Associate Director of Access

Under limited supervision is responsible for the day to day oversight of the Access Field RN's who are admitting hospice, EMC and palliative care patients to our services. Daily operations include the timely, safe and appropriate admission to all Gilchrist programs and/or other community services. This position is responsible for providing exemplary customer service for all referral sources including patients and families. Collaborates with Associate Director of Hospital Programs, and Directors of Community Programs and Partnerships (DCPPs) ensuring access to the organization 24 hours per day. Ensures admission field staff compliance to all quality assurance functions including CTI's, Consents for Care, HIS submission and congruence and other pertinent regulatory requirements. Assures that all staff are committed to and deliver exemplary customer service and patients centered care.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing or equivalent. Master's degree preferred.

Experience

5 years' experience in caring for terminal patients and their families preferred.

3-5 years progressively responsible management experience preferred.

Hospice management experience preferred.

Skills

• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of hospice
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Skill in data analysis and interpretation
• Computer literate
• Strong problem resolution skills
• Strong leadership and healthcare management skills
• Knowledge of healthcare regulatory agency standards for hospice/ health care organizations.
• Knowledge of Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) and CMS principles and standards.
• Familiarity with Part A Hospice Medicare and insurance coverage processes preferred.
• Ability to operate independently and to balance multiple priorities.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and influencing skills necessary to interact effectively with physicians, payers, regulatory agencies, staff, and other health professionals.
• Analytical skills necessary to organize and oversee the work of others and to administer sound policies, procedures, budgets and clinical practices.
• Ability to market to and deal tactfully with customers (e. g. physicians, social workers, nurses, etc. ), other possible referral sources, and the community.
• Strong clinical assessment and documentation skills.
• Strong computer skills including e-mail, EMR, Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications.
• Strong leadership and healthcare management skills

Licensures, Certifications

• Current Maryland state license as a Registered Nurse

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform hospital, nursing facility and home care visits

Working Conditions

• Office, facilities and home environment

Conditions of Employment

• Valid driver's license and automobile insurance

Patient & Workplace Safety:

• Employee has knowledge and understanding of patient and workforce safety as it relates to job duties.

Patient Population:

• Demonstrates competency in the delivery of care and applies the knowledge to meet age-specific needs if applicable.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Admissions Operations

• Oversee the management of the day-to-day operations of the access field staff and clinical lead
• Develops strategies and implements processes for increasing timely admissions to all gilchrist programs and services.
• Coaches and access field staff on effective admission visit scheduling techniques.
• Ensures that the Access Nurses performs the job functions as outlined in Access Nurse job description
• Facilitation of Access Nurse staff meetings and huddles
• Conducts annual supervisory visits, performance reviews, and stay interviews with all access field staff.
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• Cross trains all staff on all services offered by Gilchrist.
• Educates team on changes in program offerings and eligibility requirements of all organization programs.
• Works with the EPIC team to maximize the use of all EPIC tools and functionality.

Strategic Planning

• Develops, implements, and ensures achievement of short- and long-term strategic deployment process goals and metrics.
• Actively participates in program development.

Financial Management/Growth

• Collaborates with Chief Access Officer to manage the budget of access field staff.
• Assists with the development of the department's operating budget and makes recommendations for capital budget expenditures in collaboration with Chief Access Officer

• Maintains ongoing analyses of supply costs and services.
• Ensures accounts payable issues are managed appropriately.
• Processes payroll for assigned areas

• Reviews staffing and productivity regularly to ensure appropriate use of resources. Meets all referral, admissions and staffing projections as outlined in the organization's annual budget.
• Collaborates with the home care, RCC, and IPU teams to ensure that the patient's admitted have all necessary components for a safe transfer, positive customer service experience, while also meeting all regulatory and accreditation guidelines.

Regulatory Compliance/Quality Improvement

• Ensures regulatory compliance for all referrals and admissions including appropriate payer authorizations, timely receipt of signed care plans and CTIs, and HIS submission and congruence.
• Audits patient records for accuracy, documentation and compliance in coordination with the Director of Quality.
• Ensures the implementation of standard work and LEAN initiatives throughout all areas of responsibility.
• Participates in quality and performance improvement efforts, evaluates, with the assistance of managers, the effectiveness of patient care and desired outcomes.
• Oversees staff involvement in quality control and improvement efforts, general safety, and infection control procedures.
• Measures and monitors patient and family, physician and referral source satisfaction, modifies and implements changes as necessary to meet service excellence goals.
• Assists with utilization review and productivity monitoring.
• Tracks and reports the development and monitoring of team metrics.
• Conducts ACAs, PDSA and A3 events as needed and required by organizational policy and procedure.
• Collaborates with other Associate Directors/DCPPs to ensure continuity of care and safe patient transfers.
• Creates a culture of safety in all supervised work environments.

Human Resource Functions

• Manages human resources within established productivity guidelines and the personnel budget.
• Facilitates Access Nurse training and development efforts.
• Maintains employee competencies.
• Monitors and reviews work performance of the staff.
• Plans and designs staffing patterns and staffing mixes.
• Empowers and encourage managers and individuals t.