How Does a Home Health Agency Operator Spend a Workday?
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Staffing
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A home health agency operator's primary responsibility from day to day is to ensure that all clients are being taken care of. This involves scheduling staff and following up to be sure that the staffers were on time and stayed for the entire shift. First thing each morning, a home health agency operator checks messages for any call-offs, and if there are any, coordinates other staff to fill in so that the client's needs are still met.
Documentation and Review
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Home health agencies are heavily regulated by state and federal agencies. A great deal of documentation is required, particularly if the agency is being funded by Medicare or Medicaid. A home health agency operator must keep documentation that details the times that staff were caring for patients and what care was provided. A home health agency operator must also review the documentation provided by staff for accuracy.
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Management of Staff
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A home health agency operator is responsible for managing staff. Depending on the type of home health agency, this can be a range of disciplines, including social workers, home care aides, chaplains, registered nurses and clerical staff. The manager needs to ensure the integrity of the organization, and is responsible for handling disciplinary action when necessary. The manager also holds staff meetings and provides leadership.
Billing and Payroll
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The home health agency operator is responsible for accurate billing, whether the services are paid for privately or by state or federal funding. If the agency employs billing personnel, the manager is responsible for overseeing these staff members and fixing problems when necessary. This is a vital part of the home health agency operator's role, because payment is frequently denied due to billing errors. Therefore, this task is essential for the agency to make a profit.
Customer Relations
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The home health agency operator is typically the point of contact for any customer complaints or concerns. Other agencies that refer clients to this agency may contact the manager if they have a concern about care that was provided to a mutual client. The home health agency operator must have excellent customer relations skills, so that she is able to diffuse angry customers and develop solutions while thinking on her feet.
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