Frequently Asked Questions About Relief / Supplemental Staffing Services About Home Health Care and Supportive Services
About Employment Opportunities
About Relief / Supplemental Staffing Services
What is Alpha's reputation in the community?
Alpha has an excellent reputation for responsiveness to our client's needs and for providing highly qualified staff in a reliable manner. How do we obtain relief or supplemental staff for our facility?
Alpha provides supplemental / relief staff under contract with the facilities. A written contract ensures that the needs of both parties are met and that there is a mutual understanding of the business arrangement. Are all the nurses and aides you send to our facility employees of Alpha?
All of Alpha's nurses and aides are Alpha employees. We pay all related payroll taxes and insurances. How long has Alpha been in business?
Alpha has been in business since 1979. Is Alpha licensed by the State in which they do business?
Alpha is incorporated in Illinois and maintains a business license in the states we serve. Alpha is also licensed by the Illinois Department of Labor under the Nurse Agency Act. Is Alpha or the Facility responsible for providing the staff in-service education that is mandated by laws and regulations?
Alpha provides all required in-service education to its employees, including such topics as HIPAA Privacy Practices, OSHA Safety and Infection Control, Patient Abuse / Neglect Prevention and Reporting. How are healthcare workers screened for employment eligibility?
Alpha employees undergo a thorough pre-employment screening which includes work references, criminal background check, professional license or certification validation, health screening, drug testing, CPR certification, competency evaluation, and pre-employment testing.
Does the Agency maintain current liability and employment insurances?
Alpha is covered by general liability, professional liability, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation insurances. What is the Agency's average response time for filling requested shifts?
Alpha is usually able to staff shift requests from its contracted facilities within four (4) hours of the request. However, for more difficult staffing needs, we appreciate at least a 24 hour notice. Many of our current facilities give us their weekly staffing need in advance, which helps to ensure the best results with consistency in service.
About Home Health Care and Supportive Services
How long has Alpha been in business?
Alpha has been providing quality nursing services since 1979. What kind of caregivers do you have available?
Alpha employs registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse's aides, and home health aides.
What hours can I have service and can I change them?
Alpha provides service up to 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including holidays. If your service is provided under your doctor's orders, your service schedule can not change unless we receive an order from your doctor to change the schedule, and then all required paperwork is completed.
If the service you request does not require a doctor's order, we will set up a service schedule that meets your individual needs. If you need to request a change in your service or schedule, our branch office staff will work with you to complete the paperwork needed to accommodate the change. What does your service cost?
That depends on the type of service you need. Our charges will be discussed with you when we determine the level of care that is appropriate to safely meet your care or service needs. Some of the cost of care may be covered by insurance. We will help you determine that when we know more about your service needs and the payer sources available for you. How do I obtain your services and how soon can you start?
You can call the Champaign office at (217) 398-4100, the Charleston
office at (217) 345-2257 or the Danville office at (217) 446-6800.
A supervisor will come to your home, conduct an assessment of your needs, determine how you will pay for the service, and then staff will be assigned to start your care on a date that is convenient for you.
Are Alpha's caregivers employees of the Agency?
Alpha employs all of its nurses and aides and pays all related payroll taxes and insurances. How well does Alpha screen its employees/caregivers?
Alpha employees undergo a thorough pre-employment screening which includes work references, criminal background check, professional license or certification validation, health screening, CPR certification, competency evaluation, and pre-employment testing. Are Alpha employees bonded and insured?
Yes, Alpha carries general liability, professional liability, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation.
Who supervises my care?
Alpha-Care office has an RN clinical supervisor who assesses your needs, develops a plan of care with your doctor, when applicable, and provides ongoing supervision of the employees and the care they provide.
Can I interview and choose my own caregivers?
As a Nursing Agency, it is Alpha's responsibility to interview, screen and hire our employees to ensure they meet industry and Alpha standards. We work hard to match the clinical and personal skills of the staff we assign to meet your individual needs; while maintaining compliance with federal and state non-discrimination laws.
About Employment Opportunities
What type of work is available for nurses with Alpha-Care?
We offer our nurses a variety of work locations and work assignments based upon their skills, knowledge and experience. We offer relief or supplemental staffing work in health care facilities and work in home health care, providing intermittent visits or extended hours / private duty nursing in our patients' residences. Nurses from a variety of clinical backgrounds and work experiences find the Alpha work experience very rewarding. What information do I need to bring with me to complete my application?
Alpha will need your name, address, phone number, social security number, your work history (current and previous employers' name, address, phone number, supervisor's name, and the dates of employment at each job) and information about your level of education (schools attended including city and state, graduation dates, and course of study), and nurses need to bring their RN or LPN license number.
How far am I expected to drive for my work assignments?
Our goal is to make the work experience mutually rewarding, so we ask you how far you are willing to drive. The distance you are willing to drive will determine your availability for work assignments offered.
Do you have work assignments for my nursing specialty?
We can give nurses assignments in either home health care or facility relief staffing or both.
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