With the wide array of legal and regulatory requirements, staying healthcare compliant can be challenging, but could be one of the most important things you do for your patients, facility and your career.
No matter your employment capacity (full time, contract traveler, per diem), each facility requires you to keep up with your compliance status. Staying compliant with your license, certifications, CPR, immunizations (TB), skill sheets, annual training and much more, show your strong commitment and integrity towards your profession.
It’s not always easy to keep track of the numerous items to keep current. My suggestion is to set up reminders in your email calendar, in your iPhone, BlackBerry, Android or just the plain old wall calendar / planner.
Most professionals have varying time frames where their documents / certifications come due. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get your items renewed without missing your deadline. For example, continuing education might be one of the most time consuming. For Aureus Medical you may complete up to 27 modules. Each module can run from 3 – 10 questions. For state licenses, it’s going to vary from state to state (possibly 1 to 6 weeks). For immunizations, appointments must be scheduled and completed.
Our commitment to compliance is to be the best. Let’s prove our commitment to quality together.
CPR – Almost every healthcare professional is required to be certified in CPR and some must be certified in advanced life support. To help ensure the safety of patients, it’s essential to maintain your CPR and advanced life support certifications. Most facilities only accept life support certifications from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Remember if you take an online test you will also need to complete a skills test in person with a CPR instructor. Visit the American Heart Association to locate a class.
State License – There’s no way around this requirement! Healthcare professionals need to renew their state license as soon as they know of it expiring. Contact the state licensing board and make sure you maintain this important credential!
TB Skin Test – It’s important to be tested each year since healthcare providers can be placed in situations where it’s possible to contract and spread tuberculosis. You cannot let your TB test expire beyond one year! Most times you can update your TB prior to expiration at the facility you are assigned to. If this is not an option, contact your Aureus Account Manager promptly to help you find another location close to you.
Annual Training –Healthcare facilities and professionals take the safety of patients very seriously. To help ensure you stay up-to-date on healthcare policies and Joint Commission requirements, Aureus Medical offers an annual training program to cover various topics including HIPAA, substance abuse recognition, legal issues, and infection control. An email will be sent with instructions when your Annual Training is due. Follow the instructions to login and complete your testing.
Skills Checklist – It’s important for us to be aware of any new skills since the last time your checklist was completed. It’s equally important to know if you’ve become more proficient in any skill over the past year. We forward your checklists to potential employers when you are presented to jobs, so it is critical they are an accurate reflection of your abilities! It’s very easy to update your checklists – just login anytime to www.aureusmedical.com.