Home Health Assistant Director

PERFORMANCE PLANNING

Responsible for clinical operational efficiencies and quality healthcare outcomes through effective leadership and direction of the clinical team in the Home Health Department. Consults with and advises the Home Health Director to ensure that department goals and performance measures are met.

The Home Health Assistant Director creates a positive culture of accountability through instruction, mentoring, and coaching. Responsible for performing professional administrative duties related to auditing, assessing, training and evaluating the performance improvement and regulatory compliance activities of the Agency. They are responsible for the development, operationalization, supervision and evaluation of the Agency-wide Performance Improvement Plan that includes the education of all staff, enabling optimal performance. Tracks and trends operational, quality and satisfaction measures and prepares reports. HH Assistant Director is a clinical best practice resource to all clinical staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

LEADERSHIP

1. Supports the DCH Health System Mission, Vision and Strategic objectives.
2. Serves as a Home Care Leader displaying sound managerial judgment, exemplary customer service behaviors, excellent team building and people skills at all times.
3. Assists with direction of home health operations meeting/exceeding departmental goals.

QUALITY ASSURANCE / PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

1. Provides input and plans in the overall development and clinical administration of the Agency. Directs implementation of approved work methods, patient care model and procedures that reflect elements essential to rendering high quality care. Participates in the review, analysis, and appraisal of the effectiveness of the total Agency program.
2. Reviews and evaluates existing policies and practices to determine if current method provides the means for the staff to carry out their responsibilities and achieve projected goals. Directs the Performance Improvement team.
3. Participates in all activities relevant to the professional services furnished, including the development of qualifications and the assignment of personnel.
4. Responsible for directing the orientation and competency evaluation of all clinical staff. Provides clinical mentoring through education, general meetings, timely evaluations and management of productivity expectations. Responsible for interviewing and hiring all clinical associates as applicable.
5. Maintains the agency in a state of survey readiness at all times. Ensures the agency complies with all state, local and federal regulatory requirements. Directs Agency compliance related to regulations and accreditation standards. Tracks and trends compliance to improve processes and outcomes.
6. Provides clinical oversight for all home health patients including evaluations of utilization of visits, re-certifications, discharges, adverse events, etc. Coordinates case conferences oversight with each discipline reporting to ensure quality care for patients.
7. Ensures that an effective quality assurance program is established and maintained, including the oversight of all required agency manuals.
8. Manages activities of the agency in a manner that is fiscally responsible and supports the accomplishment of business objectives.
9. Enforces home health model by following established workflow processes and holding team members accountable to task assignments. Reviews key benchmark reports with team members, sets clear expectations on performance, provides training/resources to achieve expectations and holds clinical staff accountable.
10. Maintains effective and efficient ongoing communication with the Home Health Director, reporting all operational aspects of the agency related to patient care, physician relations, community relations or other areas impacting agency performance.
11. Completes periodic reviews of policies relevant to patient care with the Performance Improvement Committee.
12. Assist with direction and participates in the Performance Improvement Program as required including chart audits and oversight of adverse events.
13. Stands in for the Home Health Director in their absence. Serves as the lead agency clinician when the Director is not an RN, or at the direction of the Home Health Director when the Director is an RN.
14. Develops an Annual Performance Improvement Plan that includes operating metrics, regulatory opportunities for improvement; and Outcome, Process, and Patient Engagement Measures.
15. Analyzes, reports and trends Agency performance metrics including operational success factors, Home Health Compare, patient engagement (CAHPS), and Star Reports to measure achievement of quantitative and qualitative standards.
16. Responds to requests for quality-improvement related information by oversight agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and approved/related compliance vendors.
17. As a member of the Home Health Leadership Team, Participates in the Senior On-call rotation, if necessary.
18. Provides the final sign-off on all patient concerns and assures all are documented appropriately.

EDUCATION

1. Develops, updates, and manages the new employee orientation plan for all employees.
2. Responsible for the education of staff related to accreditation.
3. Assures the Agency has current educational materials for all employees.
4. Develops and facilitates educational in-services based on analysis of PI data and activities.
5. Responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation and redesign of an OASIS orientation program for clinicians that is customer focused, competency based, quality outcome focused, and in compliance with all rules and regulations.
6. Responsible for orientation and on-going education to all staff related to optimal use of the electronic medical record.
7. Responsible for the organization of annual skills days and content in collaboration with Agency leadership.
8. Oversees the preceptor program, evaluates effectiveness, and suggests revisions as indicated by staff needs.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

1. Assists with direction of clinical recruiting and hiring.
2. Coordinates orientation and training for employees, assuring all assigned staff have the educational and training preparation to provide care. This may include preparation for certification.
3. Directs home visit evaluation process, documents and reports findings, and develops time limited improvement plans.
4. Directs employee performance. Responsible for assigned staff performance evaluations.
5. Executes progressive discipline up to and including termination.

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

Graduate of a school of nursing, (BSN preferred). Current Alabama or Compact state RN license.  Must be knowledgeable in federal and state governmental regulations governing home health services; must demonstrate excellent nursing judgment and leadership ability; must possess 1 year of management experience in nursing with demonstrated ability to motivate and develop staff using team concepts, strong interpersonal/communication skills. Minimum of 2 years of Medicare home health experience within a PPS/PDGM environment. Must have current BLS certification or be able to obtain within 60 days of employment. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English. Prefer experience with Homecare Homebase.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Is able to lift 20 pounds.  Ability to sit for prolonged periods. Able to walk and climb stairs with occasional kneeling, stooping, reaching and required.  Good manual and finger dexterity. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be licensed and insured to operate a motor vehicle and be able to travel to various locations.  Ability to work Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm holidays, weekends, and after hours as patient care and/or departmental business requires.

Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.