Managing occupational health requirements in senior living and skilled nursing facilities can be a balancing act. It’s about ensuring compliance while safeguarding the well-being of your residents. But when you add in the need to keep up with changing regulations and manage a busy workforce, the process can feel overwhelming. That’s where having a trusted partner like Mobile Health to help you navigate occupational health requirements and compliance is crucial.
Why Occupational Health Matters for Senior Living & Skilled Nursing
In senior living and skilled nursing settings, the health of your employees directly affects the care your residents receive. Because your staff is on the front lines, they need to be healthy, well-prepared, and compliant with various regulations to provide safe, effective care. From pre-employment screenings to ongoing compliance exams, occupational health services are essential for preventing the spread of illnesses, reducing workplace accidents, and meeting regulatory requirements.
Occupational health not only keeps your workforce healthy, but also helps mitigate risks, reduces liability, and ensures that your facility meets regulations and standards. By having robust health protocols in place, you can focus on what matters most, delivering high-quality care to your residents.
Key Occupational Health Services for Senior Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities
Managing occupational health doesn’t have to be complicated. With our comprehensive occupational health services, you can streamline your health compliance processes and stay ahead of regulatory requirements. Here are some of the key occupational health services that are critical in senior living and skilled nursing facilities:
1. Pre-Employment Testing
Before an employee steps into a patient care role, pre-employment testing is essential. This helps ensure they’re fit for the physically and emotionally demanding tasks they’ll face daily. Pre-employment tests often include:
- Physical exams: These confirm that potential hires are physically capable of handling their job duties, which may include lifting patients and standing for long periods.
- Drug testing: A drug-free workplace is critical in healthcare, where the stakes are high. Drug tests, ranging from 5-panel to 13-panel, help identify any substance use issues that could impact performance.
- Vaccinations and titers: To protect both staff and residents, vaccinations like MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), flu shots, and hepatitis shots are often required. Titers, which measure immunity levels, are also part of ensuring staff safety.
2. Annual Compliance Exams
Regulatory bodies like OSHA, and federal, state, and local DOHs require annual health screenings to maintain a safe environment for both staff and residents. Annual compliance exams typically include:
- TB testing: Tuberculosis can spread quickly in close living quarters. QuantiFERON-TB tests or PPD skin tests, followed by chest x-rays if necessary, help identify infections early.
- Respirator fit testing: For staff who need to wear respirators during certain procedures, it’s vital to ensure proper fit to protect both employees and residents.
Staying Ahead of Regulatory Requirements
Skilled nursing and senior living facilities are governed by strict regulations from agencies like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and federal, state, and local Departments of Health (DOHs). These regulations are constantly evolving, and staying compliant is essential to avoiding fines, penalties, and potential lawsuits. Mobile Health’s regulatory expertise ensures that your facility is always up-to-date on these changes.
Mobile Health has decades of experience working in the post-acute care space, which includes skilled nursing and senior living facilities. Our team understands the nuances of these regulations and can tailor services to meet your requirements, helping you stay compliant without the headache.
Simplifying Compliance with Technology
Managing employee health compliance is complex, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. Mobile Health offers a Client Portal that centralizes all employee testing. With real-time access to test results, scheduling tools, and compliance documentation, you can track your staff’s compliance status with ease. This not only ensures that you’re meeting regulatory requirements but also reduces the administrative burden on your team.
Candidates and employees also benefit from a Patient Portal where they can schedule their own appointments for pre-employment or annual compliance exams. Whether they need a flu shot, a TB test, or a respirator fit test, employees can book these services when it’s convenient for them, saving valuable time.
Flexibility and Fast Results
In a field where staffing shortages can be a critical issue, getting health screening results quickly is essential. Mobile Health’s fast turnaround time, an average of 1.9 days, helps you onboard new hires faster and fill critical positions without delay.
A Trusted Partner for Compliance
In senior living and skilled nursing, keeping up with occupational health requirements is no small feat. But with a trusted partner like Mobile Health, you don’t have to go it alone. Our comprehensive occupational health services, from pre-employment exams to annual compliance tests, ensures that your facility remains compliant, your staff stays healthy, and your residents receive the highest quality of care.
Interested in learning more? Get in touch with Mobile Health to explore how we can help simplify your occupational health needs.
