PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CONSULTANT 1 - 50285

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CONSULTANT 1

Tennessee Department of Health Services and Development Agency

Health Facilities Commission

Jackson, TN
Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN

Closing Date: 09/27/2023

I understand this recruitment advertisement will remain open until an active job is posted. Once an active job is opened, I will be notified and assigned to the posting. This recruitment will remain open until an adequate pool of candidates is established. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit all required materials as early as possible.

How you make a difference in this role:

Job Overview:

Summary:

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for surveys and investigations in health care facilities for compliance with Federal regulations and State rules; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features:

This is the entry level class in the Public Health Nursing Con sub-series. An employee in this class provides advisory services and nursing consultation to health care facilities/providers. This class differs from that of Public Health Nursing Con 2 in that an incumbent of the latter may directly supervise a staff of professional and sub-professional personnel including employees of this class or have oversight over a moderate to large statewide program.

Key Responsibilities:

Work Activities:

• Processing Information: Compiles findings from surveys, investigations, etc. of health care facilities, providers or patients that support conclusions or compliance of state and federal protocols.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Determines compliance with state and/or federal rules and regulations, and if deficient practices are identified, determines the extent of the noncompliance. Assesses factual information according to established state and federal protocols in order to reach supported conclusions. Recognizes and defines deviations from regulations and standards. Reviews state/regional plans in order to communicate and provide input to internal and external customers.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Applies federal & state rules and regulations in review and decision processes. Reviews and interprets all medical information received on each patient. Reviews information from medical records for sampled individuals to determine quality of care and compliance with state and federal rules and regulations. Conducts document reviews, observations, interviews to use the information to identify non-compliance with regulatory requirements. Monitors by observation a health care facility's infection control practice. Tours health care facilities to assess for environment.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Interprets laws, rules and regulations both state and federal in order to communicate that information to facility personnel, patients/residents, family members, complainants and peers. Translates written word into verbal examples and validates that perception with appropriate persons for use as evidence.
• Analyzing Data or Information: Organizes and interprets available information and materials in order to define existing problems. Reviews laboratory reports, patient records and histories, and disease reports. Identifies relevant information in order to investigate each allegation of a complaint. Identifies relevant information needed to survey the program utilizing specific survey protocol for each program surveyed. Reviews past performance files, current documents, observations, interviews, dietary and environmental issues and analyzes the findings to arrive at decisions concerning adherence or deviations from regulations.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Functions as a member of a team in analyzing information. Compiles and reviews information necessary to reach supported decision.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Serves as Team Leader/Coordinator by assigning tasks in accordance with protocol, which includes coordinating activities, analysis and decision making related to findings, and scheduling meetings to assess the progress and accomplish tasks for efficiency. Provides guidance and participation during completion of survey documentation. Provides support to team members when organizing training, presenting sessions, and evaluating outcomes of activities.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Enters data into computer system ensuring all documentation and maintenance of records are within the parameters of established nursing standards. Assimilates teammates' information into one computerized document using correct format and layout. Writes reports according to PRINCIPLES of DOCUMENTATION requirements provided by federal agency. Organizes written communications which are legible and are grammatically correct using state and federal documenting protocols.
• Getting Information: Conducts and/or participates in activities for obtaining needed information and or materials through observations, interviews, research, and records review to determine compliance with state and federal rules and regulations. Requests and obtains pertinent medical record information to investigate complaints against providers, healthcare facilities, or determine patient eligibility or fraud. Reviews a facility's past performance file, quality indicator reports, or complaint/incident file prior to the onsite survey.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Coordinates all aspects of survey activities when serving as team coordinator or when surveying independently. Adheres to specific protocols provided by the state and federal agencies to accomplish all phases of assignments. Prioritizes job responsibilities and tasks in order to complete the work at hand.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Ensures confidential information/materials are not compromised. Serves as a resource person for the agency when communicating with nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living establishments, home health agencies, and other community partners.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assesses the quality of care and services provided to recipients of health care facilities by utilizing specific survey protocol.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Coordinates and plans team surveys of health care facilities. Coordinates with co-workers and external customers in order to achieve program goals. Organizes daily work in order to meet time sensitive deadlines.
• Developing and Building Teams: Assists peers in training activities by sharing knowledge and skills. Assists other teammates with assignments when their workloads become more pressing during group assignments. Notifies team members as soon as possible of schedule changes when functioning as team coordinator.
• Thinking Creatively: Analyzes current processes and assists in development of innovative processes in order to improve program efficiency.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Communicates and documents programmatic issues and/or concerns during survey process with management, survey team and facility. Interprets and adheres to appropriate lines of communication.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Makes frequent contact with community partners in order to establish and maintain open lines of communication. Assists in the orientation and training of new employees as requested. Assists others in the completion of their assignments.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Serves as a mentor for other less experienced staff for each mastered program. Provides verbal and written guidance of protocols and program knowledge. Shares prior surveyor knowledge and skills with surveyors new to the survey process. Identifies needs of new hires in the field and provides guidance and resources as appropriate. Provide technical and educational assistance to community partners, and other agencies who request it.
• Interacting With Computers: Edits exported data to compile final reports. Records observations and interviews utilizing a tablet computer. Imports/exports data prior to/following data collection. Enters data/information into various computer programs using required documentation format. Uses web-based computer program to input time and labor and travel expense claims. Uses state and/or federal program applications on a daily basis. Receives and sends e-mail messages to coordinate scheduling, guidance, and other work-related functions.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspects facility or office environments to determine if environmental safety guidelines are met. Maintains and inspects agency equipment following manufactures' specifications in order to assure efficient and accurate operation.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Maintains working knowledge of new regulations, regulatory revisions and application of regulations in various settings. Assists in the orientation and training of new employees as requested. Participates in called meetings, programmatic conference calls, and planned conferences related to particular field. Attends mandatory in-service and training programs.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Carries and inputs data into portable computer while conducting survey and documenting findings in computer at time of review, observation or interview. Enters all areas of facility for inspection purposes and for validation of information. Walks throughout large Health Care Facilities; stands, stoops and bends torso in order to observe the facility staff providing patient care/procedures for several hours. Stands long periods while holding computer in order to compile findings according to federal protocols. Carries required survey materials on site weighing approximately 25 lbs.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Maintains appropriate records of agency inventory and property.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Provides knowledgeable assistance as needed to internal and external entities in a courteous manner.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Possesses adequate driving skills to navigate large cities and small towns on both interstate and rural roads. Drives state or personally owned automobile in all road conditions at any given time (i.e., day or night) for long periods to reach worksite destination.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in nursing and experience equivalent to three (3) years of full-time increasingly responsible professional nursing work. A valid registered nurse license in good standing is required.

Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time experience in nursing may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two (2) years.

Substitution of Graduate Education for Experience: Additional graduate coursework in nursing may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of one (1) year.

Required Experience:

Necessary Special Qualifications:

Applicants for this class must:

• A valid registered nursing license in good standing is required.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle license.

Competencies (KSA’s):

Competencies:

• Integrity and Trust
• Decision Quality
• Planning
• Approachability
• Problem Solving
• Written Communications
• Organizational Agility
• Priority Setting
• Ethics and Values
• Perseverance
• Composure
• Knowledge:
• Clerical
• Administration and Management
• Computers and Electronics
• Education and Training
• Public Safety and Security

Skills:

• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Learning Strategies
• Skill to use scientific rules and methods to solve problems
• Skill in the application of professional nursing techniques
• Time Management
• Management of Personnel Resources
• Social Perceptiveness

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Stamina
• Dynamic Strength
• Static Strength - must be able to lift at least 25 pounds
• Trunk Strength
• Selective Attention
• Night Vision
• Finger Dexterity

Tools and Equipment Used:

• Personal Computer
• Telephone
• Printer
• Various Medical Devices and Equipment

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State’s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.