La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-9103

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-9103 - Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities

A. Administrator. The administrator shall be appointed by and answer directly to the governing body of the agency. The administrator of the agency shall be designated in writing. The administrator shall be administratively responsible and available in person or by telecommunication at all times for all aspects of facility operation. The administrator and the clinical manager or the alternate clinical manager may be the same individual if dually qualified. If an individual is designated as the administrator for more than one agency, then he/she shall designate an alternate who is a full-time, on-site employee of each agency and meets the qualifications for an administrator.

1. Qualifications

a. The administrator shall have three years of management experience in the delivery of health care service and meet one of the following criteria:

i. is a licensed physician; or

ii. is an RN; or

iii. is employed as an administrator on or after January 13, 2018, and is a college graduate with a bachelor's degree; or

iv. is employed as an administrator prior to January 13, 2018, and has had three additional years of documented experience in health care delivery service; or

v. is an administrator who has experience in health service administration with at least one year of supervisory or administrative experience related to home health care or a home health care program.

vi. Repealed.

b. Repealed.

2. Responsibilities. The administrator shall:

a. be available in person or by telecommunication at all times for all aspects of agency operation;

b. designate in writing an individual, who meets the qualifications for an administrator, to assume the authority and the control of the agency if the administrator is unavailable;

c. direct the operations of the agency;

d. be responsible for compliance with all regulations, laws, policies and procedures applicable to home health and Medicare (when applicable) issues;

e. employ qualified individuals and ensure adequate staff education and evaluations;

f. ensure the accuracy of public information materials and activities;

g. act as liaison between staff, the group of professional personnel, and the governing body;

h. implement an ongoing accurate and effective budgeting and accounting system; and

i. ensure that complaints reported by patients, families, caregivers, authorized healthcare providers, agency staff or public are investigated and addressed in a timely manner.

3. Continuing Education. The administrator shall annually obtain two continuing education hours relative to the administrator's role, which may include, but not be limited to the following topics:

a. Medicare and Medicaid regulations;

b. management practices;

c. labor laws;

d. Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules, laws, etc.;

e. ethics; and

f. quality improvement.

B. Clinical Manager

1. Qualifications. The clinical manager shall be an RN who is currently licensed to practice in the state of Louisiana and has at least three years of experience as an RN. One of these years shall consist of full-time experience in providing direct patient care in a home health setting. The clinical manager shall be a full-time employee of the licensed HHA and shall not work full-time at any other licensed healthcare agency. The clinical manager shall be available at all times during operating hours and additionally as needed.

NOTE: The clinical manager may not work for another licensed healthcare entity when on call or during operating hours of the HHA.

a. - b. Repealed.

2. Responsibilities. The clinical manager shall:

a. be a full-time employee of only one HHA;

b. supervise all patient care activities to assure compliance with current standards of accepted nursing practice;

c. establish personnel and employment policies to assure that only qualified personnel are hired; employ qualified personnel by verifying licensure and/or certification (as required by law) prior to employment and annually thereafter; and certify and maintain records to support competency of all allied health personnel;

i. - iii. Repealed.

d. develop and maintain agency policy and procedure manuals that establish and support the highest possible quality of patient care, cost controls, quality assurance, and mechanisms for disciplinary action for infractions;

e. supervise employee health program;

f. assure compliance with local, state, and federal laws as well as promote the health and safety of employees, patients and the community with the following nonexclusive methods:

i. resolve problems;

ii. perform complaint investigations;

iii. refer impaired personnel to proper authorities;

iv. provide for orientation and in-service to personnel to promote the health and safety of the patient as well as to familiarize staff with regulatory issues and agency policy and procedures;

v. ensure orientation of health care personnel who provide direct patient care;

vi. ensure timely annual evaluation of health care personnel;

vii. assure regularly scheduled appropriate continuing education for all health professionals and home health aides;

viii. assure that the care provided by the health care personnel promotes the health and safety of the patient; and

ix. assure that agency policies are enforced, including but not limited to checking the direct service worker (DSW)/certified nurse aide (CNA) registry for adverse actions against non-licensed employees in accordance with state laws;

g. be on site or immediately available to be on site and available by telecommunications during normal operating hours. The agency shall designate in writing an RN who shall assume the responsibilities of the clinical manager during his/her absence, i.e., on vacation, ill time, at a workshop, etc.

3. Continuing Education. The clinical manager shall annually obtain two continuing education hours relative to the clinical manager's role, which may include, but not be limited to the following topics:

a. Medicare and Medicaid regulations;

b. management practices;

c. labor laws;

d. Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules, laws, etc.;

e. ethics; and

f. quality improvement.

C. Home Health Aide

1. Qualifications. A home health aide shall meet the following criteria:

a. have current nursing assistant certification and successfully complete the agency's competency evaluation; or

b. have successfully completed a home health aide training program and successfully complete the agency's competency evaluation and meet each of the following:

i. exhibit a sympathetic attitude toward the patient, an ability to provide care to the sick, and the maturity and ability to deal effectively with the demands of the job;

ii. have the ability to read, write, and carry out directions promptly and accurately; and

iii. shall inform all employers when employed with one or more agencies; cooperate and coordinate to assure highest performance of quality when providing services to the patient.

2. Responsibilities. The home health aide:

a. shall obtain and record vital signs during each visit in addition to notifying the primary RN of deviations according to standard practice;

b. may provide assistance with the following ADL's during each visit: mobility, transferring, walking, grooming, bathing, dressing or undressing, eating, or toileting. Some examples of assistance include:

i. helping the patient with a bath, care of the mouth, skin and hair;

ii. helping the patient to the bathroom or in using a bed pan or urinal;

iii. helping the patient to dress and/or undress;

iv. helping the patient in and out of bed, assisting with ambulation;

v. helping the patient with prescribed exercises which the patient and the health aide have been taught by appropriate personnel; and

vi. performing such incidental household services essential to the patient's health care at home that are necessary to prevent or postpone institutionalization;

c. may perform care assigned by an RN if the delegation is in compliance with current standards of nursing practice;

d. may administer over the counter disposable enemas, saline or vinegar douches, and glycerine or Ducolax suppositories if such are included in the patient's POC; and

e. shall complete a clinical note for each visit, which shall be incorporated into record at least on a weekly basis.

f. - g. Repealed.

3. Restrictions. The home health aide shall not:

a. perform any intravenous procedures, procedures involving insertion of feeding tubes or urinary catheters, the administration of tube feedings, or any other sterile or invasive procedures;

b. administer medications to any patient; and

c. perform any of the following tasks which are not home health aide services:

i. transporting the patient;

ii. general housekeeping duties; or

iii. shopping.

4. Training. An HHA that offers a training program shall, at a minimum, include the following in the training program:

a. communication skills;

b. observation, reporting and documentation of patient status and the care or service furnished;

c. reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration;

d. basic infection control procedures;

e. basic elements of body functioning and changes in body function that shall be reported to the patient's RN;

f. maintenance of a clean, safe, and healthy environment of the patient's immediate surroundings;

g. recognizing emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures;

h. the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of the patient and methods for working with the populations served by the agency, including the need to respect the patient, his/her privacy and his/her property;

i. safe transfer techniques and ambulation;

j. appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming that include:

i. bed bath;

ii. sponge, tub, or shower bath;

iii. sink, tub, or bed shampoo;

iv. nail and skin care;

v. oral hygiene; and

vi. toileting and elimination.

k. normal range of motion and positioning;

l. adequate nutrition and fluid intake;

m. any other task, within state regulations, that the agency may choose to have the home health aide perform.

5. Orientation. The content of the basic orientation provided to home health aides shall include the following:

a. policies and objectives of the agency;

b. duties and responsibilities of a home health aide;

c. the role of the home health aide as a member of the health care team;

d. ethics and confidentiality;

e. record keeping;

f. information on the process of aging and behavior of the aged;

g. information on the emotional problems accompanying illness; and

h. principles and practices of maintaining a clean, healthy and safe environment.

6. Assignment. The home health aide is assigned to a patient by an RN in accordance with the POC. Specific written instructions for patient care are prepared by an RN or therapist as appropriate. All personal care services are described to the patient, in writing, by the RN in charge of that patient.

7. Supervision. An RN or licensed therapist shall provide direct supervision to the home health aide as follows.

a. An RN shall supervise and evaluate the home health aide's ability to perform assigned duties, relate to the patient, and work effectively as a member of the health care team.

b. Periodic on-site supervision with the home health aide present shall be established as part of the agency's policies and procedures.

c. If the patient is receiving a skilled service (nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech language pathology), the supervisory visits shall be made to the patient's residence at least once every two weeks (not to exceed 14 days) by the RN or appropriate therapist to assess relationships and determine whether goals are being met.

d. If the patient is not receiving skilled services, an RN shall make a supervisory visit to the patient's residence at least once every 60 days. In order to ensure that the aide is properly caring for the patient, the supervisory visit shall occur while the home health aide is providing patient care.

e. Documentation of supervision shall include the aide-patient relationships, services provided, and instructions and comments given as well as other requirements of the clinical note.

f. Annual performance review for each aide shall be documented in the individual's personnel record.

8. In-service. The agency shall offer a minimum of 12 hours of appropriate in-service training to each home health aide every calendar year. The in-service may be furnished while the aide is providing service to the patient, but shall be documented.

a. These in-service sessions should include, but are not limited to:

i. care of the body;

ii. communication;

iii. infection control;

iv. safety and documentation.

b. In-service training may be prorated for employees who only worked a portion of the year; however, part-time employees who work throughout the year shall attend 12 hours of in-service training.

c. Documentation should include the outline and length of the in-service training.

D. Licensed Practical Nurse

1. Qualifications. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) shall:

a. be currently licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners with no restrictions;

b. have worked at least one year as an LPN prior to being employed by an HHA; and

c. inform all employers when employed with one or more agencies and cooperate and coordinate to assure highest performance of quality when providing services to the patient.

d. - f. Repealed.

2. Responsibilities. The LPN shall:

a. perform skilled nursing services under the supervision of an RN in accordance with the laws governing the practice of practical nursing;

b. observe and report the patient's response to treatment and any changes in the patient's condition to the authorized healthcare provider and the supervising RN;

i. - vi. Repealed.

c. administer prescribed medications and treatments as permitted by the laws governing the practice of practical nursing;

d. prepare clinical and/or progress notes and incorporate them into the clinical record at least weekly;

e. perform wound care as ordered in accordance with the POC; and

f. perform routine venipuncture (phlebotomy) if written documentation of competency is in personnel record. Competency shall be evaluated by an RN even if LPN has completed a certification course.

3. Restrictions. The LPN shall not:

a. access any intravenous appliance for any reason;

b. perform supervisory visit for a home health aide;

c. develop and/or alter the POC;

i. - iii. Repealed.

d. make initial assessment visit;

e. prepare the recertification;

f. make aide assignments; or

g. function as a supervisor of the nursing practice of any RN.

4. - 8.c. Repealed.

E. Medical Social Services

1. Qualifications. A medical social worker shall:

a. be currently licensed by the Louisiana Board of Certified Social Work Examiners; or

b. have a master's degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in accordance with the requirements of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners.

c. Repealed.

2. Responsibilities. The medical social worker shall:

a. assist the authorized healthcare provider and other members of the health care team in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to the patient's health problems;

b. assess the social and emotional factors having an impact on the patient's health status, and assist in the formulation of the POC;

c. provide services within the scope of practice, as defined by state law, in accordance with the POC and in coordination with other members of the health care team;

d. ...

e. participate in discharge planning and in-service programs related to the needs of the patient; acts as a consultant to other members of the health care team; and

f. prepare a written assessment and summary of services provided when medical social work services are discontinued, including an assessment of the patient's current status that shall be retained in the patient's clinical record, and a copy forwarded to the attending authorized healthcare provider within five business days.

3. Restrictions. An unlicensed medical social worker may not contract directly with the HHA for clinical services, consultation, supervision or educational services.

a - g. Repealed.

F. Nutritional Guidance Services

1. Qualifications. If an agency provides or arranges for nutritional guidance, the staff member or consultant shall be a professional dietitian who meets the qualification standards of the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.

a. - b. Repealed.

2. Responsibilities. The dietitian shall:

a. document each visit made to the patient and incorporate notes into the clinical record on a weekly basis;

b. prepare initial nutritional dietary assessment;

c. communicate with the clinical manager, the nurse supervisor and/or the primary nurse assigned to the patient regarding the need for a continuation of services for each patient;

d. evaluate compliance with authorized healthcare provider ordered therapeutic diet and makes recommendations as needed;

e. evaluate patient's socio-economic factors to develop recommendations concerning food purchasing, preparation and storage;

f. train those persons who are responsible for purchasing and storing food;

g. evaluate food preparation methods to ensure that nutritive value is conserved in addition to flavor, texture and temperature principles being adhered to in meeting the individual patient's needs;

h. participate in all related case conferences with agency staff. Minutes of case conferences are retained in patient's clinical record;

i. prepare a written discharge summary and ensure that a copy is retained in patient's clinical record and a copy is forwarded to the attending authorized healthcare provider within five business days;

j. assess and evaluate the food and nutritional needs of the patient in accordance with the plan of treatment and the recommended daily dietary allowances established by the Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council;

k. participate in discharge planning and in-service training programs related to the needs of the patient and acts as a consultant to the other members of the health care team; and

l. ensure that a current diet manual (within five years of publication) is readily available to agency staff where applicable.

3. Repealed.

G. Occupational Therapist

1. Qualifications. An occupational therapist shall be currently licensed by the LSBME.

2. Responsibilities. The occupational therapist shall:

a. assist the authorized healthcare provider in evaluating the patient's functional status and occupational therapy needs, and assist in the development of the POC;

b. provide services within the scope of practice as defined by the state laws governing the practice of occupational therapy, in accordance with the POC, and in coordination with other members of the health care team;

c. observe and report the patient's response to treatment and any changes in his/her condition to the authorized healthcare provider and the supervising RN;

d. instruct and inform participating members of the health care team, the patient, and the family/caregivers regarding the POC, functional limitations and progress towards goals;

e. prepare clinical and/or progress notes for each visit and incorporate them into the clinical record at least weekly;

f. when occupational therapy services are discontinued, prepare a written discharge summary of services provided, including an assessment of patient's current status, for retention in the patient's clinical record, and forward a copy to the attending authorized healthcare provider within five business days; and

g. provide supervision of the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) as follows:

i. be readily available to the OTA by telecommunications;

ii. assess the competency and experience of the OTA;

iii. establish the type, degree and frequency of supervision that is required for an OTA in a home health setting; and

iv. conduct a face-to-face patient care conference with each OTA once every two weeks, or once every four to six treatment sessions, to review progress and modification of treatment programs for all patients.

h. - l. Repealed.

H. Occupational Therapy Assistant

1. Qualifications. The OTA shall:

a. be currently licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to assist in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of a licensed registered occupational therapist; and

b. have, at a minimum, two years' experience as a licensed OTA before starting a home health caseload.

2 - 2.g.iv. Repealed.

I. Physical Therapist

1. Qualifications. The physical therapist shall be currently licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

a - b. Repealed.

2. Responsibilities. The physical therapist shall:

a. assist the authorized healthcare provider in evaluating the patient's functional status and physical therapy needs, and assist in the development of the POC;

b. provide services within the scope of practice as defined by the state laws governing the practice of physical therapy, in accordance with the POC, and in coordination with other members of the health care team;

c. observe and report the patient's reaction to treatment and any changes in his/her condition to the authorized healthcare provider and the supervising RN;

d. instruct and inform participating members of the health care team, the patient, and the family/caregivers regarding the POC, functional limitations and progress towards goals;

e. prepare clinical and/or progress notes for each visit and incorporate them into the clinical record at least weekly;

f. when physical therapy services are discontinued, prepare a written discharge summary and ensure that a copy is retained in the patient's clinical record and a copy is forwarded to the attending authorized health care provider;

g. may supervise home health aides in lieu of an RN if physical therapy is the only skilled service being provided;

h. provide supervision to a physical therapy assistant (PTA) as follows:

i. be readily accessible by telecommunications;

ii. evaluate and establish a written treatment plan on the patient prior to implementation of any treatment program;

iii. treat and reassess the patient on at least every sixth visit, but not less than once per month;

iv. conduct a face-to-face patient care conference every two weeks with each PTA to review progress and modification of treatment programs for all patients; and

v. assess the final treatment rendered to the patient at discharge and include in the discharge summary.

J. Physical Therapy Assistant

1. Qualifications. The PTA shall be currently licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and be supervised by a licensed physical therapist. The PTA shall have, at a minimum, one year of experience as a licensed PTA before assuming responsibility for a home health caseload.

a. - c. Repealed.

2. Restrictions. The PTA's duties shall not include interpretation and implementation of referrals or prescriptions, performance evaluations, or the determination or major modifications of treatment programs.

a. - h.v. Repealed.

K. Registered Nurse

1. Qualifications. The RN shall be currently licensed by the LSBN without restrictions and have, at a minimum, one year of clinical experience as an RN. This requirement may be waived for an RN with one year's clinical experience as an LPN.

a. Special Qualifications. In addition to the above qualifications, an RN shall have one of the following credentials in order to provide psychiatric nursing services. Work experience shall have been obtained within the last five years. If experience is not within the five-year time period, then documentation shall be provided to support either psychiatric retraining, classes, or CEUs to update psychiatric knowledge:

i. a master's degree in psychiatric or mental health nursing; or

ii. a bachelor's degree in nursing and one year of work experience in an active treatment unit in a psychiatric or mental health facility or outpatient mental health clinic; or

iii. a diploma or associate degree and two years of work experience in an active treatment unit in a psychiatric or mental health hospital or outpatient clinic.

2. Responsibilities. The RN shall:

a. provide or supervise skilled nursing services in accordance with authorized healthcare provider orders;

b. assess and regularly re-evaluate the nursing needs of the patient;

c. develop, initiate, implement, and update the POC as needed or at least every 60 days, or as needed;

d. provide specialized nursing services, which may include treatments and diagnostic and preventive procedures;

e. initiate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures as appropriate for the patient's care and safety;

f. coordinate services and inform the authorized healthcare provider and other personnel of changes in the patient's condition and needs;

g. teach, supervise and counsel the patient, family members and other members of the health care team regarding the nursing care needs and other related problems of the patient at home;

h. prepare clinical and/or progress notes and incorporate them into the clinical record at least weekly;

i. observe and report the patient's response to treatment and any changes in his/her condition to the authorized healthcare provider and supervising RN;

j. conduct on-site supervisory evaluations at least every six months of each licensed practical nurse while he/she is providing care and document such supervision in the LPN's personnel file;

k. conduct on-site supervision of patient care provided by the home health aide; and

l. function as patient advocate in all medical decisions affecting the patient.

3. Restrictions. An RN applicant may not work in the home health setting as an RN.

L. Speech Pathology Services

1. Qualifications. The speech pathologist shall be currently licensed by the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

a. - a.iii. Repealed.

2. Responsibilities. The speech pathologist shall:

a. assist the authorized healthcare provider and other members of the health care team in evaluating the patient's speech or language needs and formulating the POC;

b. provide service within the scope of practice as defined by the state law governing the practice of speech pathology, in accordance with the POC and in coordination with other members of the health care team;

c. observe and report the patient's response to treatment and any changes in the patient's condition to the authorized healthcare provider and supervising RN;

d. instruct and inform participating members of the health care team, the patient, and the family/caregivers regarding the POC, functional limitations and progress towards goals;

e. prepare clinical and or progress notes for each visit and incorporate them into the clinical record at least weekly; and

f. prepare a written summary of the services provided when speech therapy services are discontinued, including an assessment of the patient's current status which shall be retained in the patient's clinical record and a copy forwarded to the authorized healthcare provider within five business days.

g. - M.2.f. Repealed.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-9103

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 18:57 (January 1992), amended LR 21:177 (February 1995), LR 22:1135 (November 1996), LR 27:2240 (December 2001), Amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 481828 (7/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2116.31 et seq.