QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR (NURSING HOME)

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  The work involves the responsibility for planning and overseeing a comprehensive quality assurance program to ensure compliance with state and federally mandated nursing and resident care quality standards in a residential facility.  The incumbent performs a variety of standards compliance functions including those related to staff development, in-service training, quality assurance, patient review and infection control.  The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Director of Nursing Services or designee with leeway permitted for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out specific duties.  The incumbent is expected to work as a team member in promoting excellence in nursing standards.  Does related duties as required and assigned.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Plans, organizes, directs and monitors the education and training programs for all staff
     members;
Collaborates and provides advisement to specific departments regarding employees
     educational/training needs;
Plans and conducts facility-wide new employee orientations, mandatory in services,
     reviews of nursing skills and prepares documentation related to probationary
    
evaluations;
Plans and maintains an infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and
     comfortable environment;
Conducts quality assurance projects as they relate to survey readiness;
Participates in staff meetings/conferences involving the coordination of the in service
     education program.
May serve as coordinator/instructor for the Certified Nursing Assistant certification
     program;
Advises the facility administrator, Director of Nursing, and/or Department Heads regarding potential resident care or life problems;
Prepares a variety of related records and reports;
Evaluates service provision to assure quality standards, emergency preparedness policies,
     elated audits, evaluations, and employee health;
May perform basic resident care, including the passing of medications.

The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Thorough knowledge of current theory and practice in quality assurance, control techniques, or risk analysis as it relates to a residential medical facility; good knowledge of training techniques; ability to plan, direct and conduct in-service training programs; ability to learn and use computers and software used for maintaining required health facility records; ability to understand and carry out technical oral and written directions; ability to read, comprehend, and interpret current and future state and federal rules and regulations related to health care; ability to communicate orally and in writing; ability to use visual and audio equipment for training purposes; ability to secure the cooperation of others; attention to detail; good observation skills; mental alertness; good judgment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, bend, stoop, pull and push, use hand to finger, handles or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is required to walk, stand for long periods of time, talk and hear.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds and position residents as needed.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus and to visually observe residents.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:  Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education, AND EITHER:

 

     A.                Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college or
                     university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, and two years of full time
                     paid nursing experience in the area of quality assurance, risk management, or
                     in service teaching;

OR

     B.                 Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered three year school
                      of professional nursing, and three years of full time paid nursing experience
                      in the area of quality assurance, risk management, or in service teaching;

 OR

      C.                 Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered two year college
                       with and Associate’s Degree in Nursing and four years of full time paid
                       nursing experience in the area of quality assurance, risk management, or in
                       service teaching.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT AND CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT:   Possession of a nursing license issued by the State of New York to practice as a Registered Practical Nurse.

 

Competitive Class

Adopted:  3/24/00