Nursing Facility PASRR Specialist

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has an immediate opening for a Nursing Facility Specialist. The selected candidate be responsible for administering Pre-Admission Screening & Resident Reviews (PASRR) evaluations for all individuals having or suspected of having an intellectual disability or other related developmental disability pursuant to federal law that are seeking admission or continued stay in nursing facilities.

The incumbent will report to the Director of PASRR and Nursing Facility Operations. As a Regional Nursing Facility PASRR Specialist, this individual will support the Central/West; Berkshire, Springfield/Westfield, and Holyoke/Chicopee area offices. Primary office location based on regional assignment. This individual will also liaise with local DDS Area Offices regarding any DDS individuals currently residing in nursing facilities with issues that may need direction and guidance regarding interpreting MassHealth & DDS regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Conducts assessments & screenings within 3 days of receiving Pre-Admission Screening & Resident Review (PASRR) Intake and completes PASRR report within 7-9 days of the assessment and screening.
• Reviews all intake information & contacts referral sources to schedule screening; reviews infectious control and behavioral precaution information prior to conducting assessment or screening.
• Meets at the person’s home, acute hospital, psychiatric hospital, nursing facility, day program, rehabilitation hospital, homeless shelter, etc., to evaluate and provide provisional case management service.
• Interview and observe the individual with intellectual or developmental disability or family to identify any other resources or services such as diversion or respite resources needed through elder services or frail elder waiver, or other homebased community waiver administered through MassHealth.
• Takes necessary precautions when interviewing the person; (This may include putting on a protective mask and gown to prevent the spread of communicable and infectious diseases such as MRSA, CDiff, and hepatitis. It may consist of arranging for another person to be present in cases where the person has a history of assault or other threatening behavior.)
• Performs Interviews with family members, medical professionals, and service providers to obtain accurate and relevant information.
• Requests and participates in the clinical, behavioral, or medical review of the screening process as indicated on the PASRR tool.
• Completes annual reviews of individuals “Not Recommended” for Specialized Services through the PASRR screening process, to determine their continued nursing facility level of services and the finding to continue “Not Recommend” Specialized Services based on their medical complexity to receive these services.
• Determines the appropriateness of nursing facility admission or continued stay based on the following findings or to make a final determination regarding the provision of specialized services.
• Works in collaboration with DDS Area Offices in arranging pre-admission diversions and preventing inappropriate admissions of persons with ID or DD to nursing facilities.
• Conducts the Annual PASRRs for individuals with ID and DD not recommended for Specialized Services.
• Reviews “Report of Significant Change” forms received from service coordinators, and case managers and performs new PASRR screen as needed.
• Updates all DDS & NF management staff informed of the PASRR screening process results, including sending all necessary correspondence to individual, guardian, nursing facility and referral source.
• Participates in the quality review of the PASRR process, including ongoing activities regarding refinement of the process.
• Attends and schedules trainings with DDS staff, ASAPs, hospitals, specialized services providers, and nursing facilities to ensure information sharing regarding the nursing facility initiative.
• Collaborates and works closely and Area Liaisons in the admissions, diversions, discharges, and community placements for individuals in nursing facilities.
• Provides and maintains an ongoing collaboration with ASAPS (Aging Service Agencies Point of Service) hospitals, nursing facilities as related to the PASRR process and nursing facility issues and participates in regularly scheduled meetings, addressing and problem-solving regarding DDS administrative issues with discharge planning and transitions.
• Prepares comprehensive documents and represents DDS at MassHealth Board of Hearing Appeals concerning PASRR appeals.
• Administers oversight of discharge planning with area offices, families, and individuals to review barriers or to identify community placement options & transitions, identify medical and other services and including various clinical services to ensure successful community placement from a nursing facility institution.
• Supports other regions as necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of supporting people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, mental illness and acquired and traumatic head injuries.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of human services, including planning, forecasting, organizational development, etc.
• General understanding of types of supports available to individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, knowledge of infectious disease and infection control precautions.
• Expertise in data collection, development of spreadsheets, and general report writing using Access, Excel, Word, Meditech, HCSIS, databases, and other programs as needed to perform job responsibilities.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques of individuals with complex physical, medical, and psychiatric needs; broad knowledge of active treatment philosophy, programming, and federal and state standards of active treatment.
• Ability to understand and explain laws, rules, regulations, and policies (Active Treatment, DDS, MRC, MassHealth, Public Health).
• Superb ability to make decisions by examining medical, health records and documents and through questioning, interviewing, reviewing and clinical observations.
• Experienced in conducting effective oral presentations and trainings.
• Superior leadership experience, particularly in cultivating high-performing teams, and in developing and maintaining excellent relations with colleagues and constituents.
• Capacity to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to work independently and to use creative, collaborative, and consultative approaches to resolve issues.
• Skilled in making decisions by examining medical, health records and documents and through questioning, interviewing, reviewing, and clinical observations.
• Ability to provide oversight, supervision, technical assistance to the area or regional office staff.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regionally and statewide as this will be needed to attend meetings, conduct assessments and screenings, and trainings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication abilities, both written and in person.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions, makes appropriate recommendations.
• Skilled in problem-solving, consensus building and team building.
• Extensive knowledge, experience and understanding of elder resources and services, working closely with frail elders, Home Based Community Waivers, and with individuals Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Knowledge and applicable experience working with individuals with disabilities and their families, also knowledge of Medicaid, other state agencies and provide service system and community-based resources available to serve persons with disabilities or elders that support their transition to independent living.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the organizational structure and functions of DDS.
• Knowledge of DDS regulations, principles, and mission. The terminology and abbreviation.

About the Department of Developmental Services:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds