FACILITY ADVISORY NURSE II

DEFINITION

This is mid-level professional nursing work for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services inspecting, investigating, and/or consulting in surveying long-term care facilities including facilities for the mentally retarded and mentally ill, to determine compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, certification, and licensure requirements.

This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Participates in on-site inspections and surveys of long-term care facilities that are licensed and/or certified for participation in the Medicare/Medicaid programs.

Participates in surveys, inspections, and investigations of complaints filed by the public and others.

Participates in follow-up visits, reviews corrective action plans; makes recommendations for state and/or federal penalty assessments and/or federal remedies in situations where state licensing and/or federal regulations are not met within specified time limits.

Reviews facility and/or provider informal disputes of issued violations; participates in exit conferences on findings.

Provides information to state agency staff, providers, and the public in the areas of regulations, policies, adult day care, employee disqualification list, nurse assistant registry, and complaints.

Participates in the inspection of facilities requiring the application of nursing principles, evaluation of social, physical, and mental health situations, and special areas of concern for geriatric and disabled populations.

Ensures facility compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and agency policies.

Conducts survey findings which may result in recommendations for enforcement actions against deficient facilities or service providers.

Communicates with state agency and facility staff and others.

Inspects facilities to assess residents' level of care needs and to determine the quality and appropriateness of nursing care; provision of social services or active treatment.

Reviews medical charts of selected residents and each Medicaid recipient of a facility to examine medical orders, doctor's and nurses' notes, laboratory work, drug prescriptions, physical examinations, diagnoses, treatment plans, and other similar information in order to note any deficiencies or inconsistencies in standards and practices.

Prepares detailed reports, in cooperation with other survey specialists, on survey findings; makes on-site follow-up visits to determine that corrections have been made.

Participates in evaluating programs and procedures to improve operational efficiency.

Provides technical assistance and consultation to facility staff in areas such as nursing care; dietetic services and nutrition; physical, occupational, speech, recreational, or music therapy; geriatrics; social services; mental retardation and/or mental illness.

Assists in recruiting and training survey staff.

Explains licensure or certification requirements and discusses the programs with providers; consults on methods to improve the quality of services and the ability of providers to meet requirements and/or standards.

Presents evidence or participates in hearings and other administrative proceedings related to institutions not meeting standards for licensure and/or certification.

Presents evidence or participates in hearings and other administrative proceedings, including but not limited to those related to individuals recommended for placement on the employee disqualification list.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, and other concerned individuals or groups.

Participates in meetings and conferences relating to resident care and the operation of facilities and assists in meetings with facility representatives.

Travels, which may include overnight stays, to facilities to conduct surveys, inspections, complaint investigations, and provide technical assistance.

Exercises significant independence and initiative in the performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Intermediate knowledge of professional nursing principles and practices.

Intermediate knowledge of gerontology, mental health, and mental retardation treatment and care.

Intermediate knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and codes applicable to the licensure and certification of facilities.

Intermediate knowledge of social and emotional effects of various mental and physical disabilities and the provisions of active treatment for the mentally disabled.

Intermediate knowledge of the theory, nature, and objectives of the licensure and certification programs.

Intermediate knowledge of the functions, services, needs, and operating procedures of long-term care facilities.

Intermediate knowledge of pharmacology, therapeutic diets and nutrition, and infection control as related to quality of resident care.

Ability to investigate facilities and analyze findings.

Ability to interpret federal and state laws, regulations, and codes applicable to the licensure and certification of facilities.

Ability to express ideas in an effective and concise manner.

Ability to function effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Ability to work with the staff of facilities under the licensing and certification program.

Ability to travel as required by work assignments.

Ability to use computer programs and applications effectively.

Ability to compile, present, and interpret reports and related data concerning facility operations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and staff of facilities under the licensing and certification programs.

Ability to use instruments and tools, including personal computers, to perform surveys, inspections, and/or investigations.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (assignment by position)

Successful completion of the Federal Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test within two years of the date of appointment for all positions, except those that exclusively survey intermediate-care facilities for the mentally retarded and/or mentally ill.

Possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Missouri at the time of appointment.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

( The following requirements will determine merit system eligibility, experience and education ratings, and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers. When practical and possible, the Division of Personnel will accept substitution of experience and education on a year-for-year basis .)

One or more years of experience as a Facility Advisory Nurse I with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Nursing; and,

Two or more years of experience as a Registered Nurse (RN).

(Earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in Nursing may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience at a rate of 24 earned credit hours for one year of experience.)

(Additional qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the required education.)

(Minor Revision 10/18/06 )