I
worked in home health for about 2 years. Found that I had the most impact with
the agency that I determined to be my primary agency. I actively participated
in every staff meeting, asking questions about patients that weren't on my
caseload, offering suggestions that were appropriate for CNAs and
stating why an OT referral was needed for specific patients...explaining what I
thought OT could do in each patient's case. I also made an effort to
overlap my visits with CNAs in particular. They then became advocates for OT,
because they began to see how OT improved the patient's issues
and facilitated their work with the patient. I also made it a point to
participate in agency social functions in order to increase my visibility...it
was fun and further promoted that I was part of the team.
I
found it difficult to develop professional rapport & expand OT services in
those agencies where I was unable to attend their weekly
meetings.
Karen
-----Original Message-----In a message dated 08/21/2002 7:21:36 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 10:40 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Dissappointment
Ron, Ron, Ron ,ron, ronnie.....
you've not been in home care at all or very long....
spend a few months, years, decades in home care and you will quickly
learn that those who 'rule' are true idiots.
Most nurses are very short sited, tunnel visioned, technicians who are
not capable of thinking globally unless carefully, instructed over a
period of several years..... it is only then, that they realize the
value of OT, but then those in power take the credit themselves.
I have to agree with Vickie here. My biggest beef in home health is with the nurses and they want to put home health aides in. Its all enabling instead of empowering and antithetical to what OT and our sometimes enemies Pt are trying to do.
I've been in home care for20 years.
Am now in a position of true 'power' working for a nurse COO who I went
to school with at twu 20 years ago.
Oooh Vickie I am Jealous. My fantasy job is to work for a long term care insurance company, and keeping their clients happier, safer, healthier, and cheaper by keeping them at home through some OT and other support. I would have money to spend on their clients to help them stay at home longer and avoid the really high dollars of long term care.
Ironically, she didn't have a high enough GPA in undergraduate nursing
school to get into a master's level nursing program.....
so.......she 'slummed' it and got an MBA!
She is listening to me and my ideas......
If there are any OT's out there who would like to join me....... I'm
getting ready to explode this D/FW metroplex area..... 972.226.4761...
Call me.
I can't relocate, but i wish you the best. Do you know about the OT in Louisiana with a Brian Bienvenu or something like that - I think he runs a home health agency. -- Jody
