Health Counseling Services (HCS) nurse consultants are independent contractors. Each registered nurse develops his or her own private nursing practice. Liability insurance is each consultant's responsibility. HCS contracts with provider agencies for nursing consultation services and then offers an assignment to the nurse consultant. Each contract has a nurse consultant who makes on-site visits, takes telephone calls, and focuses on the health care needs of the people at that specific site.
HCS contract managers (full-time employees) are available to the nurse consultant by telephone to discuss nursing care issues, provide resources, secure information about regulations, or resolve problems. The nurse consultant may schedule a meeting with an HCS contract manager or use our office library to review or check out materials. A monthly educational meeting for nurse consultants held at our office provides continuing education credits. HCS also keeps nurse consultants informed of regulation changes and update services with a monthly newsletter. HCS' support of the nurse consultant helps to ensure that each provider agency has a competent, professional nurse, who is afforded the opportunity to make a long-term commitment to the people each agency serves.
At all times, provider organizations not only have the services of the independent nurse consultant, but also an HCS contract manager. Contract managers are registered nurses experienced in community nursing, home health care, short-term and long-term care, and health care of special needs populations. Contract managers' expertise also include creating and teaching training programs, as well as developing policies and procedures.
HCS' nursing consultation services to provider agencies also include:
- 24-hour telephone call coverage.
- Manuals specifying policies and procedures for medication administration and health care delivered by unlicensed staff.
- Originals of required health care forms.
- Discounted fees for selected training courses for agency staff.