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WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health)
WashingtonregulationWashington State Department of Health· effective 2023-01-11
What this rule requires your agency to do
- 1Ensure supervision of all patient care, coordination/revision of written patient care policies, evaluation of contractor services, coordination when multiple agencies provide care, and compliance with the plan of care (subsec. (5)).(WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health))
- 2Ensure the director or designee is available during all hours patient care is being provided (subsec. (4)).(WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health))
- 3Document supervision, including RN supervision when using an RN or LPN (ch. 18.79 RCW) and licensed therapist supervision when using a therapy assistant (subsec. (6)).(WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health))
- 4For acute-care patients, conduct monthly supervision of home health aide services (on-site or via telemedicine/audio-only) by a licensed nurse or therapist to evaluate plan-of-care compliance and patient satisfaction (subsec. (7)).(WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health))
- 5Ensure each home health aide reviews the plan of care and written instructions before providing services and when the plan changes, and assists with medications per agency policy and this chapter (subsec. (11)).(WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health))
- 6For maintenance or home-health-aide-only patients, conduct supervision of home health aide services every six months by a licensed nurse or therapist (subsec. (8)); audio-only supervisory visits are limited to established-relationship patients and may not satisfy annual performance evaluation/on-site skills requirements of WAC 246-335-525(16) (subsecs. (9), (10)).(WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health))
- 7Employ a director of clinical services who designates in writing a similarly qualified alternate to act in the director's absence (subsecs. (1), (2)).(WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health))
- 8Ensure the director and alternate each complete a minimum of 10 hours of training annually, with written documentation available upon department request (subsec. (3)).(WAC 246-335-545 — Supervision of home health services (In-Home Services Agencies — Home Health))
Applies to: personal care
Requires a home health licensee to employ a director of clinical services (with a qualified alternate and annual training), ensure availability during care hours and supervision of all patient care, document RN/therapist supervision, and conduct scheduled supervisory visits of home health aide services (monthly for acute care, every six months for maintenance). Framework topic: Supervision / Personnel & Qualifications / Caregiver Training.
Regulatory information, not legal advice — always confirm against the cited official source. Verification reduces error; it does not certify compliance.