Almost everything you do in the care business requires a licensure or certification of some type. Assisted living programs and nursing homes generally require licensing. Professionals including nurses and social workers require licensing and credible case managers pursue or require certification.
Group living providers, i.e. adult foster care, community residential group homes, etc. are generally licensed after the development of a comprehensive program, passing a fire safety inspection, and more.
Since the business wants to serve highly vulnerable people and regulatory personnel are charged with working in the best interests of society in general, it surely makes sense that the two work closely together to assure the development of a program that serves the community well. Unfortunately there are some barriers to this happening with the required or expected consistency. When the inspecting personnel from state or local governments do not work well with the care driven entrepreneur, the interests of the public are not served well. After speaking with over 100 regulated entities, we have come up with some suggestions which might help you remove these barriers:
For the Care Entrepreneur:
- Learn what is officially required of you in advance. In this way you know if what is being requested is official or the result of someone’s personal opinion.
- Keep expectations in line with reality. If for whatever reason the licensing process takes a year, be prepared to be involved in a year-long process without grumbling in month 3 about what should be the case in more ideal circumstances.
- Do not interpret recommendations from regulatory personnel as personal attacks. If you are told to submit to a particular rule and it is documented in writing, you simply have to comply or if applicable request a variance. However, nothing is accomplished if you accept it as a personal attack.
- If the process is time consuming appoint someone else to represent you in the pre-licensing process
For Regulatory Personnel:
- Avoid seeking to force your way onto the licensed business. If your department has provided you with approved guidelines with which to do your job, use those guidelines as the measurement for licensing qualification. Behavior to the contrary could result in creating liability for your employer and for you personally. Stick to what is written!
- Try and work with the personality and limitations of the business representative participating in the inspection process. You may be better educated, but the person with whom you are working is an entrepreneur and entrepreneurs are the job creators driving the American economy. They deserve to be respected.
- Never insult your colleagues in the presence of a licensee. Remarks such as: “Ms. Jones is incompetent and will never be allowed to inspect one of my homes” shows incredible unprofessionalism. Such behavior could also result in inter-departmental discipline for you if this pattern of attack makes it back to your superiors and if it floats around the business community you may end up with a really murky personnel file
Assuming that the soon to be licensed business will serve people who cannot serve themselves, we need to get it right from the beginning. If both parties are not committed to try and work together for the greater good of those to be served, getting it right simply will not happen. ACN
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