Dpcs Director Of Patient Care Services

JOB SUMMARY: The Director of Patient Care Services (DPCS) is responsible for the overall direction of hospice clinical services. The DPCS establishes, implements and evaluates goals and objectives for hospice services that meet and promote the standards of quality and contribute to the total organization and philosophy.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate and oversee all direct and indirect patient services provided by clinical organization personnel

• Provide guidance and counseling to coordinators, case managers and Clinical Supervisors to assist them in continually improving all aspects of hospice care services, provided through organization personnel

• Assist Clinical Supervisors in managing clinical teams and planning

• Provide direction to case managers and clinical teams related to patient care delivery

• Provide help in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient and family/caregiver care to all clinical personnel as indicated

• Assist the Executive Director in the preparation and administration of the organization's budget

• Interpret operational indicators to detect census changes and increases or decreases in volume that could impact staffing levels, revenues or expenses

• Evaluate performance of Clinical Supervisors and/or case managers

• Assist Clinical Supervisors to develop skills and techniques in evaluating the performance of clinicians

• Hire, evaluate and terminate organization personnel

• Conduct annual evaluations on clinicians, or more frequently, if indicated

• Oversee the maintenance of patient clinical records, statistics, reports and records for purposes of evaluation and reporting of organization activities

• Assure proper maintenance of clinical records in compliance with local, state and federal laws

• Responsible for the maintenance of adequate and appropriate inventory supplies and equipment for the provision of patient services

• Develop, implement and evaluate the orientation program for new organization personnel

• Responsible for orientation of new organization personnel, directly or delegated

• Plan and implement in-service and continuing education programs to meet education and training needs of organization personnel

• Assist with the evaluation of organization performance via quality assurance and performance improvement program, productivity, quarterly and annual reviews

• Assure the quality and safe delivery of hospice services provided through the organization

• Assist in the development of organization goals

• Develop, recommend and administer organization policies and procedures

• Assure compliance with all hospice related local, state and federal laws, including licensure and certification or organization personnel and maintain compliance to the CHAP Home Care standards

• Stay informed about changes in the field of nursing and hospice care; share information with appropriate organization personnel

• Promote hospice referrals in the health care community

• In the absence of the Executive Director, the DPCS will become the acting Executive Director and will be vested with authority to act in behalf of the Executive Director

• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must be a registered nurse in the state, with current licensure to practice professional nursing

• A bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited program by the National League for Nursing preferred. Equivalent leadership experience may be substituted for a degree.

• California specific: Must have a bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited program by the National League for Nursing preferred.

• Must have one(1) year of management experience, hospice or related health care organization preferred.

• Must meet state and federal requirements for the position

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must demonstrate an ability to supervise and direct professional and administrative personnel

• Must possess an ability to market and deal tactfully with customers and the community

• Must possess excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills

• Must possess knowledge of business management, governmental regulations and CHAP standards

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be flexible in work hours

• Must possess a willingness to maintain comprehensive working knowledge regarding information systems and applicable software programs

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Must comply with company policies, procedures and processes in addition to Hospice and Homecare rules and regulations

• Must be dependable and flexible in work schedule

• Must comply with harassment and discrimination policies

• Must foster good working relationships

• Must be a licensed driver with licensed automobile that is insured in accordance with organization/state requirements and is in good working order

• Must be willing to submit to a criminal background check as well as a drug/alcohol screening upon hire and periodically thereafter

• Must possess and maintain a current CPR certification

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

• Must be able to see color changes on a patient's skin; can listen to heart and lung sounds through a stethoscope; and feel skin temperature, as well as palpating pulses

• Must demonstrate vital sensory abilities including near vision, far vision, perceptual speed, visual color discrimination, depth perception and hearing sensitivity

• Must have finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness, and manual dexterity

• Must be able to manipulate equipment in a safe and effective way and use tools that require motor functioning, such as blood pressure monitors, hypodermic needles and hemostats

• Must be able to communicate with patients, families and other health care workers

• Speech clarity, speech recognition and written expression are vital abilities for performing the job

• Must be able to lift heavy items on a frequent basis

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance and must be able to spend a prolonged amount of time standing, walking, bending and stretching

• Must possess the ability to deal with stressful situations as well as grieving families

• Must be able to be compassionate without becoming personally involved with the patients and their families