JOB TITLE: NURSING SERVICES CONSULTANT

JOB CODE: 30755

DEFINITION: This is professional nursing work providing consultative and advisory services in the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS).

An employee in this job provides nursing consultation and technical assistance to medical, nursing, behavioral health, and administrative staff in healthcare facilities and programs throughout the Commonwealth. Work involves advising and consulting on intellectual and developmental disabilities services, substance use disorders and other addictions services, or physical, mental, or behavioral health issues. Work includes developing, reviewing, and interpreting regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines to improve the physical and mental health service delivery system; monitoring provider services to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies; reviewing proposed legislation for impact to programs; and developing and facilitating education programs and health-related training. Work may also include providing guidance and technical assistance on newborn blood screening protocols, immunization policies and procedures, public school health services, maternal and child health reviews, disease prevention protocols, quality assurance improvement work plans, and clinical nursing practice standards. Additional work may include preparing service contracts, reviewing medical reports to determine eligibility and level of care, investigating patient complaints and incidents, conducting site visits, and serving on committees and workgroups to draft policy recommendations. Work assignments are completed independently within the framework of state and federal laws, regulations, and professional standards. Work is reviewed by an administrative supervisor through meetings and reports for the attainment of goals and objectives. EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Provides consultative nursing services to hospitals, intellectual and developmental disabilities programs, state mental health facilities, schools, physicians' offices, health maintenance and behavioral health organizations, nursing agencies, consumer and family groups, medical laboratories, and substance abuse and addiction treatment facilities.

• Reviews, advises, and recommends changes to regulations, policies, and procedures related to physical health, mental and behavioral health, intellectual disabilities, developmental disorders, and substance use disorders and other addiction programs.

• Monitors grantee fiscal and programmatic activities to ensure compliance with departmental regulations and policies.

• Provides technical advice to department staff on implementing regulations, guidelines, and standards to ensure accessibility and availability of medical and nursing care services.

• Provides consultation to hospital staff regarding newborn blood screening and follow-up procedures.

• Evaluates programs through data analysis and performance monitoring and recommends changes to address deficiencies.

• Prepares contracts, grant agreements, requests for proposals, requests for applications, invitations to bid, and other procurement documents.

• Reviews and interprets medical records related to quality-of-care concerns or consumer grievances.

• Provides consultation for immunization policies and practices to healthcare staff and administrators.

• Drafts guidelines and standards of practice for quality improvement work plans.

• Develops, evaluates, and conducts trainings on healthcare services for health care providers, agency staff, and the public.

• Conducts regional and statewide education programs and training to promote awareness of health issues such as vaccine preventable diseases.

• Participates in health-related planning groups to evaluate and improve services in school health programs, intellectual and developmental disabilities services, and substance use and other addictions disorder services.

• Travels to worksites and monitors contractors’ compliance with provisional service agreements.

• Analyzes trends in the access, use, quality, and cost management of healthcare services and identifies improvement opportunities.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the theories, practices, and methodologies of professional nursing.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of nursing administration.

• Knowledge of the laws and practices that impact the delivery of services for substance use and other addiction disorders.

• Knowledge of the laws and practices that impact the delivery of services for intellectual and developmental disabilities and disorders.

• Knowledge of the theories and practices of patient healthcare assessment.

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing standards of patient care.

• Knowledge of quality-of-care requirements for health care providers.

• Knowledge of disease and disorder pathology, signs, and symptoms.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written information.

• Ability to analyze and interpret numerical information.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Two years of professional nursing experience;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require active authorization to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.

• All employees possessing an active temporary practice permit must obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse within the one (1) year period defined by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.