By Araceli Gaona
July 2015 | 2015 Summer Newsletter
The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) consumer is the primary employer of their provider and many responsibilities come with that role. One of the key responsibilities an an IHSS consumer is that you instruct and supervise the tasks that you have been approved for. This includes providing the proper tools to the provider and, most importantly, training them on how to do them to ensure safety in the home.
It is important to provide your provider with gloves for house cleaning and personal care tasks. By using gloves, the provider is protected from chemicals used during cleaning and from any blood borne pathogens during personal care tasks.
If your authorized services require help with transfers, repositioning, or lift, tell your provider how much you weigh. Keep in mind that they may not feel comfortable lifting someone at a certain weight. In addition, make sure that you inform and train your provider on any assistive devices that are used, such as a Hoyer lift, slide board, or gait belt. By providing this information, you will be protecting yourself and the provider from possible injury. Encourage the provider to be honest about their limitations to ensure safety for both parties.
In addition, avoid putting the provider in a situation where injury can occur. For example, do not ask the provider to get on a high ladder or an unsafe stepping stool to wash walls or windows. This is not an authorized IHSS service and it is putting the provider at risk for fall or injury, for which you, as the employer, may be liable.
However, in the event that your provider is injured or becomes ill while performing an authorized task, the provider must immediately file a Worker’s Compensation claim with IHSS. The provider will need to explain to IHSS the nature of the injury or illness, as well as when and how it happened. Your provider received written information explaining Worker’s Compensation by mail, along with the Provider Notification that lists the authorized services.
The role of employer involves a lot of responsibilities and it may be an unfamiliar experience to some consumers. Consumers can contact their IHSS social worker or visit the CDSS IHSS webpage to learn more about your responsibilities. The Public Authority Registry staff can assist if you hired a provider from a list sent to you by the Registry. For information, call (408) 350, 3251 and speak with a Registry Specialist.
For any questions on worker’s Compensation, your provider can contact IHSS at (408) 792-1600.
The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) consumer is the primary employer of their provider and many responsibilities come with that role. One of the key responsibilities an an IHSS consumer is that you instruct and supervise the tasks that you have been approved for. This includes providing the proper tools to the provider and, most importantly, training them on how to do them to ensure safety in the home.
It is important to provide your provider with gloves for house cleaning and personal care tasks. By using gloves, the provider is protected from chemicals used during cleaning and from any blood borne pathogens during personal care tasks.
If your authorized services require help with transfers, repositioning, or lift, tell your provider how much you weigh. Keep in mind that they may not feel comfortable lifting someone at a certain weight. In addition, make sure that you inform and train your provider on any assistive devices that are used, such as a Hoyer lift, slide board, or gait belt. By providing this information, you will be protecting yourself and the provider from possible injury. Encourage the provider to be honest about their limitations to ensure safety for both parties.
In addition, avoid putting the provider in a situation where injury can occur. For example, do not ask the provider to get on a high ladder or an unsafe stepping stool to wash walls or windows. This is not an authorized IHSS service and it is putting the provider at risk for fall or injury, for which you, as the employer, may be liable.
However, in the event that your provider is injured or becomes ill while performing an authorized task, the provider must immediately file a Worker’s Compensation claim with IHSS. The provider will need to explain to IHSS the nature of the injury or illness, as well as when and how it happened. Your provider received written information explaining Worker’s Compensation by mail, along with the Provider Notification that lists the authorized services.
The role of employer involves a lot of responsibilities and it may be an unfamiliar experience to some consumers. Consumers can contact their IHSS social worker or visit the CDSS IHSS webpage to learn more about your responsibilities. The Public Authority Registry staff can assist if you hired a provider from a list sent to you by the Registry. For information, call (408) 350, 3251 and speak with a Registry Specialist.
For any questions on worker’s Compensation, your provider can contact IHSS at (408) 792-1600.