Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-37-.08 - Administrator

(1) Each hospice must have a qualified administrator, designated by the governing body, who must be responsible for the ongoing and day-to-day operation of the hospice.

(2) The hospice administrator must be either a Georgia-licensed health care professional, who has at least one year of supervisory or management experience in a hospice setting or an individual with education, training and experience in health services administration and at least two years of supervisory or management experience in a hospice setting. The term, licensed health care professional, includes the following who hold Georgia licenses: physicians, nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants, registered professional nurses, clinical social workers, physical therapists and psychologists, but does not include practical nurses.

(3) The hospice administrator must ensure that the hospice:

(a) Implements policies and procedures for the provision of hospice care and palliative care to persons with advanced and progressive diseases, if it offers such services, which have been developed with interdisciplinary participation from the hospice care team;

(b) Employs qualified staff, including physicians, practitioners, nurses, social workers, clergy, volunteers, or other persons providing services at the hospice;

(c) Has implemented policies and procedures related to the management, operation, and evaluation of the overall performance of the hospice;

(d) Has a qualified director of nursing services along with sufficient qualified staff to meet the needs of patients admitted for hospice care and palliative care, if offered to persons with advanced and progressive diseases but who have not been determined to be terminally ill, and as outlined in the patients' plans of care;

(e) Provides an orientation, training, and supervision program for every employee and volunteer that addresses hospice care and palliative care for persons with advanced and progressive diseases, when offered, and the performance of the specific job to which the employee or volunteer is assigned;

(f) Ensures that the staff members complete their annual training and education program; and

(g) Ensures that there are effective mechanisms to facilitate communication among the hospice staff, hospice care team, and patients, their family units, and their legal guardians, if any.

(4) The hospice administrator shall comply with the Rules and Regulations for Criminal Background Checks, Chapter 111-8-12, as applicable.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-37-.08

O.C.G.A. §§ 31-7-170 et seq., 31-7-350 et seq.

Original Rule entitled "Administrator" adopted. F. May 26, 2015; eff. June 15, 2015. Amended: F. Feb. 28, 2020; eff. Mar. 19, 2020.