Every month the Home Care Alliance of Ma shares the opportunity for Aides to gain their education hours needed by promoting teleconferences put on by the North Carolina Association. Why Participate? An investment in staff education is an investment in quality customer service for all types of agencies. For home health and hospice agencies, these hour-long teleconferences can be used to help meet the 12 hours per year educational requirements under the Medicare Conditions of Participation. For all providers, an educational investment in your staff pays off in quality care!

See below for the upcoming teleconferences available for purchase:

October 13, 2016
TOPIC: No Tricks & No Treats – What Aides Need to Know to Protect Themselves from Negative Accusations & Investigations
Speaker: Sherry Thomas, BSN, MPH
Description: It’s no treat to be investigated by the Federal Office of Inspector General (OIG) … scary sounding…yes? Have you ever heard of the OIG Exclusions List? That is a list you do not want to be on!! Are you aware that federal regulations can prohibit you ever working again in an agency such as a certified home health, hospice, Personal Care Services or a waiver program for seniors that receive federal funding like Medicare and Medicaid? Come join me as we talk about how you can land on this list and an aide’s responsibility to be above reproach. Don’t let the words fraud, abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property or drugs come near your good name. Handouts will include an Aide’s Code of Ethics!

November 10, 2016
TOPIC: The Aide’s Role in Patient Centered Care
Speaker: Kathie Smith, RN
Description: Patient Centered Care focuses on the patient as an individual and takes into account the individual person’s likes, dislikes and what makes for a “good day” along with the tasks necessary to carry out the assigned plan of care. This teleconference will focus on how to see the patient as a unique individual in providing patient centered care.

December 8, 2016
TOPIC: The Aide’s Role in Understanding Mental Health Disorders
Speaker: Cindy Morgan, RN, MSN, CHC, CHPN
Description: This presentation will explore some mental health disorders that may create challenges for the Nurse Aide in the home setting. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness approximately 43.8 million adults or 1 in 5 adults in the U.S experiences mental illness annually. Chances are that some of the patients we care for in the home may be experiencing some sort of mental illness. Learn strategies that can help you when caring for these patients.

January 12, 2017
TOPIC: Who Can Sleep Tight…When Bed Bugs Bite!
Speaker: Kathie Smith, RN
Description: Bed bugs have been common in U.S. history. Although bed bug populations dropped dramatically during the mid-20th century, the United States is one of many countries now experiencing an alarming resurgence in the population of bed bugs. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency bed bugs are a public health pest. While bed bugs have not been shown to transmit disease, they do cause a variety of negative physical health, mental health and economic consequences. This teleconference will cover the negative effects of bed bugs, how to identify bed bugs and tips in preventing and treating bed bugs.

February 9, 2017
TOPIC: The Aide’s Role in Working with the Immobile Patient
Speaker: John Conrad
Description: Immobility and long periods of inactivity are harmful to elderly patients and can lead to a further loss of ambulation and strength as well as the increased risk of falls. Patients suffering a loss of mobility can also become depressed. Immobility can impact and cause serious health complications – including blood clots, urinary tract infection and respiratory complications. In-home aides play a vital role in helping to increase/maintain patient mobility and in preventing serious negative impacts.

March 9, 2017
TOPIC: The Aide’s Role in Confidentiality and HIPAA
Speaker: Michelle White, MSN, RN
Description: This workshop will focus on assisting your In-Home Aides in understanding HIPAA and confidentiality guidelines. This workshop will offer practical tips to ensure that the para-professional adheres to the required privacy standards. Also included: the impact of social media such as Facebook, My Space, YouTube and cell phones, text messages, etc.

April 13, 2017
TOPIC: The Aide’s Role in Working with a Terminal Client & Their Family
Speaker: Cindy Morgan, RN, MSN, CHC, CHPN
Description: What does it mean to be terminally ill? This presentation will define terminally ill as well as some of the different aspects of care that are so important to the patients and families facing a terminal illness. Learn about the trajectory of terminal illness and what to expect when the patient is nearing the end of life.

May 11, 2017
TOPIC: The Aide’s Role in Infection Control in Home Care & Hospice
Speaker: Michelle White, MSN, RN
Description: This workshop will focus on understanding the basic principles of infection prevention and control. This workshop will also focus on Blood Borne Pathogens and the principles surrounding transmission and methods in which the aide can protect themselves and the patient.

June 8, 2017
TOPIC: Eagle Eye Aides – Recognizing Key Patient Abnormalities
Speaker: Sherry Thomas, BSN, MPH
Description: You are in the first line of patient defense! You are the boots on the ground as far as helping to identify that something is “wrong” with your patient. You are the Eagle Eye Aide! Join this teleconference to learn how to recognize the subtle and not so subtle changes in your patient that is the first clue that something is amiss patient wise and what then to report to your supervisor!

Click Here to go to our Events Calendar to register for one or more of these great programs!