Drug Free Workplace • The Agency will provide a copy of the Drug Free Workplace policy to anyone applying for services from the Agency, employees on hire and any person who requests the information. Personnel Classifications and Coverage Backup Staffing • The Agency will for pediatric patients/clients, use the client’s designee who is willing and able to provide the necessary services and has agreed to provide back-up services without coercion from the agency. The Agency will maintain a signed written agreement from the client’s designee. The Agency will not coerce a patient/client to accept backup services. Employee Orientation • Personnel who are direct care staff and who have direct contact with patients/clients (employed by or under contract with the agency) will sign a statement that they have read, understand, and will comply with all applicable agency policies. Personnel will be informed of changes in techniques, philosophies, goals, patient’s/client’s rights, and products relating to patient’s/client’s care. • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) - HIPAA education is to be completed within 60 days from the hire date as it relates to the Agency’s particular course of business and each employee’s scope of employment and will include training per Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC), Title 2, Subtitle I, Chapter 181, Subchapter C “Access to and Use of Protected Health Information”. • If the duties of an Agency employee are affected by a material change in state or federal law concerning protected health information, the employee shall receive training necessary and appropriate for the Agency employee to carry out his/her duties, within a reasonable period, but not later than the first anniversary of the date the material change in law takes effect. Employee Supervision Each physical therapy assistant and occupational therapy assistant visit notes will indicate the name of the supervising therapist. Supervising occupational therapist is the individual is readily available to answer questions about a patient/client intervention at the time of the provision of services. Delegation Agency staff will acknowledge, observe and implement registered nurse (RN) delegation, when applicable. Nursing Peer Review The Agency will fulfill the requirements of the Texas Nursing Practice Act for the purpose of evaluating if a nurse (registered nurse or a vocational nurse) has engaged in unacceptable nursing practice. The Agency will implement nurse peer review (NPR) activities through a Nursing Peer Review Committee (NPRC).
