Home Health Agency

Director of Patient Care Services Designee

An application is not required for the Director of Patient Care Services Designee, however the requirements for the Director of Patient Care Services and Director of Patient Care Services Designee may be reviewed during an onsite survey.

A State license is required to operate a Home Health Agency (HHA) in California.  A HHA means “A private or public organization, including but not limited to, any partnership, corporation, political subdivision of the state, or other government agency within the state, which provides, or arranges for the provision of, skilled nursing services, to persons in their temporary or permanent place of residence", pursuant to Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 74600(a).

Pursuant to CCR section 74667(b)(7) - The licensee shall, within 10 days, notify the Department in writing of a Change of Director of Patient Care Services including the name and mailing address of the Director of Patient Care Services, the date the Director of Patient Care Services assumed office and a brief description of qualifications and background of the Director of Patient Care Services.

Pursuant to CCR section 74703 (a) Patient care services provided by or arranged for by a home health agency shall be under the direction of a Director of Patient Care Services.  The Director of Patient Care Services shall have overall responsibility for coordination of patient care services and shall be responsible for all activities relevant to the patient care services furnished including the development of personnel qualifications and the assignment of personnel. The Director of Patient Care Services or his or her registered nurse designee shall be available on the premises or immediately accessible by telecommunications during operating hours when patients are receiving services. The Director of Patient Care Services shall devote a sufficient number of hours to assure the quality and adequacy of services provided and supervision of staff.

(b) The Director of Patient Care Services shall qualify for the position by fulfilling the requirements under one of the following categories, unless the individual has been previously approved for such employment by a program flexibility issued for the individual's current position at the home health agency prior to April 1, 1995:

(1) A registered nurse with a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing or other health related field with three years of experience within the last five years in a home health agency, primary care clinic or health facility, at least one year of which was in a supervisory or administrative capacity; or

(2) A registered nurse with four years of experience within the last five years in a home health agency, primary care clinic or health facility, at least one year of which was in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

(c) The Director of Patient Care Services shall have sufficient background knowledge and expertise in clinical decision-making for the patient population of the home health agency to meet the needs of his or her patients, and to contribute to Quality Management review and evaluation.​