7 Ways That Home Care Scheduling Software Supports Agencies

Home care software solutions offer agencies numerous benefits, including:

#1 Less Admin Work

Your back office team can use scheduling software to set up shifts in minutes. Plus, with automated sharing of schedules and a job board for filling new shifts, they can cut down on time-consuming back-and-forth emails.

The right home care software solution can save your team hours each week. They can then use this time for more important tasks, such as onboarding new patients or checking care quality. And you won't have to hire additional back office staff just because your patient list is growing.

#2 More Efficient Schedules

Home healthcare software won't just save your back-office team time. You'll also cut down on the time your caregivers spend traveling between visit locations, waiting for patient information and more.

More efficient scheduling will help you reduce your per-service labor costs and make the most of your existing home health team. 

#3 Better Client-Caregiver Matching

Finding the right caregiver for each client is key to improving patient satisfaction and care outcomes. Fortunately, scheduling software makes matching easy.

You'll be able to filter your staff based on location, qualifications, skills and more to create an approved caregiver list for each patient. Auto-generated compliance reports and document expiry notifications will ensure that you never select an inappropriate team member. And your clients can even use the patient-facing portal of your home health software to set their preferred caregivers.

From there, you can allow approved caregivers to bid on the client’s shifts. Alternatively, create the schedule yourself by dragging and dropping your preferred team member from the list of available and approved caregivers.

#4 A Higher Quality of Care

Your home care software's advanced rostering and care plan management features will ensure you schedule the services each patient needs, at a time and a place that works for them.

But that's not the only way home health care software improves care quality. The accompanying app for caregivers will provide your team with all the patient information they need, so they can make better care decisions.

And, with customizable nursing and progress note templates built into your scheduling software, you can trust that your team’s visit records will meet quality standards.

#5 Happier Staff

It's not just your home health agency that benefits from home care software solutions. Your caregivers will also find that they are better supported and have greater control over their work-life balance.

They'll be able to use the mobile app to set their availability and bid on new shifts. In this way, they can create a work schedule that fits around their life, whether they have childcare responsibilities or are studying part-time.

You'll benefit from an engaged workforce that is less likely to experience caregiver burnout or look for a different role.

#6 Improved Accounting and Billing

Payroll, time-tracking, billing, expenses: accounting can be complex for home care agencies. Scheduling software will simplify your accounting by creating accurate digital records that you can export with the click of a button.

Ask your staff to clock in and out via the mobile caregiver app and add proof of expenses to each shift record. You'll be able to auto-generate correct invoices and payroll. When it comes to tax season, you'll have an error-free record.

#7 Simplified Compliance

Compliance in home care is challenging. Your team needs to access protected patient information on the go and via their own, potentially insecure, devices.

HIPAA-compliant scheduling software will help you ensure that patient information is secure. It will only share patient details with scheduled staff members, and it will keep all documents in the password-protected app. You'll be able to update and remove access whenever you need to.

Tips and Tricks for Making the Most of Your Home Care Software Solution

Home health care software should make your work easier, not harder. Make sure you follow these tips to see the biggest benefits:

Build Detailed Staff and Patient Profiles

The more information included in your staff and patient profiles, the more effective the filters will be in your care home management software. Matching clients and caregivers will become much easier.

Use Push Notifications to Alert Caregivers of New Shifts

Use automated push notifications to prompt staff to open their scheduling software and bid on new shifts. This will help you more quickly find someone to cover a shift when a staff member calls in sick and add new patients to the weekly schedule.

Enable GPS Verification and Auto-Approval of Time Logs

With GPS verification of time logs, you'll be able to trust that your service records are correct. You'll have the electronic visit verification that you need for Medicare compliance. And, by enabling your home health scheduling software to auto-approve time logs within a set distance, you'll reduce your workload.

Create Customized Document Templates 

Document templates help your team members quickly add and read client files. You can include personalized fields for tracking progress toward client goals and ensuring that key information isn’t overlooked. 

Simplify Scheduling with Home Health Software

ShiftCare's secure home care software makes scheduling easy. You can set up group and recurring shifts and invite approved caregivers to bid on new shifts. The mobile app allows your care team to set their availability and check their schedules on the go. And your clients can request additional services and set their preferred caregivers via ShiftCare Connect.

Discover the benefits of home care scheduling apps. Try ShiftCare for free.