Clinical Skills Checklist
 

Patient Assessment & Diagnosis

• Comprehensive history-taking and physical examinations

• Assessing acute and chronic conditions in a home setting

• Identifying social determinants of health impacting patient care

• Differentiating between emergent vs. non-emergent conditions

Chronic Disease Management

• Monitoring and managing hypertension, diabetes, COPD, CHF, etc.

• Medication reconciliation and adjustment based on patient status

• Evaluating lab results and imaging for disease progression

• Implementing lifestyle modification plans tailored to home settings

Acute Care & Symptom Management

• Assessing and managing infections (e.g., UTIs, cellulitis, pneumonia)

• Evaluating and treating pain, wound infections, and other acute symptoms

• Prescribing and adjusting medications as needed

• Recognizing red flags that require escalation to ER or specialist

Wound Care & Skin Integrity Management

• Assessing and treating pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, and diabetic foot ulcers

• Performing debridement, dressing changes, and infection control

• Educating caregivers on proper wound care at home

Geriatric & Palliative Care

• Managing polypharmacy and minimizing medication interactions

• Assessing and managing cognitive decline, dementia, and falls risk

• Providing symptom relief for terminally ill patients

• Discussing advanced care planning and goals of care

Pediatric & Family-Centered Care

• Assessing growth and development milestones

• Managing common pediatric conditions (e.g., asthma, otitis media, eczema)

• Providing immunization recommendations and education

• Addressing parental concerns and coordinating with school-based services

Mental Health & Behavioral Health

• Screening for depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline

• Managing mild-to-moderate mental health conditions in collaboration with therapists

• Providing crisis intervention and referrals for severe psychiatric conditions

• Supporting caregivers in managing behavioral concerns in elderly or pediatric patients

Procedural Skills

• Performing point-of-care testing (e.g., glucose, INR, strep, flu, UA)

• Administering joint injections, trigger point injections, or aspiration if needed

• Suturing, staple removal, and minor skin procedures

• Inserting and managing urinary catheters, tracheostomy care, and feeding tubes

Health Promotion & Patient Education

• Counseling on diet, exercise, and disease prevention

• Teaching medication adherence and self-monitoring techniques

• Guiding families on home safety modifications

• Educating caregivers on recognizing early signs of deterioration

Care Coordination & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Communicating with home health nurses, therapists, and social workers

• Coordinating referrals to specialists, hospice, or community resources

• Documenting encounters accurately and ensuring regulatory compliance

• Advocating for patients' needs within healthcare systems