07/09/1997 31986

CHIEF, DIVISION OF INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES

DEFINITION: This is responsible professional and administrative work at the division level, directing a statewide program for the licensure and/or certification of intermediate care facilities.

The employee in this class plans, develops, directs, coordinates and evaluates a statewide regulatory, certification and licensure program in the aforementioned facilities. As Chief of the Division of Intermediate Care Facilities, the employee is administratively responsible for directing both field and central office units in order to ensure that program activities are carried out and that program goals are met. Important aspects of this work are ensuring that program staff are sufficient in numbers and training to assess the quality of care delivered by providers in order to achieve the optimal level of health, safety, and program capabilities of the clients they serve. The employee is responsible for taking appropriate steps to ban admissions, apply a civil penalty or terminate a facility's license or participation in federal programs, or develop plans for resolving non-compliance on serious quality of care problems when identified by program staff. Work involves contact with other Divisions within the deputate, other state agencies, legislators, federal program officials, and officials of intermediate care facilities; particularly in relation to those regulations and legislation that direct the institution of decertification or delicensure proceedings against intermediate care facilities which have failed to comply with state or federal regulations. Supervision is exercised through subordinate health facility quality supervisors, who in turn direct the work of technical staff who are geographically disbursed throughout the Commonwealth. Work is assigned by the Director of the Bureau of Community Program Licensure and Certification 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 office units with appropriate delegation of authority in order to assure that program activities are carried out and program goals are met.

Travels to field office locations, survey sites and training locations to ensure compliance with regulations, guidelines and employee performance standards.

Maintains effective and cooperative working relationships with the Department of Public Welfare, the Federal Regional Office of the Department of Health and Human Services in the conduct of problem resolutions for the Medicare and Medicaid certification programs.

Maintains contact with intermediate care facilities, consumer organizations, ombudsman programs, and officials to promote public understanding and support for program goals.

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 as well as all other related organizations.

Determines eligibility for participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Evaluates federal and state training programs in conjunction with bureau wide training activities for effectiveness, and determines unmet training needs of staff, establishes needed programs and recommends attendance.

Receives complaints from intermediate care facilities, the legislature, government agencies, and patients and their next of kin; 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 requirements are changed.

Grants or denies exceptions to licensure regulations and 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 and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of current principles, practices and developments in health care as they relate to the regulation of intermediate care facilities.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

Knowledge of the function and resources of federal, state and municipal organizations which impact on the certification and/or licensure of intermediate care facilities.

Ability to integrate the work of a statewide licensure and certification program for intermediate care facilities with the overall mission of the Bureau of Community Program Licensure and Certification as well as the Department of Health.

Ability to plan and direct the work of a large professional, technical and clerical staff engaged in a statewide licensure program which encompasses the writing of standards and regulations and quality assessment.

Ability to understand and interpret the legal implications of federal, state, and local rules and regulations as they apply to intermediate care facilities.

Ability to provide advice, consultation and leadership in relation to issues that arise in regulation of intermediate care facilities.

Ability to analyze and interpret rules, regulations and laws pertaining to the regulation of intermediate care facilities.

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

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

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Three years of experience in the area of Health Facility licensing and certification and three years of administrative, supervisory or consultative experience; and a Bachelor's Degree in either the Social Sciences, Public Health Administration, Business Administration or a field closely related to public health.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes the required three years of administrative, supervisory or consultative experience.