Navigating Department of Health (DOH) compliance is critical for employers falling under their regulation, particularly in sectors like homecare that cater to vulnerable populations like the elderly.
At Mobile Health, we provide a comprehensive range of pre-employment and annual employee testing and screening solutions to help employers maintain DOH compliance. More importantly, we can customize our services to meet your specific needs, offer more and easier access to testing for your candidates and employees, and have industry-leading technology that allows you to streamline how pre-employment and annual compliance is handled.
Understanding DOH Compliance Requirements
DOH regulations are designed to maintain high standards of care in various healthcare settings, including homecare services. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to safeguard the health of patients and protect them from potential health risks.
Employers must familiarize themselves with these requirements and incorporate them into their operational policies.
Pre-Employment Health Screening
A robust pre-employment health screening is fundamental to DOH compliance. For new hires, especially in homecare settings, the following pre-employment screenings are typically required:
History and Physical Examination
The first step in the screening process is a thorough history and physical examination. This assessment evaluates a candidate’s overall health and their ability to perform the duties required by the job.
Mobile Health provides comprehensive employee physicals that are completely customizable to fit all testing needs.
Communicable Disease Testing and Prevention
DOH regulation is built to ensure that workers are immune to contagious diseases, which can be highly contagious in environments with vulnerable populations. Taking preventative measures at safeguarding patient health prottects not only the patients, who are often more susceptible due to their age or health status, but also the healthcare environment overall.
When it comes to Tuberculosis testing, this varies depending on medical history and specific job requirements, this could be a QuantiFERON-TB test, PPD test, or TB-risk assessment. Employers will also often test for other communicable diseases such as MMRV. Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella can be prevented by vaccines, and immunity can be tested by titers.
Drug Screening
Drug screening is a crucial part of the hiring process in healthcare due to the high stakes involved in patient care. This practice involves testing biological samples, such as blood or urine, to detect illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription medications. Ensuring that healthcare professionals are free of substance abuse is vital for maintaining a safe environment for patients and upholding the integrity of healthcare services. Drug-free employees are more likely to perform their duties effectively and provide high-quality care.
At Mobile Health, we offer urine-based rapid drug testing, providing quick and reliable results. This specialized service is currently available exclusively at six locations across New York City, making it a convenient option for local healthcare facilities aiming to ensure their staff meet the highest standards of safety and professionalism.
Flu Vaccine
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, poses a significant health risk, particularly in homecare settings where healthcare workers provide services to individuals who are often at higher risk due to age, underlying health conditions, or weakened immune systems. Administering the flu vaccine to healthcare workers is a critical preventative measure.
Annual Compliance for Ongoing Employee Health
To maintain DOH compliance, pre-employment health screenings are not enough. Annual health assessments of employees ensure workplace safety continues indefinitely. The requirements can vary, but generally include:
Annual Physical Examination or Self Health Assessment
Depending on the employer’s policy, this might involve a detailed physical exam or a self-reported health assessment.
Annual Drug Testing
To ensure that employees remain drug-free, as ongoing usage can affect their ability to provide safe care.
Flu Vaccine
Annual flu vaccinations may be required, based on employer policies and the vulnerability of the patient population served.
Employer Responsibilities in DOH Compliance
While Mobile Health offers resources and services to facilitate these health screenings and tests, it’s imperative for employers to directly engage with DOH regulations and ensure that their company policies align with legal requirements. Employers should:
Review and Update Policies Regularly
Healthcare regulations can change. Continuous review and updates of policies are necessary to remain compliant.
Educate Employees
Ensure that all staff understand their roles in compliance, including the importance of their health and safety practices.
Direct Consultation with DOH
Engaging with the Department of Health (DOH) or relevant health authorities is crucial. By maintaining an open dialogue, employers can better understand compliance requirements and receive timely updates on any changes. This proactive communication ensures your organization meets the current standards, and is well-prepared for future regulatory adjustments.
Why Choose Mobile Health?
Mobile Health streamlines pre-employment and annual employee screening by providing flexible, on-site, and clinic-based employee screening solutions that can be fully customized to address specific screening requirements.
Whether you need to schedule comprehensive screenings at your facilities or prefer utilizing any of our 6,500+ nationwide clinics, we tailor our services to fit your needs. This flexibility ensures that your compliance with DOH regulations is efficient, thorough, and tailored to your organization’s unique requirements.
Compliance with DOH regulations is a significant responsibility for employers, especially those providing homecare services.
By implementing thorough pre-employment screenings and maintaining rigorous annual health checks, employers can ensure they meet legal standards and provide safe environments fortheir clients, employees, and patients.
Mobile Health streamlines pre-employment and annual employee screening with customizable screening solutions available on-site or at any of our 6500+ clinics across the country. Contact us today to get started.
