07/09/1997 31981

CHIEF, DIVISION OF HOME HEALTH

DEFINITION: This is responsible professional administrative work at the Division level directing a statewide program for the licensure and/or certification of Home Health Services, Out-Patient and Independent Physical Therapy Operations, End-Stage Renal Dialysis free-standing facilities, Rural Health and Abortion Clinics and Ambulatory Surgical and Birth Centers, and the registration/licensure of manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of legal drugs, devices and cosmetics.

The employee in this class plans, develops, directs, and coordinates a statewide regulatory, certification, and/or licensure program in the aforementioned facilities. As the Chief, Division of Home Health, the employee is administratively responsible for directing field and central office units in order to assure that program activities are carried out and program goals are met within resources available. An important aspect of this work is assuring that program staff provide consultation and continuing education to providers in order to achieve the optimal level of health safety and program capabilities for the clients they serve. The employee is responsible for taking appropriate steps when necessary to resolve difficult licensure/certification issues and to develop plans for resolving non-compliance problems which might precipitate an action to revoke a license, apply a civil penalty or terminate a facility's participation in Federal programs. Work involves a fairly extensive level of contact with other Divisions under the Deputy Secretary for Quality Assurance, other state agencies, legislators, Federal program officials, Primary Care
Center, Home Health Agency officials, and manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of drugs, devices and cosmetics in relation to such things as regulations and legislation, in order to direct the institution of decertification and/or delicensure proceedings against a Primary Care Facility or Home Health Agency which has failed to comply with either state and/or Federal regulations. Supervision is exercised through subordinate health facility survey supervisors who in turn supervise technical survey staff who are geographically dispersed throughout the Commonwealth. Work is assigned by an administrative superior in the form of program goals and objectives and the work is carried out with considerable independence. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports and year-end completion of performance objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs field and central office units with appropriate delegation of authority in order to assure program activities are carried out and program goals are met within resources available.

Maintains effective and cooperative working relationships with the Department of Public Welfare and the Federal Regional Office in the conduct of problem resolutions for the Medicare Certification Program.

Analyzes the impact of existing state and federal regulations as well as pending legislation on the operation of this program. Recommends and secures changes to state regulations in order to maintain a state-of-the-art regulatory base.

Analyzes and interprets program data and implements practices to improve Division performance based on this data.

Coordinates effective and cooperative working relationships with the Division of Safety Inspection and other program offices of the Department of Health.

Evaluates state and Federal training programs in conjunction with the Bureau training coordinator for effectiveness, and determines unmet training needs of staff, establishes needed programs and recommends attendance.

Directs the conduct of inspections for the registration/licensure of manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of legal drugs, devices and cosmetics to ensure consumers are provided protection in accordance with the law.

Develops and implements consumer and provider educational endeavors relating to drugs, devices and cosmetics.

Receives complaints from Primary Care Facilities and Home Health Agencies, the legislature, governmental agencies, and patients in these facilities, investigates and responds, as necessary.

Establishes a mechanism for the uniform interpretation of state rules and regulations and assures staff and providers are informed when information is updated.

Grants or denies exceptions to licensure regulations.

Recommends termination of certification when conditions of participation are not met.

Maintains an effective working relationship with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Coordinates complaint investigations with the Federal regional office in order to determine reviewable conditions of participation or services.

Maintains an effective working relationship with the Office of Medical Assistance, Department of Public Welfare.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the current principals, practices, and developments in health as they relate to the regulation of Primary Care Facilities, Home Health Agencies and manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of drugs, devices and cosmetics.

Knowledge of the principals and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the principals and practices of supervision.

Knowledge of the functions and resources of Federal, state and municipal organizations which impact on the certification and/or licensure of Primary Care Facilities, and the licensure of Home Health Agencies.

Ability to integrate the work of a statewide licensure and/or certification program for Primary Care Facilities, Home Health Agencies and manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of drugs, devices and cosmetics with the overall mission of the Deputy Secretary for Quality Assurance as well as the Department of Health.

Ability to plan and direct the work of a professional, technical and clerical staff engaged in a state-wide registration, licensure and certification program which encompasses the writing of standards and regulations, and quality assessment.

Ability to understand and apply the legal implications of Federal, state, and/or local rules and regulations as they apply to Primary Care Facilities, Home Health Agencies and manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of drugs, devices and cosmetics.

Ability to provide advice, consultation, and leadership in relation to issues in the regulation of Primary Care Facilities, Home Health Agencies, and manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of drugs, devices, and cosmetics.

Ability to analyze and interpret rules, regulations and laws pertaining to the regulation of Primary Care Facility, Home Health Agencies, and manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of drugs, devices and cosmetics.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, associates, state officials and the general public.

Ability to write and/or orally present technical reports which summarize, explain, or promote the program needs or achievements of this Division.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Five years of experience in the field of public health, three years of which must have been administrative, supervisory or consultative in nature and a Bachelor's Degree in either the Social Sciences, Public Health Administration, Business Administration, Hospital Administration or a field closely related to public health.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training, which includes the required three years of administrative, supervisory or consultive experience in the field of public health.

ALLOCATION TERM: Public Health

Public Health is defined as the provision of health care services, treatment, prevention and/or detection of diseases for targeted population groups within a community at large, with a goal of optimal health for all. It does not involve provision of services on an isolated individual basis.