The first-of-its-kind certification program sets a new standard for recognizing core competencies in the effective, efficient, and outcome-driven delivery of home-based care

WellSky, a leading health and community care technology company, today announced a new certification for clinical teams designed to indicate expertise in the provision of Medicare Certified Home Health. The Clinical Care Specialist-Home Health (CCS-HH) certification will be the gold standard measurement of competency for the home health industry that captures the core expertise and knowledge required to be successful in advancing clinical practice.

The practice of home healthcare delivery has evolved tremendously in a short time. In just the past five years, clinicians have had to adapt to new technologies, a more complex payment system, and a highly involved regulatory structure. There is no standardized measure of a provider’s current expertise in the core competencies of clinical practice in today’s environment. The CCS-HH certification fills a much-needed gap in ensuring providers are knowledgeable of the most up-to-date best practices of home health.

WellSky clinical experts developed the CCS-HH certification in partnership with leading industry stakeholders and care providers across the nation, placing the highest standards of rigor on its development through a thorough analysis of advanced clinical positions in the industry. A committee of experts was commissioned to create examination items that capture the core competencies of clinical home healthcare and its significance under the certified home health benefit. Learning and preparatory materials developed by WellSky will equip providers for examination success and help them achieve certified status.

“We were honored to collaborate with WellSky during the creation of this new certification that will finally allow for a recognized specialty in home health practice,” said David Kerns, CEO of The LTM Group. “The individuals completing the certification and the agencies in which they work will benefit from an advanced understanding of all aspects of clinical care in home health, including regulatory, financial, and value-based drivers of care provision. Clinical success is so much more than the interventions provided in a single visit, and we are excited about this new care standard that ultimately will result in a new level of organizational effectiveness and improved patient outcomes.”

The comprehensive learning track will cover a wide variety of competencies, including care management, federal regulatory compliance, integration of data analytics into patient care, financial advocacy, and quality improvement. After passing a proctored exam, professionals will earn the CCS-HH certification—a status that will be recognized for three years. Recertification opportunities thereafter will help ensure certified professionals stay up to date on the rapidly changing landscape of home healthcare.

“Clinical excellence in home health is vital to our industry. Agency success is rooted in clinical teams that are better equipped to meet the diverse needs of the patients they serve and to navigate the regulatory and ethical principles that govern home healthcare,” said Tim Ashe, chief clinical officer at WellSky. “We believe this new certification opens doors to enhanced skills and knowledge, increased professional credibility, and higher standards of care.”

To learn more about the Clinical Care Specialist certification, visit wellsky.com.

About WellSky^®

WellSky is one of America’s largest and most innovative healthcare technology companies leading the movement for intelligent, coordinated care. Our proven software, analytics, and services power better outcomes and lower costs for stakeholders across the health and community care continuum. In today’s value-based care environment, WellSky helps providers, payers, health systems, and community organizations scale processes, improve collaboration for growth, harness the power of data analytics, and achieve better outcomes by further connecting clinical and social care. WellSky serves more than 20,000 client sites — including the largest hospital systems, blood banks, cell therapy labs, home health, and hospice franchises, post-acute providers, government agencies, and human services organizations. Informed by more than 40 years of providing software and expertise, WellSky anticipates clients’ needs and innovates relentlessly to build healthy, thriving communities. For more information, visit wellsky.com.

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