09/23/1994 31991

REGIONAL NURSING HOME FIELD SERVICES MANAGER

DEFINITION: This is managerial and professional work directing on a regional basis a statewide survey program for the certification and/or licensure of nursing homes.

An employee in this class plans, directs, and evaluates a region of a state wide program to ensure the consistent application of standards for federal certification and state licensure of nursing homes. An important aspect of the work is the review of recommended adverse actions on provider licensure or certification status in order to make a final recommendation to the Division Chief. A position in this class is responsible on a regional basis for the coordination of the field survey functions with other departmental work units and also for providing guidance to subordinates and nursing home administrators on the application of regulations. Work assignments are received from the Chief, Division of Nursing Care Facilities stated in terms of program objectives and general assignments, with completed work reviewed through conferences, reports, and a determination of adherence to program goals. Supervision is exercised over central office staff as well as subordinate field office supervisors who direct the work of field surveyors.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs field office supervisors and central office support staff in administering a regional portion of a state wide program of nursing home field surveys.

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

Evaluates nursing home survey work load in order to assign staff to complete surveys within mandated deadlines.

Manages the coordination of survey results with other departmental work units in order to generate nursing home licenses and certifications.

Oversees the review of field office survey activities and reporting methods in order to assure consistent applications of standards to federal certifications and state licensure.

Reviews recommended adverse actions on provider licensure or certification status from the field for conformance with federal standards in order to make a final recommendation to the Division Chief.

Oversees the process of approving or denying Plans of Correction submitted by nursing homes and timely followed actions completed by field offices to assure deficiencies are corrected.

Provides consultation and assistance to nursing home owners and administrators on nursing home management and other regulatory issues to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Plans and directs changes in the survey process as changes and program requirements are imposed, providing interpretation in guidance to field staff and nursing homes.

Determines training needs of field office and central office staff based on evaluations of work production and quality.

Directs a timely investigation of complaints against nursing home providers in accordance with state and federal procedures and assesses patterns of complaints state wide in conjunction with the other regional manager in order to determine need for possible revisions to regulations or the need for additional nursing home facility staff training.

Provides input on the development of policy and procedure guidelines and ensures implementation with subordinate staff.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other management units within the Department, other Commonwealth departments, federal agencies, nursing home providers, and other interested parties.

Completes performance evaluation reports, approves leave and applies progressive discipline for field office supervisors and central office subordinates.

Participates in formal training concerning field survey activities for providers, third party associations and group meetings.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health administration.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations concerning nursing home licensure/certification.

Knowledge of principles and practices of nursing home administration.

Knowledge of current methods, developments and practices in health care delivery and the survey process of nursing home providers.

Knowledge of the functions and resources of federal, state and local organizations which impact on the certification and/or licensure of nursing home providers.

Ability to plan, direct, and supervise the work of a large professional, technical and clerical staff engaged in a regional portion of a state wide licensure and certification program.

Ability to evaluate survey workload and organize work assignments to meet mandated deadlines.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other management units within the Department.

Ability to direct staff to ensure consistent application of state and federal laws and regulations.

Ability to provide advice, consultation and leadership in relation to issues that arise in the regulation of nursing homes.

Ability to determine training needs of staff based on production and quality of work.

Ability to evaluate patterns of complaints state wide to determine the need for the revision of regulations or nursing home facility staff training.

Ability to apply principles and practices of effective management, supervision and training.

Ability to evaluate the production and quality of work generated by staff.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Five years of health care facility survey experience, three years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity and a bachelors degree;

or

Five years of experience that involves the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and procedures for health care administration, three years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity and a bachelors degree;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes the required three years in a supervisory capacity.