SOCIAL SERVICE 39-02-005

PRIVATE DUTY COMPANION

POLICY STATEMENT.

The Division of Veterans Healthcare Services requires that each of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes (VMH) establish protocols affording residents the opportunity to employ a Private Duty Companion (PDC) to assist with the provision of healthcare services.

PURPOSE.

This policy and procedure shall serve to ensure that New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes coordinate with residents and/or their families in defining the duties of a Private Duty Companion hired to provide care and assistance for residents.

DEFINITION.

PRIVATE DUTY COMPANION - an individual contracted by the family for employment. Their function is to act as a companion, interacting with the resident, providing activities, assisting with meal set-up, and transporting the resident throughout the facility and grounds. This individual will be considered as an approved family visitor, and will provide services as would be appropriate if these services were provided by a family member or a volunteer.

PROCEDURE.

A. Social Services:

1. The duties and responsibilities of a Private Duty Companion shall be part of the rules that are discussed with the resident and family representatives by the Social Services and Nursing Departments, and agreed to by the resident and/or family upon admission.

a. The VMH shall recommend/suggest that the resident/family/representative obtain references of previous employment, or obtain written assurances or references, from the Private Duty Companion.

2. The resident and/or family are responsible to contract with outside agencies or an individual for Private Duty Companion services.

3. If employed through an outside agency, the resident and/or family representative will be informed of the required performance of a criminal background check.

4. The contracted agency or individual must provide documentation to the Veterans Memorial Home that the companion has had a negative tuberculin PPD test within one year. A positive PPD test result would require the companion have a follow up radiology study, with written results provided to the Veterans Memorial Home.

5. The resident and/or family member must enter into a written agreement with the Private Duty Companion, which defines the role and responsibilities of the companion. A copy of the agreement will be maintained in the resident’s Medical Record, in the section entitled “Interdisciplinary Team Notes.”

SOCIAL SERVICE 39-02-005

-2-

PRIVATE DUTY COMPANION

6. The resident, family member or assigned resident representative is responsible for payment to the Private Duty Companion for services rendered, as well as any obligations for Social Security, taxes, or Worker’s Compensation costs.

7. The family must register the Private Duty Companion with the Nursing Services Department prior to the start of duty.

8. The companion shall wear an appropriate identification badge, utilize the employee parking area, and have access to meals in accordance with the VMH policy for purchasing of meals.

9. The Private Duty Companion, at the end of their assigned duty, shall report any

concerns or unusual incidents, and their activities with the resident, to the charge

nurse.

10. The Private Duty Companion will not provide services to the resident beyond the

written agreement authorized by the family and endorsed by the VMH.

11. The VMH reserves the right to terminate any Private Duty Companion’s duty status and notify the family of due cause. Any suspected illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate agency, local, state or federal authorities.

Note: Any monetary loss due to termination is the responsibility of the family.

Original: January1999

Revised: April 1999

Revised: January 2007