As the demand for skilled home care has grown over time, so have the number of home-care centres. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 1.1 million licensed home care workers. The vast majority of these workers live in Massachusetts. It is no surprise then that the state’s Department of Licensing regulates home care centres – with over 900 individual establishments to oversee.
In order to operate as a home-care centre, a home care worker must obtain a valid license from the state of Massachusetts. Applicants can visit the Licensing and Certification Department’s website to apply. Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the department. The Licensing and Certification office will notify an applicant of their status within four weeks. Once approved, the applicant can now begin working at their new home care centre.
Licensing does not just cover what employers can legally hire. It also covers employees who work in a home care centre. These employees must also meet state and federal employment requirements. To ensure a safe workplace, all workers in a home care centre must undergo a background check. This is typically done during the pre-hire phase but can also be done after an employee has worked for a while.
Another of the many Advantages of Home Care Centre in Massachusetts is the on-the-job training available to workers. Many centre workers have obtained certification or training through the program administered by the National Home Care Association. For example, those who work in home health care are required to complete a three-credit course in English called EHAC (English Health Assessment and Chronic Conditions). Those who work in home care centres must also complete a course in social and community services. Both of these classes help workers learn about their specific area of responsibility.
Workers can also get assistance from their centre’s professional staff. They include licensed and registered nurses, therapists, home care assistants, and others. The staff also includes a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and physician. They assist workers with exercises designed to improve muscle strength and mobility, as well as relaxation techniques. They also give information on what they can do to help their patients improve their self-care.
For families that are considering moving to Massachusetts, the advantages of having a home-care centre near their new home are considerable. It can be the solution that even the most elderly family members could never have dreamed of having. Although moving can be stressful, having a home-care centre nearby will make the entire process much easier.
Opening A Home Care Business
At first glance, starting a home care business may seem like a lot of hard work and that is why many people do not venture beyond their homes. In fact this is far from true. It is no more difficult to start a home care business than it is to start any other small or large business. You do however have to educate yourself on the different laws governing home care in your particular state. It is also important to remember that a home care license is not required to care for the elderly in your home but it certainly does help.
The first step to starting a home care business are very simple. You do need to have a list of everything that you will be caring for and how you will go about doing so. In the beginning this will require some research into the needs of the elderly in your area. In most instances it will also require that you find out if there are already other companies that deal with taking care of these types of individuals. Once you have all the facts you can then get started on your business plan.. Find about how do I get a home care license in Massachusetts.
The next thing to consider is finding a place to open your business. Many times people will look for a private office space to use as their working location. This can range anywhere from a local hotel room to an apartment building. Keep in mind however that in order to secure an office space it is imperative that you have valid medical insurance. That being said there are many care givers out there that are not properly insured, which means they could run the risk of turning away a potential client. It is therefore vital to have the proper insurance before approaching anyone about providing care.