Michigan Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Practice Exam

Who is NOT required to be part of the patient care policy committee?

1. Licensed physician

2. Director of nursing

3. Social worker

4. Administrator

The correct answer is: Social worker

In a nursing home setting, the patient care policy committee typically consists of key personnel who are directly involved in ensuring the delivery of quality care to residents. Each member brings essential expertise to the table, focusing on various aspects of patient care and regulatory compliance. The inclusion of a licensed physician, director of nursing, and administrator is rooted in their critical roles. The physician oversees medical care, ensuring it meets healthcare standards, while the director of nursing manages nursing staff and patient care practices. The administrator, who is responsible for the overall management of the facility, ensures that policies align with both federal and state regulations. A social worker, while playing a valuable role in addressing residents’ psychosocial needs and facilitating communication between families and the care team, is not typically mandated to be part of the patient care policy committee. While their input can be beneficial, the primary responsibilities of patient care policy creation and evaluation generally fall under the purview of medical and nursing leadership, along with administrative oversight. Thus, the correct choice reflects the standard composition of such committees, where a social worker's role, while important, is not a requirement for membership in this specific context.