the agency hierarchy. The organization is sometimes run by a group of individuals or even a single family. The owners make hiring decisions regarding the types of employees they retain and the services offered by the home health agency.

Administrators

Administrators form the middle structural layer between the owners and front-line workers. These individuals typically consist of registered nurses or nurse managers, who may also function as schedulers for the agency. They assign jobs and tasks to the direct care workers, and assist in rectifying concerns and complaints.

Caregivers

The direct-care workers at home health agencies are typically certified nursing assistants. If the agency offers skilled care, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses also make visits to the home to provide treatment. Hospice professionals and social workers may also be part of this section of the team.

References

• The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers; Maria M. Meyer and RN Paula Derr; 2007