Hiring Quality Home Health Care Staff: Reducing Your Risk and Increasing Your Profits
Posted on August 17, 2011 in Featured-writers Newswire
By Ginny Kenyon
Have you ever hired someone you thought was a great hire only to find out that you just hired your worst nightmare? Some crafty individuals have the system down pat and can successfully bluff their way through your hiring process. They pass all the tests and answer the interview questions so skillfully you think you have a real jewel. In my experience running home health and hospice agencies, you can be right on with your hires - most of the time - but every now and then you get one that leaves you wondering how you missed the signals that something was amiss. It only takes one such hire to spoil the home health caregiver pool. They can be disruptive with the staff, uncooperative, and, worst of all, can cause you to lose customers. And, if you are a private pay home care agency, they can steal your best paying clients. So, what can you do to avoid the "bad apples?"
Finding the ideal home health caregiver for your clients begins with a clear profile. Begin by developing a profile of your average client. For instance, if 80% or more of your home care clients have dementia, you are going to develop a profile of a caregiver who is good with individuals with diminished cognitive functions. Primary traits to look for with this clientele would be patience, calmness, and the ability to direct and cue the client gently. You also want someone with compassion, integrity, and loyalty to the clients and your agency. The first set of traits is easier to assess, as you can do a visual evaluation and hear their responses. The second set of traits is more challenging. Fortunately, we now have tools that help us evaluate, in a validated way, the behavioral traits that can make or break your business. One such test can be found at www.LeadingHomeCare.com.
Several behavioral tests on the market now rate truthfulness, reliability, loyalty, team player, general reasoning, dependability, etc. Additionally, there are aide knowledge tests and RN tests for infusion and ventilator care, if applicable. All tools should be used based on the home care clientele that you are serving. The more comprehensive the screening, the better the chances you will be hiring star performers for your clients.
A second process to ensure you are getting the best home care caregivers is the criminal background check. In fact, many states now require them. Some also require fingerprinting. Even if your state does not require a background check, it is highly recommended that you do a comprehensive one. A comprehensive check, at the very least, should include felony and misdemeanor warrants and convictions, traffic violation history, and a federal warrant sweep. An effective background check goes back seven years and covers every state in which the individual has worked or lived during that time. A clean record is preferred, of course, but sometimes a good caregiver has had some minor issues in their teenage years. If that is the case, and the offenses are not those that automatically exclude them, like rape or violence, it is up to you and your discretion whether you will overlook their past record. For additional information about this risk area, go to www.theidentityadvocate.com.
Finally, look at the potential employee's history of continuing education. Along with a resume, ask about the last two years of continuing education attended by the individual. A quality caregiver takes responsibility for their education. As the saying goes, past behavior is the best predictor of future behaviors.
Recruiting and hiring is an expensive and time consuming activity. Doing it right saves you time and money. Currently, I have seen estimates between $2,500 to $3,000 to recruit and hire an aide, and $5,000 to $6,000 for licensed staff. This is an investment that you cannot afford to lose. The more you invest up front to be sure you are hiring the best for your agency and your clients, the more likely you will be successful in hiring the right people.
If you feel you could use some help in developing a comprehensive hiring process, contact us.
©2011, Ginny Kenyon. All rights reserved.
About the Author:
Ginny Kenyon, Founder and CEO of Kenyon HomeCare Consulting, is passionate about helping clients achieve unique success in the marketplace. Known for her ability to produce substantial results in a short period of time, her keen understanding of the home care industry allows clients to develop and implement long-term solutions that fit organizational needs and expectations. She holds a Masters in Nursing Administration with minors in Business and Health Services and is an accomplished writer, guest speaker, and teacher.
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