RN/QP visitation

Qualified professional (QP): Person who provides training, supervision and evaluation of an agency’s PCA workers and the services they deliver. A QP performs the following duties:

• Training, supervision and evaluation of PCA workers
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of PCA services.
QP visit: A visit by the QP to oversee the delivery of PCA services.

Responsible party (RP): A person who is age 18 or older and capable of providing the support necessary to help a person receiving PCA services to live in the community when the person is assessed as unable to direct their own care

Overview:

A PCA provider agency must provide QP services for all PCA workers and people who receive services. All PCA workers must be supervised by a QP.

If a person has a responsible party (RP), the RP is not required to be present at QP visits.

Covered services

QP services include care planning, training and supervision and evaluation.

Care planning
Within the first week of starting services:

• Traditional PCA: The QP must develop a care plan with the person and RP (if applicable)
• PCA Choice: The person and RP (if applicable) must develop a care plan, with support from the QP if desired.
The QP, person and RP (if applicable) should communicate regularly to ensure the PCA services and service delivery methods continue to meet the person’s needs. They can revise the care plan as necessary. For more information, see PCA Manual – Care plan.

Training

The QP must provide training to PCA workers about:

• Individual needs of the person
• Specific needs of the person if they are ventilator-dependent (see PCA Manual – Ventilator support and training)
• New procedures and/or equipment
• Changes to the person’s care plan
• Additional training based on the person’s needs and the PCA worker’s ability to meet those needs.
Supervision and evaluation
Workers
The QP must supervise and evaluate PCA workers to ensure the workers:

• Are knowledgeable about the person’s care plan before they deliver services
• Have the competency to provide required services
• Can identify conditions when they should notify the QP, the person’s health care provider or RP, including conditions when immediate notification is required.
Effectiveness of services
The QP must oversee the delivery and evaluate the effectiveness of PCA services, including:

• Satisfaction of the person and RP (if applicable) with services
• Person’s month-to-month plan for using services
• How well services are meeting the person’s needs and goals, as stated in their care plan
• Documentation of PCA services provided.