In home health setups, which professional typically serves as the primary Care Manager?
Registered Nurse (RN)
The Registered Nurse (RN) is frequently designated as the primary Care Manager or coordinator within many home health care frameworks. This leadership role involves initiating the initial assessments of the patient’s condition, monitoring subsequent changes in status, managing the results of various medical tests, and ensuring that vital education is provided to both the patient and the family unit. Furthermore, the RN is directly responsible for the crucial task of supervising other credentialed staff members, such as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and various aides like Home Health Aides (HHAs) or Personal Care Aides (PCAs). While a Physical Therapist might assume the care coordinator role specifically if rehabilitation needs are paramount, the RN generally maintains responsibility for broader medical oversight across the entire plan of care.
