Director of Patient Care Services Designee

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Director of Patient Care Services Designee

Job Description

Reports To:

Administrator

Appointed By:

Governing Body (in writing)

Regulatory Ref:

22 CCR §§ 74800(a)(17), 74852, 74880 | 42 CFR Part 418 | ACHC Hospice Standards

Effective Date:

June 22, 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Patient Care Services (DPCS) is a licensed registered nurse appointed in writing by the Governing Body who is responsible for the clinical direction and supervision of all patient care services. The DPCS establishes, implements, and evaluates goals and objectives for hospice clinical services that meet and promote standards of quality, and contributes to the total organization philosophy. The DPCS provides leadership for the clinical team, ensures that patient care complies with all applicable federal and California state regulations and ACHC accreditation standards, and reports to the Administrator.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinating and overseeing all direct and indirect patient services provided by clinical personnel.

• Providing guidance and counseling to Clinical Supervisors to assist them in continually improving all aspects of hospice care services.

• Assisting Clinical Supervisors in managing clinical teams and planning; assisting with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient and family/caregiver care.

• Assisting the Administrator in the preparation and administration of the organization's budget.

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

• Evaluating performance of Clinical/Nursing Supervisors; assisting supervisors to develop skills and techniques in evaluating the performance of clinicians.

• Hiring, evaluating, and terminating organization personnel in accordance with applicable law and hospice policy.

• Conducting annual evaluations on clinicians, or more frequently as indicated.

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

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

• Maintaining adequate and appropriate inventory of supplies and equipment for the provision of patient services.

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating the orientation program for new organization personnel.

• Planning and implementing in-service and continuing education programs to meet education and training needs of organization personnel.

• Assisting with evaluation of organization performance via the QAPI program, productivity reviews, and quarterly and annual reviews; ensuring quality and safe delivery of hospice services.

• Assisting in the development of organization goals; developing, recommending, and administering organization policies and procedures.

• Ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal laws regarding licensure and certification of organization personnel, and maintaining compliance with ACHC Hospice Standards.

• Staying informed about changes in the field of nursing and hospice care; sharing information with appropriate organization personnel.

• Promoting hospice referrals in the health care community.

• Acting as Administrator in the absence of the Administrator, as vested by the Administrator.

Regulatory-Specific Responsibilities (22 CCR §§ 74848, 74852, 74864, 74868, 74872):

• Appointing and overseeing the patient acuity system review committee, which must convene at least annually and must include at least half registered nurses who provide direct patient care (§ 74848(i)).

• Ensuring the patient acuity system is reviewed for accuracy and any required adjustments are resolved and implemented within 30 days of determination.

• Ensuring interdisciplinary team initial assessments are completed by a registered nurse within 48 hours of patient admission, in the location where the patient receives services (§ 74864(a)).

• Ensuring comprehensive assessments are completed by all IDT members within 5 days of admission and updated no less than every 15 days (§ 74864(b)-(c)).

• Ensuring individualized plans of care are developed, implemented, and reviewed no less than every 15 days, in collaboration with the attending physician (§§ 74868, 74872).

• Overseeing staffing plans and patient acuity systems to ensure appropriate nurse-to-patient caseloads.

• Notifying CDPH within 10 business days of any change in DPCS or DPCS Designee, by submitting the required change of Director of Patient Care Services application per § 74828(b).

• Ensuring any vacancy in the DPCS or DPCS Designee positions is filled within 60 days of occurrence.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this position. The DPCS may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Director of Patient Care Services Designee

JOB DESCRIPTION ADDENDUM

Appointed By:

Administrator

Regulatory Ref:

22 CCR §§ 74800(a)(18), 74852(c)-(f)

Primary JD:

See Director of Patient Care Services Job Description

Effective Date:

June 22, 2026

PURPOSE OF THIS ADDENDUM

This addendum supplements the Director of Patient Care Services Job Description. All qualifications, training requirements, and essential job functions set forth in the Director of Patient Care Services Job Description apply equally to the Director of Patient Care Services Designee. This document addresses the specific appointment authority, scope, and regulatory obligations unique to the Designee role.

ROLE AND SCOPE

• The Director of Patient Care Services Designee assumes all responsibilities and obligations of the Director of Patient Care Services when the Director of Patient Care Services is not available.
• When not acting in the Designee capacity, the individual may hold other roles within the hospice consistent with their licensure and qualifications.
• The Director of Patient Care Services Designee must maintain sufficient familiarity with all hospice operations, policies, and regulatory requirements to fulfill the Director of Patient Care Services role without interruption to care or compliance.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Regulatory Requirements — California (22 CCR § 74852(b)):

The following qualifications are mandated by California emergency regulations effective June 22, 2026. The candidate must hold a current and valid California Registered Nurse license AND meet the requirements of EITHER Option 1 or Option 2 below:

• Option 1: Registered nurse (RN) with a baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing or other health-related field, AND a minimum of two (2) years of full-time supervisory or managerial experience in a hospice or home health agency within the last five (5) years.

• Option 2: Registered nurse (RN) with a minimum of four (4) years of full-time supervisory or managerial experience in a hospice or home health agency within the last five (5) years.

In addition, all of the following must be met:

• No disciplinary action taken against the individual within the last seven (7) years (22 CCR § 74832(b)).

• Must not hold concurrent employment as DPCS or DPCS Designee at another hospice, except that concurrent employment at no more than two (2) hospices is permitted if both are located in the same rural area (22 CCR § 74852(e)-(f)).

IMPORTANT — Experience Scope: Under 22 CCR § 74852(b), the required supervisory or managerial experience must be in a hospice or home health agency specifically. Experience in other health care settings (e.g., hospital, skilled nursing facility, primary care clinic) does not satisfy this regulatory requirement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Nursing, health care administration, or a related health field.

• Five (5) or more years of nursing management experience in a hospice or home health setting.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and direct professional and administrative personnel.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to deal tactfully with customers and the community.

• Valid California driver's license with automobile insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements.

• Knowledge of business management, governmental regulations, and ACHC accreditation standards.

• Knowledge of Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation (42 CFR Part 418) and California hospice licensure requirements.

CONCURRENT EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS

• A DPCS or DPCS Designee must not have concurrent employment with another hospice, except as permitted for rural areas (no more than two hospices in the same rural area) under 22 CCR § 74852(e)-(f).

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS (22 CCR § 74880)

New Hire Orientation — All Management Personnel:

• Must complete a minimum of 20 hours of new hire orientation training within 60 days of hire, as provided by the hospice. Topics include regulatory agency oversight, licensing requirements, basic hospice services, hospice administration, human resource management, and comprehensive review of policies and procedures and patient care requirements.

First-Time DPCS Training:

An individual who has never previously served as DPCS or DPCS Designee at a California hospice must complete ONE of the following within the first 12 months of hire:

• A total of 24 hours of educational training covering: clinical direction and support for hospice staff, patients, and families; effective leadership and communication; ethical and professional conduct; and hospice regulatory requirements; OR

• A hospice certification program covering: patient care assessment and planning; pain and symptom management; support, education, and advocacy for patients, representatives, caregivers, and families; and regulatory compliance and practical considerations.

Annual Training — All Management Personnel:

• Minimum of 12 hours of annual training (each 12-month period from date of hire), covering hospice policies and procedures and patient care requirements per § 74880(e).

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE NOTE: The qualifications set forth in 22 CCR § 74852, effective June 22, 2026 (CDPH DPH-18-002E), establish the legally required minimum standards for this position. The regulatory experience requirement is limited to hospice or home health agency settings. Any individual appointed to this position must affirmatively meet all regulatory minimums prior to appointment. This job description supersedes prior versions to the extent any prior version conflicts with the current California emergency regulations.

Director of Patient Care Services Designee

JOB DESCRIPTION ADDENDUM

APPOINTMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Director of Patient Care Services Designee is appointed in writing by the Administrator (22 CCR § 74852(c)).

The individual must meet all qualifications set forth in the Director of Patient Care Services Job Description — the regulatory qualification standard is identical.

No disciplinary action taken against the individual within the last seven (7) years (22 CCR § 74832(b)).

Must not hold concurrent employment as DPCS or DPCS Designee at another hospice, except that concurrent employment at no more than two (2) hospices is permitted if both are located in the same rural area (22 CCR § 74852(e)-(f)). Experience qualifying for this position must be in a hospice or home health agency specifically.

VACANCY AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Any vacancy in the Director of Patient Care Services Designee position must be filled within 60 days of occurrence (22 CCR § 74852(g)).

CDPH must be notified within 10 business days of appointment by submitting the required change application per 22 CCR § 74828(b).

If the position cannot be filled within 60 days, a written extension request must be submitted to CDPH with evidence of recruitment efforts, including copies of job advertisements and this job description, and a demonstration that the extension will not diminish the quality of patient care.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS (22 CCR § 74880)

Must complete a minimum of 20 hours of new hire orientation training within 60 days of hire (§ 74880(d)).

An individual who has never previously served as Director of Patient Care Services or DPCS Designee at a California hospice must complete 24 hours of clinical management training or a hospice certification program within the first 12 months of hire (§ 74880(c)).

Minimum of 12 hours of annual training each 12-month period from date of hire (§ 74880(e)).

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE NOTE : This addendum and the Director of Patient Care Services Job Description together constitute the complete job description for the Director of Patient Care Services Designee position for purposes of CDPH licensure, ACHC accreditation, and personnel file documentation. Both documents should be maintained together in the employee's personnel record and submitted together in any CDPH extension request per 22 CCR Chapter 6.5.