Director, Regulatory Affairs

Job Summary The Director, Regulatory & Quality is responsible for conducting organizational preparedness to ensure that Westchester Medical Center demonstrates ongoing compliance and survey readiness with respect to state and federal regulations and other agency accreditation/certification requirements. The Director of Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance reports directly to the VP, Regulatory & Accreditation Compliance, while working in close collaboration with Quality Directors, Nursing, Medical Staff and other disciplines as part of an organizational team to provide focus and education on regulatory issues. This is a position with responsibility for an organization-wide program to promote the delivery of high quality and fiscally responsible health care. Responsibilities include directing and supervising the integration and coordination of all components to facilitate the efficient delivery of value added care and services. Responsibilities Is the primary liaison to regulatory agencies and accreditation bodies for WMC and is the central point of contact for division(s) within the medical center related to matters of regulatory functions, standards and compliance, accreditation and licensure standards. Implements and devises a systematic approach to achievement of compliance w/ all licensing & accreditation standards & requirements, ensuring consistency w/ organizational goals & priorities. Directs a regulatory survey readiness at each of the organization’s locations. Partners w/ the Quality Directors to prepare for surveys & inspections, including educational forums, coordinating mock surveys & assessments assists in developing response plans; Facilitates coordination of surveys for all regulatory & accrediting agencies. Provides leadership in establishing a high level of awareness of regulatory and accrediting agency requirements throughout the Medical Center including ramifications of failures in compliance. Interprets and communicates existing and new requirements, standards, and regulations and advises and coordinate with leadership, the medical staff including recommendations and guidance for application of external regulations and standards; Initiates, plans for, communicates, monitors and evaluates actions to comply with existing and new regulations, standards and accreditation requirements. Collaborates, develops, evaluates and provides direction for continuous improvement in hospital-wide performance improvement to ensure effectiveness through data analysis and education of employees in conjunction with other department directors. Assesses the Medical Center’s compliance with federal and state regulations continued survey readiness, and participates with the Vice President, Regulatory & Accreditation, the Vice President of Quality and other directors in Quality to coach hospital leadership in survey preparation. Leads the development and implementation of corrective action plans for consistency and improvement of identified non-compliance issues and ensures timely preparation and submission of responses to survey findings. Establishes mechanisms tracking of corrective actions; Develops, implements, monitors and communicates findings of an audit program to monitor compliance with standards and regulations. Ensures efficiency, effectiveness and accuracy of data collection, analysis and reporting to drive performance improvement processes, and presents data in easy to understand dashboards that clearly display trends so as to assist department and leadership decision making. Participates in the development of annual performance improvement plan for the organization in accordance with regulatory agency requirements and the organization’s strategic plan. Partners w/ the Risk Management department to link regulatory compliance with risk management activities to reduce medical/legal liability. Advises the development and implementation of educational programs/materials to be utilized in meeting requirements of State and Federal regulations and accreditation standards. Promotes and provides quality customer service, and proactively identifies and resolves customer issues that relate to quality and performance improvement activities. Reviews protocols, policies and procedures to facilitate compliance with CMS and all other applicable accrediting organizations and regulatory bodies. Facilitates the implementation of necessary changes in practice, policy and procedures to maintain compliance with changes in regulatory requirements. Prepares department’s operating and capital budget in conjunction with the Vice President, and assists with monitoring department’s budgets and expense. Performs related duties as assigned. Some trave lmay be required. Qualifications/Requirements Experience 2 years managerial experience which includes activities associated with regulatory survey processes, development, implementation and follow-up of regulatory plans of correction in or for a hospital or health care agency. Education Bachelor’s degree, required. Satisfactory completion of 30 credits toward a Master’s degree may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to two years of the above stated experience, exclusive of the specialized experience. Education beyond the secondary level must be from an institution recognized or accredited by the Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department as a post‑secondary, degree‑granting institution. Licenses / Certifications CPHQ or Project Management certification preferred. Other Comprehensive knowledge of quality assurance functions as they relate to utilization, discharge planning, case management and medical care audits; comprehensive knowledge of the principles of health care administration; thorough knowledge of the regulatory and accreditation standards for hospitals and nursing homes and of the New York State Education Law governing licensure and registration requirements for health care practitioners; thorough knowledge of hospital routine, organization and functions; thorough knowledge of the development, coordination, and delivery of medical services; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of administrative supervising and decision making; ability to monitor and conduct analysis of hospital operating procedures, identify problems and critical factors and develop methods for corrective action; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, hospital managers, and other health care professionals which is conducive to code and standards compliance in their areas of responsibility; ability to delegate responsibility effectively, ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to organize, assemble, categorize and prepare data for reporting purposes; ability to plan and supervise the work of others; sound professional judgment; dependability; tact; discretion; integrity; resourcefulness; accuracy; initiative; physical condition commensurate with the requirements of the position. #J-18808-Ljbffr