Certification Specialist, Assisted Living

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE) is seeking a qualified, skilled, and motivated candidate to fill the Certification Specialist position within AGE's Assisted Living Certification Unit. The Certification Specialist is part of a team whose primary responsibility is to monitor the ongoing operations of all currently certified Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) in MA in accordance with the Assisted Living regulations (651 CMR 12.00). The work responsibilities require extensive travel statewide to conduct onsite compliance inspections at the ALRs, which include the review of employee and resident files and ALR operating policies and procedures to ensure resident safety and security in accordance with state regulations. Other responsibilities of the position include issuing a formal notice of compliance review findings; reviewing corrective action plans submitted by ALRs; reviewing and following up on reported incidents, complaints, and grievances; conducting in-depth investigations when warranted; responding to inquiries from the consumer and industry representatives; and working collaboratively with agency staff at AGE and other Executive Office of Health and Human Service agencies when required. This role will travel across the state of Massachusetts to many of the 272 ALR buildings within the Commonwealth that support thousands of older adults and families. This position is required to travel an average of 2 days per week to ALR communities across Massachusetts. In addition, one day per week is required in the AGE Boston office. The remaining workdays may be performed remotely.

Requirements

• Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
• Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience. II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience. III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
• Proficiency in utilizing current technology, including hardware (tablets/computers/cell phones), and associated office software (Access, Excel, Word, Adobe).
• Ability to prepare general and statistical reports and maintain accurate records.
• Knowledge of public health or medical care administration and policy development.
• Specific knowledge and/or experience involving audits or onsite compliance review of health and human service settings.
• Possession of a current and valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and ability to regularly travel statewide.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Massachusetts Assisted Living regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ongoing on-site compliance review (a minimum of two per week) at ALRs located throughout the Commonwealth in accordance with the annual schedule for recertification.
• Conduct follow-up site visits when needed to determine ongoing compliance with rules and regulations for ALR certification.
• Respond to inquiries into Resident care issues identified during the site visit process, through the incident reporting system, consumer complaints, and referrals from within and outside AGE.
• The scope of the inquiries and reviews will include all aspects of the ALR’s operation ranging from proper pre-admission assessment and service planning, BHS program (where applicable), issues associated with medication management safety (proper assessment of Resident ability to manage medications, medication assistance and administration procedures, documentation, errors) to incidents of elopement, abuse and/or neglect, acute behavioral emergencies, incidents resulting in significant injury or negative health outcome, and unanticipated deaths.
• Conduct and oversee all required inquiries and provides guidance to ALR’s on the MA ALR regulations, standards of practice/procedures and related Resident care concerns.
• Participate in the development of methods of evaluating and determining the ALR’s compliance with the regulations, the utilization of existing policies and practices that promote Resident health and safety.
• Perform quality audits of ALR responses to incident reports that are associated with medication and healthcare issues to ensure that information requested from each ALR is consistent and appropriate for the related circumstances, and that the documentation submitted by the ALR is reviewed to determine if any additional follow-up is needed.
• Consult with AGE staff in the discussion and development of policy and procedures and during the process of regulatory updates / changes proposed.
• Evaluate the quality of basic health services provided in ALRs and be responsible for maintaining policies and procedures that echo the MA ALR regulations.
• Assist with onboarding and training newly hired certification specialist staff as needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees