DEPUTY CHIEF CLINICAL AFFAIRS AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS at Manatee County Government – Bradenton, Florida

Work Location: Public Safety Complex- 2101 47th Ter E. Bradenton, FL 34203
Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Expected Starting Annual Range: $80,143.32 - $106,189.90

Serves as Compliance Officer for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division of the Manatee County Public Safety Department. Responsible for regulatory reporting, continuous quality assurance, and process improvement. Evaluates the effectiveness of EMS treatment and equipment in emergency response, and compliance with all State, Federal, and local laws and regulations.

Note: FRS Retirement Class: Special Risk.

Note: This position is designated by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners as serving at the will and pleasure of the County Administrator. Employment in this position is at will and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Nothing in this job posting, any application materials, or any related communications shall be construed to create a contract of employment or to limit the County Administrator’s authority to terminate the appointment at any time, with or without cause and with or without prior notice, subject only to applicable law.

Working Conditions
Typical indoor office environment. Periodic outdoor field work required, possibly in adverse weather conditions. Sitting for long periods of time, working on computer. Lifting equipment or supplies up to 25 pounds alone and up to 50 pounds with assistance. May be required to lift and carry patients weighing in excess of 250 pounds, with assistance, without causing harm or aggravating injuries to the patient. Position requires visual acuity and depth perception, as well as ability to hear and identify sounds. Regularly required to drive County vehicles as part of the duties of the job. Occasional high stress situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens. Periodically required to work other than normal business hours, including nights and weekends.

This is a safety-sensitive position. Employment screenings will be conducted in compliance with applicable federal and Florida Laws. An applicant/employee who fails to pass a drug/alcohol screening shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of three (3) years.

Essential Functions
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Serves as the Public Safety Department Compliance Officer. Designs, develops, and implements performance improvement and quality assurance activities that meet accreditation and regulatory requirements.

Serves as the Internal Affairs Officer for Emergency Medical Services Division, the incumbent is responsible for receiving and monitoring both internal and external complaints. Working in collaboration with state and federal government agencies tasked with conducting compliance reviews, audits, and investigations. The Officer evaluates the complaints with the EMS Chief to determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with established policies, either for further investigation or resolution.

Advises EMS leadership of accreditation compliance issues and recommends corrective action plans. Assists with on-site inspections and assessments for accreditation compliance. Provides accreditation training for division personnel (e.g., CAAS, CAMTS, Mission: Lifeline)

Serves as the primary contact for the Patient Safety Organization (PSO), the State Bureau of EMS, and other regulatory agencies.

Reviews all aspects of emergency medical services responses, including but not limited to, emergency medical dispatch, response times, radio protocol compliance, medical protocol compliance, patient care and treatment, patient report to hospital (via radio or telephone), patient care documentation, and compliance to patient confidentiality standards.

In conjunction with the contract Medical Director, reviews the community-based EMS medical protocols and makes recommendations for improvement.

Employs "Just Culture" principles to conduct root cause analysis and proactive mitigation for clinical errors; coordinates formal Peer Review investigations and mediates inter-organizational clinical reviews

Manages multiple data registries and coordinates with other data registrars to develop data integration for the EMS system. Prepares statistical reports and analyses to improve the services provided within the organization. Participates in state-wide data collection project. Prepares and analyzes periodic reports

for the Department, County, and State (CARES, NEMSIS and others).

Facilitates clinical investigations to include gathering information and conducting interviews; coordinating with the Medical Director; mediating inter-organizational clinical reviews and investigations; providing recommendations for action; communicating with providers as well as supervisory and management staff members regarding clinical investigations.

Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls to assist and evaluate responding EMS crews. Evaluates the effectiveness of EMS treatment and equipment in emergency response, and ensures compliance with all State, Federal, and local regulations. Provides patient care including both basic and advanced life support procedures when needed.

Reviews and evaluates department operations, processes, policies, and procedures. Recommends improvements to enhance compliance, safety, and service delivery.

Educates and mentors system providers and stakeholders to include completing quarterly and yearly analysis of individual provider quality assurance data and provides feedback utilizing standardized communication to providers based on results; developing and delivering presentations of clinical data and EMS system performance; communicating with individual providers to determine needs and providing performance improvement feedback in a positive manner.

Utilizes advanced statistical modeling to measure and improve clinical and operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) at the 90th percentile (e.g., pain management, ROSC rates, stroke/cardiac/sepsis alert accuracy), providing quarterly reports to EMS Leadership and the Medical Director.

Monitors and reviews EMS patient billing operations. Interacts with Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies, and other payment providers.

Acts as primary contact with area hospitals and local fire departments regarding patient care. Meets with hospital and fire department representatives to discuss service quality. Reports any findings or issues to EMS leadership team. Maintains positive and effective relationships with hospital and fire department representatives.

Serves as the Public Safety Department's liaison to the County's HIPAA Privacy Officer and the State Bureau of EMS.

Acts as systems administrator of EMS computer applications. Participates in hardware and software selection. Performs installation and maintenance of applications and hardware. Collaborates with the software vendor and County Information Technology Department.

Researches possible uses of new technology and medications.

Provides training and guidance to EMS employees on best practices in service delivery.

Maintains knowledge and understanding of current best practices, trends, laws, and issues affecting area of expertise. Upon approval, attends educational events that will increase professional knowledge and be otherwise beneficial to the County.

Fulfills essential roles in the County’s emergency response/recovery tasks during extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes) or community-wide emergencies.

Performs other related duties as assigned, including participation in emergency or disaster response activities, as required and consistent with the employee’s qualifications, essential job functions, and applicable federal and Florida law.

Associate's degree in emergency medical services, nursing, public safety administration, business administration, or related field; bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Five (5) or more years of experience as a licensed lead paramedic in a transporting ALS 911 system.

Two (2) or more years in a supervisory role in an EMS 911 system or a healthcare setting.

Demonstrated experience in developing, managing, or coordinating clinical quality management, process improvement, or compliance programs.

The following current certifications and licenses are required: Florida State Paramedic, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS).

Must possess, or obtain within one (1) year of hire, the following National Academy of Ambulance Compliance certifications: Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer (CACO), Certified Ambulance Coder (CAC), Certified Ambulance Documentation Specialist (CADS), and Certified Ambulance Privacy Officer (CAPO).

OSHA 30 General Industry certification is required within one (1) year of hire.

Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM), or approved equivalent, is required within two (2) years of hire.

IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800 ,ICS-300, and ICS-400 are required within one (1) year of hire.

Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.

National Registry Paramedic (NRP), Community Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic certifications preferred.

BLS/ACLS instructor and NAEMT instructor certifications (AMLS, EPC, EVOS, PHTLS, PEPL, and Safety), preferred.

Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO) certification preferred.

Advanced proficiency in ePCR software and analytics reporting preferred.

NAAC Certified Ambulance Financial Officer (CAFO), or experience in EMS billing and records management, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills using excellent grammar, punctuation, and spelling to explain, teach, and learn. Able to influence others regarding policies, practices, and procedures.

Ability to plan work assignments to assure exemplary customer service and mutually beneficial results. Ability to make logical adjustments in methods or procedures. Accurate, detail-oriented, and organized. Able to analyze and resolve difficult and sometimes complex situations and problems.

Advanced knowledge of EMS operations, systems, and procedures.

Ability to demonstrate initiative and independent judgment in dealing effectively with ambiguity, recognizing trends, identifying approaches and offering a variety of options and solutions to solve problems.

Extensive knowledge of basic and advanced techniques, procedures, and equipment used in the provision of out-of-hospital medical procedures and treatment.

Strong knowledge and understanding of quality assurance techniques within an EMS setting.

Strong knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job responsibilities, including Florida statutes and regulations related to EMS, and departmental and county policies and procedures.

Advanced knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.

Able to influence others regarding policies, practices, and procedures.

Able to work within the confines of a collective bargaining agreement with the workforce.

Able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

Ability to interact and communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization with tact and diplomacy.