Monday, November 3, 2008

Director of Patient Services (Full-Time), The ALS Association - Western Pennsylvania - West Virginia Chapter - Pittsburgh, PA

Posted: 11/3/08

Job Title: Director of Patient Services
Fair Labor Standards Act Status:  Exempt, Full-Time                  
Reports To:  Executive Director   
Manage: Patient Services Staff                
Department:  Patient Services                             

Summary: Oversees patient service staff, budget, strategic plan and resources to facilitate the uniform delivery of high quality patient services, and programs to patients and families in the Chapter service area, keeping with the Chapter mission statement by performing the following duties.

Qualifications:

• MSW, related degree or Registered Nurse with experience in community health or neurological patient care.  Minimum of 5 years experience in a human services organization with supervisory experience at a senior management level required.  An
  equivalent combination of education and experience in an appropriate area could be considered.
• Familiarity with Case Management or Service Coordination desirable.
• Ability to use computer effectively including specifically MS Word, MS Excel, email proficiency.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation to meet service area demands and carry current independent professional liability insurance.
• Must be able to use independent judgment as well as work collaboratively with staff and outside health care providers to assess the needs of patients.
• Willing to travel to outlying areas to meet with patients, families and health care providers.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.  Must be able to interact with clients for long periods of time via telephone.
• Some evenings and weekends will be required.
• Demonstrates professional maturity, excellent leadership qualities and compassion for those we serve. 
• Commitment to The ALS Association’s mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds to patient and family inquiries for information and referrals including all referrals received from the Chapter Office, for service region.
• Confirm date of diagnosis, patient name and address, name and relationship of caller, clarify questions, suggest second opinion (if needed), offer information packet.
• Respond to e-mail and phone inquiries in timely manner.   
• Organize, copy, file and mail information packets.
• Create check list / letter for further information.
• Log each call, and dates of mailings in Donor Pro.
• Develop and maintain information on local resources.      
• Phone or obtain information packets from local resources such as home health organizations, nursing homes, community agencies & hospice to contribute to WPWV Chapter Resource Files.
• Develop familiarity with these resources; establish and maintain relationships with other service providers and resource referrals.
• Schedule home visits or in-person meeting with PALS in service region.           
• Conduct a needs assessment on each PALS and family visited using professional discretion and problem solving skills.
• Connect family with local resources.
• Log visits (travel distance, time, brief summary of contact / intervention) in Donor Pro provide follow up in timely manner, e.g. call community resources, mail information, refer to clinic visit, home visit contact care providers if appropriate.  Must be able to use independent judgment as well as work with fellow health providers to access patient needs.
• Maintain and oversee accurate records on patient visits and interactions.
• Add new contacts, changes of address, etc. to Donor Pro Database.
• Assist and oversee with the management of local equipment loan program.
• Maintain equipment loan records including all new donations, value and location of equipment.
• Facilitate, maintain and continue development of support groups in service area.
• Coordinate monthly support groups in region including topics, room scheduling, volunteer assistance and providing follow up for questions and issues that arise from meeting.
• Participate as Patient Advocate with local ALS Clinic and other health care professionals.
• Attend ALS Multi-disciplinary Clinics at partnering hospitals.  
• Provide in-services to health care agencies vital to ALS patients.
• Facilitate efforts of regional medical centers to improve clinical care for patient with ALS.
• Service coordination and monitoring of outside service providers.
• Contributes or reviews articles pertaining to patient care and information for the Chapter newsletter.
• Contributes articles to the Chapter newsletter as well as the PALS (Persons with ALS) Press for a total of 6 newsletters relevant to regional services.
• Encourage stories from PALS / families as needed.
• Maintains updated information on ALS, ALS specific research, patient care techniques, and equipment.
• Be knowledgeable of pertinent ALS news information and current research projects. 
• Research resource equipment options and technology options as patient needs arise- share new knowledge with Patient Services and staff.
• Participates in continuing education seminars, workshops and conferences as available and necessary.  
• Attend meetings & conference calls (National Research, Patient Services Committee, etc.) and at request of ED or PSC Chair.
• Work with Patient Services Staff, Committee and Chair to plan annual symposium for PALS / families.
• Manage and oversee PS staff, programming, budget and strategic planning.
• Contribute to the patient services budget development and ongoing monitoring of expenditures. 
• Counsel and evaluate staff on an ongoing and annual basis.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Patient Services Committee of the Board of Directors.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the patient services strategic plan, including monitoring, evaluation and modification.
• Develop management reporting via DonorPro for monitoring of prevalence penetration and resource utilization.
• Establish and implement needs assessments and surveys for patient services programs.
• Provide recommendations to the Executive Director and Patient Services Committee regarding current/future Patient Services programs.
• Supervise staff and coordinate activities, such as the coordination of annual performance reviews with Executive Director.

Additional duties and activities as required.

TO APPLY: Please send resume, cover letter, and desired salary range to the following by December 15, 2008:
Director of Patient Services Search Committee
416 Lincoln Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Or via email to: Melissa Fera, Associate Director at: Melissa@cure4als.org

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Dewey & Kaye Jobs Watch in your cover letter when applying for this position.

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