senior care

As local healthcare providers and governments implement phased vaccine distribution, staffing shortage of qualified healthcare workers remains top challenge.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Interim HealthCare Inc., the nation’s leading franchise network of healthcare staffing services and home healthcare, hospice and personal care support, is ready to address the staffing needs required nationwide and be a major part of the COVID-19 distribution. Local Departments of Health are closely monitoring guidance and operations established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. To this effort, local Departments of Health across the U.S. need the skilled resources of staffing professionals to source and place the necessary healthcare providers to administer the vaccine, including those employed by Interim HealthCare.

As the First in Healthcare Staffing™, multiple Interim HealthCare franchise locations are working with state Departments of Health to provide healthcare staffing services for individual state-organized distribution plans, but also with hospitals, pharmacies, skilled nursing homes and senior care communities to reduce long wait times. These professionals are helping to ensure effective vaccine distribution to seniors, essential workers and eventually the full U.S. population.

Shari and Scott LaFavre, owners of Interim HealthCare of Minneapolis, and their team launched a COVID-19 Call Center to provide the local hospital system with immediate and on-demand staffing support. A total of 52 staffing service employees, including registered nurses and assistants, are working full time at the hospital level to provide the necessary coverage to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. This is making it possible for in-house nurses and providers to continue caring for those at the bedside. A successful model, the local Interim HealthCare franchise location expects the staffing needs to continue over the next six months at these current levels and remain steady for all of 2021.

With reports of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses sitting in storage, waiting to reach intended recipients, there is risk that doses could become obsolete as their shelf life expires. With state-level distribution efforts and hospitals already strained for care providers, Interim HealthCare’s workforce is being deployed to serve the U.S. healthcare ecosystem with timely support of trusted healthcare staff experienced in the full continuum of care and vaccine distribution.

“The availability of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are nothing short of medical miracles, although their availability is exciting, the U.S. healthcare ecosystem grapples with how to effectively distribute and staff for the administration of the vaccine,” said Jennifer Sheets, president and CEO of Interim HealthCare Inc. “As a registered nurse, I have seen first-hand the power of life-saving medicine. Our healthcare providers have never backed down from a challenge and they’re stepping up again now for our entire healthcare system and those who need it.”

The Interim HealthCare team of professionals have led the charge in COVID-19 safety by providing temperature screening and testing services to essential businesses, law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, and healthcare facilities nationwide – as well as mobilizing partnership alignment with local medical labs to expedite test results. With the vaccine rollout, Interim HealthCare locations are strategically stationed across the country to help keep those at the highest risk safe and to make available the proper staffing needed to ensure a swift and effective distribution for all of the U.S.

With a more than 20-year history facilitating flu and pneumonia vaccine clinics, local owners are more than prepared to support the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations according to CDC guidelines as we look to return life to some normalcy.

Interim HealthCare is the country’s oldest and longest-standing healthcare franchise organization, and all locations are owned and operated locally in 41 states across the country. Interim Healthcare franchises are also recruiting prospective employees in a range of career paths from LPNs, RNs, therapists and CNAs to paraprofessionals (home health, hospice and support aides). Interim HealthCare extends a warm welcome to those new to the healthcare industry from other sectors of the economy recently impacted by job loss due to the public health emergency including restaurant and food service, hospitality and tourism and retail and other customer service fields.

For more information on Interim HealthCare staffing services, please visit:

https://info.interimhealthcare.com/covid-19-vaccination-staffing

Ethan Sowell of Easley, South Carolina commended for going above and beyond to safely rehabilitate patients at home to protect them from COVID-19 exposure risks.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Interim HealthCare Inc., the nation’s leading franchise network of home care, senior care, home health and hospice and healthcare staffing services, names Ethan Sowell, physical therapist, as the 2020 Therapist of the Year. Ethan earned widespread appreciation from patients and leaders for his commitment to delivering compassionate care and supporting the mission of Interim HealthCare of the Upstate in South Carolina.

This honor is given to an individual who embodies Interim HealthCare’s core values of integrity, compassion and customer focus. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, physical therapy assistants and certified occupational therapy assistants were all eligible to receive the award.

“Ethan consistently receives compliments about his dedication and compassion from his patients and their families,” said Katherine Craven, RN, clinical manager for Interim HealthCare of the Upstate. “We greatly appreciate his professionalism and how he consistently goes above and beyond for his patients and to further the mission of our home healthcare agency.”

Since joining Interim HealthCare of the Upstate in 2018, Ethan quickly advanced to become a therapy lead. He also trains new therapists on home healthcare essentials, the importance of following orthopedic physician protocols, and how to use the company’s electronic medical record system.

Having access to quality physical therapy in the home is a critical part of the care continuum, as it places patients back on the path to improved health and wellness and can avoid rehospitalizations. Therapists also play an integral role on the care team and in helping people to regain their productivity and independence.

This year, Ethan also helped patients and their families navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. This work included ensuring that a patient recovering from a brain tumor removal received the expert rehabilitation needed at home to prevent a transfer to a hospital or long-term care facility with higher infection risks.

“I’m honored to be named as the 2020 Therapist of the Year,” said Ethan Sowell. “I chose home healthcare as the site of my physical therapy work because I get to build more personal relationships to help patients rehabilitate from a wide variety of medical conditions where they feel most comfortable, and where healthcare outcomes are improved. It makes me happy to have a rewarding career that enables me serve and support others.”

To find more future award-winning employees, Interim HealthCare also recently launched its ‘Made for This‘ recruiting campaign. The company seeks employees for a range of career paths from paraprofessionals (home health, hospice and support aides) to LPNs, RNs, therapists, and CNAs. Interim HealthCare is also recruiting service-oriented people wanting to transition from other industries, or those looking to change healthcare careers to gain more flexibility and autonomy.

For more information about working with Interim HealthCare, please visit  https://www.interimhealthcare.com/careers/.

Melissa Williams of Tallahassee, Florida recognized for her compassion toward clients and career committed to caregiving.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Interim HealthCare Inc., the nation’s leading franchise network of home care, senior care, home health and hospice and healthcare staffing services, names Melissa Williams, HHA/CNA, as its 2020 Paraprofessional of the Year. Caring for individuals and families in Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties, Melissa has been a member of the Interim HealthCare of Tallahassee, Florida team since 2015.

This honor is given to an individual that provides exemplary patient care and continuously demonstrates the H.E.A.R.T. qualities of Interim HealthCare paraprofessionals, which stands for Honorable, Experience, Ability, Reliability and Training.

Melissa’s work in Interim Healthcare of Tallahassee’s senior independent living facility consists of seeing 10-13 patients a day for short visits focused on wellness checks and medication reminders. Despite challenges brought on by COVID-19, Melissa has remained dedicated to her work and extremely diligent about keeping her multiple clients safe from infection. In addition, she consistently brainstorms ways for her team to better serve patients, such as being at the forefront of the staff’s adoption of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) and mobile device documentation earlier in the year.

“Melissa has been an excellent home health aide and member of our team for over five years. But over the past eight months especially, she has led the way for our team to improve processes and introduce substantial modifications to our workflows,” said Cynthia Lavoie, owner of Interim HealthCare of Tallahassee. “The efficiency, stamina, and personal interaction that she brings to each of her clients, six days a week, is truly admirable. Her clients genuinely look forward to seeing her every day and we are so lucky to have a caregiver like Melissa on our staff.”

Melissa is also invested in her education and was the first of Interim HealthCare of Tallahassee’s employees to complete the company’s Care Professional Development Path for Aides program, also known as the Pin program. The program allows employees to earn specializations through continuing education to expand their career path in caregiving, earning raises for each level accomplished. Thanks to her credentialed knowledge base, Melissa is the first person assigned to assist new clients in the senior independent living facility, and is also frequently asked to train new staff.

Melissa’s advancement within the company is a testament to Interim HealthCare’s commitment to professional career expansion. First in Home Care®, the home healthcare leader provides advancement opportunities for all caregivers, including aides, with specialized training and professional certifications to improve clinical outcomes, as well as business and operations opportunities. As Melissa found, home healthcare is the perfect setting for those who enjoy serving others, are selfless, trustworthy, lead with compassion, and are dependable workers both independently and as part of care team.

“I’m honored to be chosen as Interim HealthCare’s 2020 Paraprofessional of the Year, and to contribute to improving people’s lives through caregiving,” said Melissa. “The sense of purpose that I feel coming into work every day is what inspires me to keep growing in my career, and I’m grateful to Interim HealthCare for providing the resources to help me achieve that.”

To find more future award-winning employees, Interim HealthCare also recently launched its ‘Made for This‘ recruiting campaign. The company seeks employees for a range of career paths from paraprofessionals (home health, hospice and support aides) to LPNs, RNs, therapists, and CNAs. Interim HealthCare is also recruiting service-oriented people wanting to transition from other industries, or those looking to change healthcare careers to gain more flexibility and autonomy.

For more information about working with Interim HealthCare, please visit https://www.interimhealthcare.com/careers/.

The First in Home Care® company invites compassionate and service-oriented professionals and paraprofessionals to find rewarding home care jobs in their local communities.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Interim HealthCare Inc., the nation’s leading franchise network of home care, senior care, home health and hospice and healthcare staffing services, today announced its ‘Made for This‘ national recruiting campaign to help healthcare workers and other jobseekers with a passion for service to find rewarding careers in the home healthcare industry.

The First in Home Care® and First in Healthcare Staffing™ and consistently innovating, Interim HealthCare locations in 41 states across the country, as well as Saudi Arabia, seek healthcare professionals across the full continuum of care. Interim Healthcare is recruiting employees in a range of career paths from paraprofessionals (home health, hospice and support aides) to LPNs, RNs, therapists, as well as CNAs.

“Despite the economic downturn so many are facing as a result of the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, the home healthcare industry continues to see rapid growth and offers a compelling career opportunity,” said Jennifer Sheets, president and CEO of Interim HealthCare. “We are responding. With so many out of work and looking to explore new careers or professional paths, we see the heart and determination many of these people have as a perfect fit for home care.”

The Interim HealthCare ‘Made For This’ recruiting campaign is open to everyone but is specifically targeting three distinct segments whose shared experiences and motivations make them ideally suited for home healthcare: those looking to change industries but remain in customer-focused environments, those seeking more purpose in their work, and those who may be burnt-out and want to find a renewed sense of purpose within the healthcare industry.

“Interim HealthCare is proud of and committed to quality care and the quality of our professionals across the network,” said Sheets. “Proven by our 54-year track record, we emphasize the importance of employee engagement and professional growth for clinicians and caregivers. Our research shows that those who thrive in this field have inherent traits that determine their predisposition for home care, correlating directly to high quality care.”

These traits include serving others, being selfless, leading with compassionate, being trustworthy and dependable and working independently while part of a care team. The campaign targets three primary persona types:

1. Adjacent Industry Ex-Changers™: People currently working or previously employed in another service-related industry like hospitality, retail, travel, food service or other professions who are ready to make a change and share the common desire to positively impact people’s lives. They don’t need a professional certification or industry experience to qualify and will receive on-the-job training to meet growing care needs.
   
2. Difference Makers: Caregivers can make a difference in the lives of others every day. Interim HealthCare seeks people who want to give back to their communities through purpose-driven and meaningful work. Having a compassionate heart and desire to serve others are the qualities needed to be a great home care aide.  
   
3. Healthcare Lane Changers™: Home healthcare is an ideal transition for those who are currently working in the healthcare industry, both inside and outside of the home, and looking for a rewarding way to use their professional and paraprofessional skills in new ways. By having full visibility into a patient’s health, caregivers get to provide the customized, one-on-one care their patients need to achieve their goals. Every day is different and offers a diverse array of experiences for healthcare professionals to utilize all facets of their clinical skill set and to reconnect them with the passion that brought them to healthcare in the first place.

Notably, all career opportunities with Interim HealthCare open doors for professional career expansion, including specialized training and professional certifications to improve clinical outcomes, as well as business and operations opportunities.

“Home healthcare is a meaningful career choice for many compassionate and mission-oriented individuals that are looking for recession-proof employment,” said Carolina Lobo, executive vice president of people and brand, Interim HealthCare. “This profession also provides a unique level of independence, mobility and schedule flexibility, which can help to balance family and work lives during this time.”

Interim HealthCare is rooted in clinically-based and medically-founded care, proven by the number of registered nurses and licensed medical professionals owning local franchises – over the last 54 years, these celebrated business owners have vested themselves in their communities and fully embraced a servant leadership mentality.

HomeLife Enrichment®, Interim HealthCare’s signature standard of care, encompasses the full continuum of care and caregivers trained to empower patients at home regardless of their age, health or disability. This whole-person standard of care helps individuals live safe and independent lives despite their disease-state or diagnosis including diabetes, dementia, COVID-19 and other chronic conditions.  From high-tech medical care to the medically fragile, Interim HealthCare caregivers are available for senior and personal support services, healthcare staffing for other healthcare brands (which also now includes COVID-19 testing & screening) as well as in-home pediatric care to patients dependent on ventilator technology – the first in-home care provider to do so in the early 1970s.

Those who want to follow along with the ‘Made for This’ campaign, learn more about Interim HealthCare employees’ stories or to share social content should visit its Facebook page, or its recruitment campaign page: www.ihcmadeforthis.com.

For more information on Interim HealthCare and current openings across the country, please visit: www.interimhealthcare.com/careers

Sheets recognized for her continuing efforts to lead the company and the home care industry safely through the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Interim HealthCare Inc., the nation’s leading franchise network of home care, senior care, home health and hospice and healthcare staffing services, announced that its CEO and President, Jennifer Sheets, was recognized as one of Next Avenue’s 2020 Influencers in Aging. The sixth-annual Influencers in Aging list acknowledges the twenty people who have been most influential in their work to push beyond traditional boundaries to change society’s understanding of what it means to grow older.

Jennifer Sheets, together with her team, began preparing for the challenges that COVID-19 would bring early in 2020. She quickly channeled her operational, clinical and government relations expertise and creativity to ensure Interim HealthCare’s clinicians could serve home-bound clients, including seniors and other at-risk patients, without the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19. She also focused on advocating at the federal and state levels for home care clinicians’ “essential” worker status and set up rigorous trainings and new measures to keep staff safe while caring for patients at home.

In addition, Jennifer Sheets led executives across the Caring Brands International organization, the parent company of Interim HealthCare, to ensure clinicians and caregivers had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) like face masks, hand sanitizer, and gowns amid a global shortage. This work extended into spearheading a PPE website available to any home care organization to purchase PPE quickly, at a fair-market price and at scale, so that no one in the industry faced a lack of essential safety equipment. Jennifer Sheets continues to expertly lead Interim HealthCare and its tens of thousands of caregivers across the country to care for patients safely and effectively amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m honored to be recognized with an Influencers in Aging award amid this unprecedented year,” said Jennifer Sheets, CEO and President of Interim HealthCare. “Throughout my healthcare career, I’ve committed my work to impacting people’s lives for the better. I’m proud that our efforts this year have advocated for home care being recognized as an essential service and led to greater awareness and support for the importance of the overall industry in meeting growing healthcare needs.”

Next Avenue, as part of PBS, aims to meet the needs and unleash the potential of older Americans through the power of media. The 2020 Influencers in Aging award recipients represent the fields of health and well-being, caregiving, personal finance, work and purpose, volunteering, arts and entertainment, lifestyle, housing, relationships and technology. Recipients also represent all ages and were eligible to have lived anywhere in the world. To view the full list of 2020 winners, click here.

For more information on Interim HealthCare, please visit www.interimhealthcare.com.