Our Preceptor Program
Our preceptor program was built with you in mind.
Precepting is vital to promoting the competence, confidence and safety of new nurses in a new environment. Which is why Family First created our own Preceptor Program to ensure we continue to push homecare to its highest level of quality for our patients possible.
The Importance of Preceptorship
Training the next generation of homecare excellence.
At Family First, our patients, caregivers, and nurses are family – and we treat them as such. Which is why Family First enrolls all newly graduated nurses beginning their careers in homecare into our Preceptor Program – an innovative model of preceptorship/mentorship that allows new nurses to learn from and shadow experts in the field, helping to meet the unique needs of homecare nurses to be successful with their patients and provide the highest quality care.
We don’t give our preceptees a timeframe, ensuring that when they go on a case independently, they are going because they are 100% comfortable and confident in their knowledge and skills to be able to care for each specific patient.
Our Preceptors
Preceptors have the unique opportunity to have a profound impact on new graduate nurse’s introduction to the homecare field and their career development.
Our Mentees
Preceptees have the opportunity to grow their time management, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning skills, imperative skills for safe and effective patient care.
Our Parents
Family First parents and caregivers quickly realize the value of our Preceptor Program when they no longer have issues with care that they did with their former homecare agency.
Our Patients
The Family First Preceptor Program was specifically built with our patients in mind to ensure they are always receiving the highest, most innovative quality of care.
Why Our Program Sets Us Apart
Because getting – and keeping – them home is crucial.
- Reduce rate of readmission. We are proud to have the lowest readmission rate of any pediatric home healthcare service in Florida and at many of our other homecare locations throughout the nation. Our preceptor program is responsible for just that.
- Continuity & companionship. Part of the healing process is companionship. Our preceptor program trains our nurses to be able to provide that to your loved ones consistently and compassionately.
- Emotional intelligence & privacy sensitivity. We understand that your home is your sanctuary. We train to use discretion in understanding the space or privacy necessary for each family to engage in typical discussion and other dynamics involved in the development of family bonds.
- Consistent quality of care. It can be really frustrating when one caregiver is exceptional, then the next performs only basic tasks. Thanks to our Preceptor Program, we work hard to ensure this never happens.
Core Program Components
A program with a solid home foundation.
Communication
Confusion in communication due to multiple caregivers caring for one client can be really stressful. We train to welcome and seek feedback and opportunities to develop the plan for care or other priorities collaboratively to avoid this.
Punctuality
We know our clients are on strict schedules and having a caregiver show up late means they could be left unattended. We train to ensure we avoid this.
Holistic Training
Our nurses are trained for the full extent of their assigned patients’ needs. Our program ensures you can rest assured – your loved ones will be well taken care of.
Professionalism
Our preceptor program ensures our nurses feel confident and happy in their roles, and understand the etiquette required to provide happy, comfortable homecare for patients.
Note Taking
It might sound like something small, but our preceptor program ensures our nurses learn to love note taking so your loved one’s electronic health records are always up-to-date! Every detail matters to every nurse you work with from Family First, from favorite foods to favorite PJs.
Appreciation
The field of homecare is complex and thus must be compassionate. We appreciate our nurses, and our preceptors ensure our nurses every step of the way that their jobs matter more than they know – to us, and to you.
What else our clients have said.
Testimonials.
“Family First Homecare has always proved very responsive in relaying time-based information. The process of clear and consistent communication when accepting referrals has reduced the frustrations that occur with hospital to home transitions. Family First has excellent customer service as they communicate with well-planned information when accepting one of our critical care children, as well as putting together a clear concise action plan.” J.H., Jacksonville, FL
“I have had the opportunity to work with numerous home health agencies over the years, even giving some a second chance after being ‘promised the moon’. Family First and members of their staff sat with my family in our home and truly listened to what we wanted and needed. They assured us the shifts would be staffed and the nurses would be skilled and competent. They have succeeded in this completely. We are so thankful to have finally found a home health agency that takes caring for children as seriously as I do.” V.W., Sarasota, FL
“Having Family First is the best choice I can make for my son. He has a neuromuscular disease and receives weekly infusions. Erin listens to our concerns and takes everything into consideration. When Erin finds out that my son or any other family member is ill or in the hospital, she is the first one to reach out and make sure there is nothing else she can do for us in our times of hardship. The respect and care that my family receives means the world to us and exceeds our expectations.” T.H., Lehigh Acres, FL
“Family First Homecare is a fantastic dependable company that services many of our complex patients. Their nurses are up to date in their skills and always willing to learn the many unique and complicated nuances of our patients. We use Family First Homecare for as many patients as we can because they truly care about the well-being, safety and welfare of our complicated patients.” Pediatric Care Coordinator, Children’s Hospital, Tampa, FL
“Family First Homecare has been and will continue to be my preferred provider for all 10 of my branches. I have never worked with an agency as reliable or professional. The clients we refer to Family First have all been satisfied. I absolutely recommend them to anyone who needs home care.” Director of Nursing, Healthcare Provider Group, Florida