Private Duty Personnel Policy

Private Duty Personnel Policy

Effective Date: [Original NPP Date]
Revised Date: [Current Date]

Policy

Private duty Licensed Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are permitted to provide resident care at this facility at the request of the resident and/or responsible party. Private duty companions who are not licensed or certified may not provide resident care that is normally provided by only licensed or certified persons.

Procedure

Obtaining Private Duty Personnel:

• It is the sole responsibility of the family to obtain any and all private duty nurses or CNAs.
• All private duty Licensed Nurses must have a current license in the state and will be required to show their license to the Director of Nursing (DON) and/or shift supervisor. The license will be verified with the Licensure Board.
• All private duty CNAs must have a current registration and will be required to show their registration to the DON and/or shift supervisor. The registration will be verified with ASI.

Orientation and Training:

• All private duty personnel will be in-serviced by the Director of Staff Development or shift Supervisor on Fire, Safety, and the specific needs of the resident.
• Additional orientation will be based on the skill and experience of the private duty personnel.

Responsibilities and Conduct:

• Private duty personnel must abide by all policies and procedures of the facility.
• If the private duty Nurse or CNA is unable to care for the resident or cannot report on duty that day, they must inform the facility DON or Shift Supervisor.
• The private duty Nurse or CNA is responsible for informing the family of their absence, and it is the family's decision whether to arrange for another private duty Nurse/CNA or have the resident cared for by the facility.
• The facility will not become involved in any payment agreements between the family and the private duty nurse or CNA.

Operational Procedures:

1. Sign In/Out: Private duty personnel must sign in and out in the book provided for them in the supervisor’s office.
2. Shift Reporting: Report to the nurse in charge of their shift.
3. Medication Keys: Private duty personnel are not permitted to be in possession of the medication keys, including the narcotic key.
4. Resident Condition: Keep the Charge Nurse informed of the resident’s condition at all times.
5. Accountability: Be responsible to the Charge Nurse for total resident care.

References

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual, Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long-Term Care Facilities. [Link to current CMS SOM]
• CMS Requirements of Participation for Long-Term Care Facilities. [Link to current guidelines]