In - Service

Sleeping on duty, and its consequences for you as an employee. Sleeping on the job is against standard company policy, it is also detrimental to the health of our clients and your trustworthiness as a staff member. Our clients have needs that must be addressed at all given hours of the day, which is why we staff, train, and cooperate with our team to ensure these needs are met. Texas Health and Human Services requires all staff members of its licensed programs to remain awake, and alert during their shift, no matter the time of day of the occurring shift. This means both group home and day habilitation staff should remain awake and alert during their shift. Ngozi Place HCS requires staff to remain awake during their shift. Not only to protect our clients, but to also be proactive about the quality of life of our clients. Ngozi Place HCS ensures the safety and comfort of our clients, and the integrity of its team members. Our team members are only second to the needs of our clients. It is why we equip staff with both physical and mental tools to perform their jobs to the best of their ability. This is why we alert staff prior to hiring, and throughout the duration of their tenure at Ngozi Place about the importance of responsiblity of self and for our clients. Please note, that any staff member found sleeping on the clock will be immediately disciplined by being removed from the schedule for (5) business days. If the problem occurs again within a (6) month time frame, the staff member will be immediately terminated. Please be aware that surrounding circumstances can lead to further disciplinary actions. Including but not limited to; immediate termination, charged with medicaid fraud, and abuse or neglect depending on the severity of the situation.

Mobile Banking & Security

Make sure you are protecting yourself and our clients from interruption of services!

Correcting Clock Errors

Checkbox

The Ngozi Place Admin team implemented the ADP Run clock in system to reduce time errors. We also implemented a form to catch time errors. Unfortunately, there has been issues with accurate submissions on both systems. To further reduce errors we are introducing a cut off time for time submissions. Please note; Clocking in and out is the individual responsibility of the staff. Misuse of time records and claiming time not worked is medicaid fraud and negligent towards our clients. If you have an error with clocking in and out, do not wait until you have accumulated 3 - 7 or more clock in errors and then submit all of them at once. Every member of the Ngozi Place staff who is on hourly pay is required to clock in and out, no exceptions. Please note that each pay period begins at 12AM Sunday morning and ends 13 days later at 11:59PM Saturday night. The current policy states that errors made on our part will be paid within (48) hours of pay check disbursement. This policy is still in effect, with the addendum that all time form submissions must occur by Monday 5PM following the ending of a pay period to be eligible to be paid on the same pay period for which the error occurred. Any submissions made after Monday, 5PM of the pay period will not be eligible for payment until the following pay cycle.

I have read the in - service above.

Name

First Name

Last Name

In - Service, 22nd of June, 2021.

Nutrition | Nursing | Medication | Visiting | No Light Duty | Focused Software & Tablet Use

Read this in - service and provide your electronic signature at the bottom.

Healthy Nutrition plays a key factor in the health of our clients. Nutrition affects behavior and the effectiveness of medication. As staff you should cook nutritionally safe and adequate meals that meet the individual’s needs.

Knowing the clients you work nutritional needs is important to their health and comfort.

All clients should have their water intake increased, as it helps prevent dehydration, improves medication function, and bowel movements.
Add more plant protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to the clients meals. (These items are always included in our grocery delivery.)
Remove the bone(s) from meat before feeding to clients. Tough cuts of meat should be chopped into small pieces are pureed according to the need of the client.
Be mindful of clients with specific dietary needs like Celiac Disease, which requires gluten free food. Dairy products are strictly forbidden for our clients with Celiac Disease as it is detrimental to the lining of the stomach. ( Many foods may contain gluten including seasoning packets and etc. ) Give only vegetables and meat if unsure of the presence of gluten in food.

If the following questions or situations arises during your shift, you as the staff member should report immediately to the Nurse before making any further decisions.

Does the client need to be transported to the Emergency Department or call 911?
Is the client refusing medications?
Does the client show signs of new skin issues? (broken skin, laceration, abrasion, bruises, blisterrash, redness, rash, etc.)
Has the client fallen? (Report to Nurse even if there is no visible signs of injury)
Is the client nauseous or vomiting?
Does the client have an temperature greater than 100.6?
Is the client coughing? (Report with or without phlegm)
Are the clients eyes red, crusty, or both?
Is the client experiencing diarrhea, watery stool, or bowel movements containing blood?
Has the client shown loss of, or change of appetite?
Is the client experiencing nasal drainage?
Report seizures of any kind* (Staff should follow seizure procedures and time the length of the seizure as well.)
Is the client displaying abnormal breathing or wheezing?
Is the client showing signs of pressure injuries like bed sores and etc?
Is the client blood sugars outside parameters? (Too low or too high)
Is the client showing signs and symptoms of discomfort?
Call the Nurse PRIOR to administering prn (as needed) medication
Is the client blood pressure outside of parameters? (Too low or too high)
Any other conditions that may require the attention of the Nurse. (Usually regards questions on medication, bodily changes, and nutrition.)

Notify nurse at the number listed within the home. If you are unable to reach Nurse within (30) minutes of first contact, follow the chain of command by contacting the home manager first, then the program director if you cannot reach the manager.

Reporting Skin Alterations

Report any of the following changes to client skin to the Nurse;

Bruises, Blisters, or Rash.
Swelling, Redness (Or increased temperature in afflicted area)
Wounds (abrasions, lacerations, open area, increased size of wound)
Changes in feel of skin tissue (ex. heels may feel “mushy”)
Extremely dry / crusty - like areas of the skin.
For Overweight Clients:
- Check under folds of skin for irritation or redness, and keep skin dry.

Call the Nurse (2) times if No answer the first time, send text message saying “Please call ASAP”

Safe medication Administration

Avoid distractions:

Quiet environment by avoiding conversation with anyone, turn off your cell phone, tv, and radio or anything that could distract you from administering medication.
Allow only the client for who you are giving medication to in the med area. You should only have that client’s medication box out. DO NOT ADMINISTER MEDS FROM MEMORY
Triple Check the MAR and Medication label to ensure you are giving the correct meds. Perform the (7) Rights of Medication.
1. - The right patient
  - The right medication (drug)
  - The right dose
  - The right route
  - The right time
  - The right reason
  - The right documentation
Avoid borrowing medications in any manner.
Notify nurse if medication is unavailable, look different then the last medication administration or if you are unsure whether to give (for any reason)

NOTIFY NURSE IF MEDICATION IS MISSING OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS !!!!

CONTACT NUMBER FOR NURSE IS LISTED WITHIN EACH LOCATION

Visiting, or hanging out on the clock.

Leaving the clients unattended is considered neglect and punishable of law.

At no time is it acceptable for Staff to have personal visitors of any kind (including Ngozi Place employees on or off duty). This is especially prevalent at the Nantucket duplexes.

At no time should staff leave clients unattended to visit each other during shifts. Due to the nature of this violation, you can and will be terminated at the discretion of our Director for the first infraction.

The reasons are you being negligible towards our clients, and also “riding the clock” which means you are not performing your duties and will be treated as medicaid fraud. We do not monitor your activity outside of Ngozi Place. However, you will be scrutinized for your behavior adjacent to Ngozi Place to ensure of the integrity of our program and safety of our clients.

No light duty positions

This serves as a reminder that Ngozi Place HCS program has no light duty positions. All positions in some form requires the ability to lift, bend, stoop, or maneuver objects or clients to ensure their safety. Although not all clients are immobilized, they all require assistance in dire situations that warrants the ability to think, and respond accordingly.

Some examples include but not limited to, transportation in which you may need to place clients in the vehicle. Assisting a client to their feet after a fall. Maneuvering clients in and out of the shower. Finally, changing non - ambulatory clients and doing body shifts to prevent injury. All of these motions require a moderate amount of physical ability, even with the assistance of things like the gait belt or hoyer lift.

focused software & tablet Use

To improve the flow of our work, we have acquired Focused Software. This software will be used to manage client information, service delivery logs, and more. To ensure staff is able to effectively record information in Focused Software, we are providing a tablet for each facility. These tablets will have limited use, if any at all, for anything that is not related to the needs of the client or program.

Focused Software

Ngozi Place is utilizing Focused Software to transition from physical paper to digital logging to reduce clutter and loss of documentation.

You will need to use this software to document Service Delivery Logs, appointment information, and other notations.

Use the information below to access this software using the equipment provided at your working location.

Search “Focused Software” on the home equipment’s internet browser. Or Click Here
Select "Direct Care” login at the bottom of the website’s home page.

If you have difficulties, please contact Case Manager at Ashlee McKinney ashleem@ngoziplace.com

Using Focused will be required of all staff to ensure continuity of services. Failure to produce your Service Delivery Logs through Focused will result in disciplinary actions effective 09/13/2021.