12/01/1981 39280

LIFE SAFETY CODE ADMINISTRATOR

DEFINITION: This is administrative work directing the Life Safety Code survey process in the Department of Health.

The employee in this class formulates policies and directs the surveys of building plans, blueprints, and specifications of medical facilities for compliance with the Medicare and Medicaid Certification Program. Work includes reviewing and affixing signature to all reports and surveys as the Fire Authority for supervised health care facilities in the Commonwealth and encompasses the responsibility for approving new construction and renovations, and granting waivers in building plans. Work involves the review, analysis, and interpretation of publications, directives, correspondence, and policies to determine the effects and makes necessary changes in program operation. An extensive amount of contact is required with personnel from Federal and state agencies to conduct the survey process. Considerable effort is also expended in coordinating hospital surveys with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. The employee also leads an interagency team of staff members in resolving problems relative to the Life Safety Code and Fire and Panic Administration regulations as they pertain to state health facilities. Supervision is exercised over a staff of clerical and technical employees and involves review of all reports and surveys. General direction is received from an administrative superior but program goals are attained with considerable independence of action. Freedom to act is limited by established departmental goals and legislation. Work is reviewed for program effectiveness and attainment of goals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Determines and establishes a time frame for the timely implementation of Life Safety Code survey activity in the Department of Health for Safety Inspector surveys; coordinates hospital survey process with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals reviews.

Reviews health facility plans and issues occupancy permits pending the results of that review.

Leads a team of interagency personnel from the Department of Health, Department of Labor and Industry, Department of General Services, and the Department of Public Welfare, which evaluates the impact of Life Safety Code and Fire and Panic Administration regulations on state health facilities, and negotiates with representatives of Federal agencies relative to problem resolution.

Supervises and reviews the work of subordinate employees engaged in examining plans, blueprints, and specifications pertaining to the building alterations required for Life Safety Code compliance along with plan reviews for new health care facility construction.

Assigns work, determines work priority, sets goals, and reviews and evaluates work performance.

Interviews prospective employees and makes selection.

Receives grievances and complaints; assesses initial investigation into causes and conditions; resolves or recommends resolution to grievance or complaint.

Approves leave and authorizes overtime.

Plans and participates in in-service training programs for subordinates.

Reviews and signs all required program survey reports, "Statements of Deficiencies," "Post Certification Revisit Reports," and "Statement of Deficiencies Not Completed Reports" as the Fire Authority for supervised health care facilities.

Formulates pertinent policies required in implementing programs, resolving operational difficulties, or disseminating new operational concepts.

Checks operating procedures for compliance with established rules and regulations.

Advises on technical operational problems.

Directs and participates in the preparation of departmental reports and other related materials.

Maintain strict surveillance over the entire Life Safety Code survey operation in order to assure proper documentation and the timely processing of material required for Medicare and Medicaid certification for health care facilities.

Speaks to various groups concerning the Life Safety Code requirements.

Meets with Nursing Home Associations, Hospital Association, Nursing Home owners, Hospital Administrators, Federal employees, etc. regarding Life Safety Code requirements.

Provides consultative support to program areas and participates in joint policy development.

Approves modifications and grants waivers in building plans.

Participates in the development of Life Safety Code standards at semi-annual meetings as a voting member in the National Fire Protection Association.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of Life Safety Code administration in state government and health care facilities.

Knowledge of Federal and state standards and regulations which determine health care facility compliance with the Life Safety Code.

Knowledge of design and construction practices pertaining to health care facilities.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective supervision.

Knowledge of special building occupancy and use hazards to life and safety and application of appropriate laws, building codes, regulations, and standards to design, construction, and use of health care facilities.

Skill in reading and interpreting building plans, blueprints and specifications for health care facilities.

Ability to recognize trends in fire prevention and safety effectiveness.

Ability to develop compensatory features to achieve high performance levels of fire safety in physical plants.

Ability to solve problems in relation to physical plant Life Safety Code compliance.

Ability to explain and interpret building and safety laws, regulations, standards, and office practices and procedures to subordinates.

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

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with architects, engineers, contractors, Federal personnel, associates and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Six years of experience in surveying for and consultation on Life Safety Code compliance and J.C.A.H. life safety requirements, one year of which must have been in an administrative capacity and one year of which must have been in health care facility construction.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.