By Shannin Prather
April 2016 | 2016 Spring Newsletter
As an IHSS consumer, you employ your Independent Provider (IP). As an employer, you have certain responsibilities in order to maintain an effective and stable working relationship with your IPs. To help you in your role as an employer, here is a list of helpful tips on how to effectively manage your responsibilities.
- Clear communication will help both you and your potential care provider to have a mutual understanding of expectations, before they start working for you. During the interview process, clearly state your needs and expectations. Listen and address any concerns and questions that the IP may have.
- Establish a mutually agreeable work schedule.
- Help a new IPs learn your preferences or routines; teach them what you expect. Provide appropriate orientation and training to your new IP. Review the tasks you have been authorized for by IHSS, as well as how and when you prefer them to be completed. Note: you should never ask an IP to perform a task that has not been authorized by IHSS.
- Make it easier to review and sign timesheets: track the hours your IPs work each day. You can use a calendar to note the times that each IP begins and ends their work day.
- Help each IP to be paid in a timely manner: review timesheets for each of your IPs to ensure accuracy, and sign timecards promptly.
- If an IP ceases to work for you, contact IHSS to request a Provider Changes Form. This form will remove an IP from your case. This is especially important now that overtime rules are in effect.
Being a responsible employer is a skill that is developed over time. Allow yourself time to hone your management, training, and supervising style. Communicate openly with your care provider about your expectations, and ask clearly for what you want, Praise your IP for their efforts on your behalf, and gently correct them when necessary. Listen to their concerns as well, and you will build a strong relationship.
If you need assistance to find or hire a new care provider, please contact the Public Authority Registry, call (408) 350-3251.
As an IHSS consumer, you employ your Independent Provider (IP). As an employer, you have certain responsibilities in order to maintain an effective and stable working relationship with your IPs. To help you in your role as an employer, here is a list of helpful tips on how to effectively manage your responsibilities.
- Clear communication will help both you and your potential care provider to have a mutual understanding of expectations, before they start working for you. During the interview process, clearly state your needs and expectations. Listen and address any concerns and questions that the IP may have.
- To begin the payroll process when you hire a new IP, you (or your authorized representative) must contact IHSS and request a Recipient Designation of Provider Form (SOC 426A). This form must be completed and returned to IHSS for timesheets to be sent to the IP. When calling IHSS, be aware long hold times are common.
- To begin the payroll process when you hire a new IP, you (or your authorized representative) must contact IHSS and request a Recipient Designation of Provider Form (SOC 426A). This form must be completed and returned to IHSS for timesheets to be sent to the IP. When calling IHSS, be aware long hold times are common.
- Establish a mutually agreeable work schedule.
- Help a new IPs learn your preferences or routines; teach them what you expect. Provide appropriate orientation and training to your new IP. Review the tasks you have been authorized for by IHSS, as well as how and when you prefer them to be completed. Note: you should never ask an IP to perform a task that has not been authorized by IHSS.
- Make it easier to review and sign timesheets: track the hours your IPs work each day. You can use a calendar to note the times that each IP begins and ends their work day.
- Help each IP to be paid in a timely manner: review timesheets for each of your IPs to ensure accuracy, and sign timecards promptly.
- If an IP ceases to work for you, contact IHSS to request a Provider Changes Form. This form will remove an IP from your case. This is especially important now that overtime rules are in effect.
Being a responsible employer is a skill that is developed over time. Allow yourself time to hone your management, training, and supervising style. Communicate openly with your care provider about your expectations, and ask clearly for what you want, Praise your IP for their efforts on your behalf, and gently correct them when necessary. Listen to their concerns as well, and you will build a strong relationship.
If you need assistance to find or hire a new care provider, please contact the Public Authority Registry, call (408) 350-3251.