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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50414828 |
Description Activated On: 10/31/2025 11:33:20 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Employee is responsible for ensuring drug and/or alcohol treatment facilities and recovery houses are providing drug and/or alcohol treatment services/rehabilitative services to individuals with complex addictions and co-occurring disorders in a safe environment where effective treatment can be provided. These facilities range from drug and alcohol recovery houses, hospital-based medically managed detoxification to outpatient treatment. Employee is responsible for determining federal and state regulatory licensing compliance, providing technical assistance, consultation and administrative support and acting as a liaison between drug and alcohol treatment facilities, recovery houses and other service providers, federal and state government entities and funding sources. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Conducts on-site licensing inspections of profit, non-profit, and county government managed drug and alcohol treatment programs and recovery houses in Pennsylvania providing drug and alcohol treatment and/or prevention and intervention services to ensure compliance with federal and stated applicable laws, regulations and standards. The providers range in size and complexity from sole proprietorships and partnerships to large corporate institutions. The inspection of a single activity in a drug and alcohol free-standing facility could require the review and application of over 250 independent regulations. Evaluates and processes administrative and program materials, including applications and payments. Reviews and analyzes administrative and program materials and documents such as but not limited to, policies and procedures that include, legal entity, program goals and objectives, personnel management, staff development, confidentiality, management of treatment and rehabilitation services, client records, client’s rights, medication control, dietary services, fire safety and emergency evacuation and support services. Evaluates a variety of unique documentation from multiple sources that need to be reviewed to demonstrate compliance. Analyzes and evaluates annual fiscal audits for compliance with government and general accounting and auditing practices. Determines completeness of annual reports required for all facilities who receive public funding - ensuring reports include income and expenditures, annual program plans and budget requests - and identifies those facilities with serious fiscal issues that may impact patient care and safety. Determines facility compliance with the DDAP Prevention and Treatment data system and documentation of patient and programmatic data used to evaluate financial eligibility for Medical Assistance, Health Choices, Single County Authority funding, federal grant block funding, and Behavioral Health Special Incentives. Evaluates staffing qualifications for administrative, clinical, medical and support staff positions. This includes analyzing transcripts, licensures, certifications, diplomas, resumes, and international degree equivalency to determine compliance with required qualifications, experience and training for the individuals. Assesses data, calculates staff ratios and/or primary care coverage to determine staffing compliance for inpatient hospital and non-hospital detoxification and rehabilitation treatment, specialty hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, partial hospitalization, and outpatient treatment activities. Conducts clinical and medical chart audits that include but are not limited to analyzing and evaluating chart documentation and content to determine appropriateness of the patient’s level of care, provision of treatment services, and discharge planning including aftercare or referral to other treatment providers. Reviews and evaluates medical charts for the purpose of analyzing documentation and content regarding medication management, medication administration, occurrence of medication errors and corrective action implementation, drug interactions, and compliance with the program’s protocols. Determines completeness of physical examinations and reviews orders to determine that they are within the scope of the medical practitioner's license. Physically inspects the facility to determine compliance with DDAP regulations, which can include, but not limited to fire safety, emergency exits and means of egress, square footage for bed capacity, dietary safety and sanitation and maintenance of interior and exterior building structure(s) to ensure that a safe physical environment exists where treatment may occur. Provides technical assistance and consultative support to medical professionals, program administrators, and other professionals on issues regarding interpretation of state and federal regulations, program and fiscal administration, staff development, provision of services and implementation of new program activity. Conducts inspections of Narcotic Treatment Programs to ensure compliance with state and federal narcotic treatment regulations. Determines compliance with physician, nurse, and counselor staffing requirements. Works collaboratively with and provides updated facility information to federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). As a function of the State Opioid Treatment Authority provides complex technical assistance and consultation to physicians, pharmacists, hospitals, and facilities regarding methadone and buprenorphine regulations under 28 Pa. Code, Chapter 715. Educates public about methadone and buprenorphine either through direct contact or community sponsored trainings or forums. Conducts introductory and exit conferences with program administrators and staff in order to solicit facility updates, review the licensing process and agenda following Bureau procedures, explain deficiencies identified and provide feedback, make recommendations and provide technical assistance regarding the plan of correction. Governing Body board members, executive directors and representatives from the County funding agency often participate in this process. Prepares deficiency reports that substantiate non-compliance with regulations identified during licensing inspections, unannounced follow-up reviews, complaint, and incident investigations. Prepares program overview and physical plant summaries for each facility reflecting the Licensing Specialist’s evaluative understanding of the facility's philosophy, structure, and services that relate to regulatory issues and other concerns as it applies to the licensed activities. Identifies critical issues for management's attention. Documents findings on Department forms in accordance with Federal Guidelines that govern the structure of the noncompliance statement. Utilizes the Survey Agency Information System (SAIS), which is the automated licensing program for licensing inspections, complaint and incident investigations and tracking. SAIS allows licensure status and results to be posted on the internet for public information. Inspection findings and licensure status must be accurate. Provides recommendations, with justification, regarding type of license. Is responsible to bring to management’s attention any anomaly that could impact the type of license issued. Needs to articulately substantiate any recommendation that is outside normal Bureau procedures. Reviews and analyzes plans of correction according to Bureau policies and procedures. Evaluates the implementation of selected plans of correction by conducting unannounced inspections to licensed drug and/or alcohol treatment facilities and recovery houses. Serves as a focal point and liaison for communications between licensing entities within the Deputy for Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the Bureau of Quality Assurance for Prevention and Treatment, Single County Authorities (SCA), treatment agencies, prevention agencies, criminal justice entities, children and youth services, and other human service agencies. Provides interpretations on policies, procedures, regulations and interpretive guidelines of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and other state agencies and federal agencies to service providers, funding providers, state and federal entities and other inquirers. Provides feedback to SCAs, treatment agencies, other state agencies, federal agencies, and private agencies regarding evaluation of programmatic effectiveness and/or conformance to policy, procedures and standards by projects and facilities. Responds to complaints and incidents that may include patient death, suspected patient abuse, neglect, life threatening conditions and/or concerns regarding services and treatment provided by drug and alcohol treatment programs and recovery houses to determine if the remaining patients are safe and if any gross incompetence, negligence, or misconduct occurred in the operation of the facility. Conducts investigations, prepares reports, correspondence and reviews and approves a plan of correction for complaints filed with the Department per Department policies and procedures. Accesses, reviews, and analyzes records at the facility that may be appropriate and applicable to the investigation. Interviews staff, clients and any other persons involved in the complaint to determine validity. Serves as a witness and provides testimony for the Commonwealth in administrative or criminal proceedings against licensed providers. Reviews, analyzes, documents, and recommends approval of survey materials for new programs per Bureau policies and procedures. Corresponds with new applicants, providing interpretations and technical assistance of the applicable regulations and standards. Determines that the applicant has met compliance with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs regulations and other federal, state and local regulations and ordinances. Conducts the initial site inspection at new drug and alcohol treatment facilities and recovery houses to determine compliance with 28 Pa. Code. Collaborates and provides updated facility information to federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). May conduct on-site licensing inspections jointly with Health Facility Quality Examiners- Nursing, from the Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care, to ensure compliance with Department of Health, and other state and federal agencies regulations for hospital-based drug and alcohol treatment facilities throughout the Commonwealth. Works with direct supervisor to ensure collaboration and communication with the Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services regarding the development and implementation of treatment services for individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Provides technical assistance and consultation to licensed facilities regarding the process for achieving Co-occurring Disorder Competency approval. Ensures compliance with applicable regulations and standards for the approval of drug and alcohol treatment facilities and recovery houses to receive Department of Human Services, Office of Medical Assistance Programs reimbursement for services rendered to patients. Determines program compliance with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Halfway House Guidelines to assess facility compliance with the guidelines and subsequent eligibility for inclusion in the Halfway House funding pool. Provides training and technical assistance through on-site visits or orientation seminar(s) to new providers seeking licensure, existing facilities who are expanding services, new administrative staff of existing facilities or providers who are experiencing difficulties in complying with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and other state and federal agencies regulations. Investigates reports of unlicensed facilities that may be providing drug and alcohol treatment services. Investigates reports of unlicensed recovery houses receiving referrals and/or funding from federal, state, and local agencies. Writes and completes official documents for submission to the Department’s legal department for approval and use in legal proceedings and court hearings. Participates in the development and/or modification of regulations, interpretive guidelines and procedures relative to drug and alcohol treatment programs and recovery houses. Assists in the on-the-job training of new licensing specialists, as assigned. Performs other related duties as required. On-site licensing inspections and monitoring are conducted, in part, to ensure drug and alcohol treatment facilities and recovery houses who are receiving Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funds are compliant with federal and state licensing regulations. Field work may require individuals to work irregular hours for travel to and from sites and for early morning and late evening inspections. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Uses professional judgment to identify materials that require review or further development to determine compliance with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs regulations regarding drug and alcohol treatment and recovery house services. Materials reviewed are unique to each facility and require a high degree of analytical ability to ensure consistent application with state and federal regulatory requirements. Independently determines compliance and recommends licensure type or legal action. Works under the general direction of the immediate supervisor. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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