Compliance Officer

NewVista Behavioral Health

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Compliance Officer Position Overview: The EMS Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department adheres to all local, state, and federal regulations, industry standards, and organizational policies. This role involves comprehensive oversight of compliance programs, auditing, monitoring, training, and continuous improvement of EMS operations to maintain the highest standards of patient care, safety, and regulatory adherence. The EMS Compliance Officer will collaborate with various internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that promote a culture of compliance, ethical behavior, and risk management within the EMS department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field or equivalent experience.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in EMS or healthcare compliance.
Experience with regulatory agencies and audit processes.
Strong knowledge of EMS regulations and compliance requirements.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and compliance management software.

Nice To Haves

Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer (CACO) or similar certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor and Interpret Regulations: Stay current with local, state, and federal regulations related to EMS operations, including OSHA, HIPAA, CMS, and other healthcare and safety standards.
Policy Development: Develop, update, and implement compliance policies and procedures to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and organizational standards.
Licensing and Certification: Ensure that all EMS personnel maintain the necessary certifications and licenses, and that the EMS service meets the licensure requirements of relevant regulatory bodies.
Audit and Inspection Preparation: Prepare for and manage regulatory inspections and audits, including those from state EMS authorities, the Joint Commission, and other accreditation bodies.
Documentation and Reporting: Maintain detailed records of compliance activities, incidents, corrective actions, and communications with regulatory agencies.
Compliance Monitoring and Auditing: Internal Audits: Conduct regular internal audits of EMS operations, patient care reports (PCRs), billing practices, and clinical protocols to identify and mitigate compliance risks.
Data Analysis: Analyze audit results, incident reports, and compliance data to identify trends, risks, and areas for improvement.
Corrective Action Plans: Develop and implement corrective action plans in response to identified compliance issues, ensuring timely resolution and documentation of outcomes.
Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with the EMS leadership team to continuously improve compliance processes and EMS operations, integrating best practices and lessons learned from audits and incidents.
Training and Education: Training Programs: Develop and deliver comprehensive compliance training programs for EMS personnel, including topics such as patient privacy, documentation standards, billing compliance, and ethical conduct.
Ongoing Education: Provide ongoing education and updates to EMS staff on changes in regulations, standards, and organizational policies.
Compliance Awareness: Foster a culture of compliance and ethical behavior within the EMS department through regular communications, workshops, and compliance awareness campaigns.
Risk Management: Incident Investigation: Investigate compliance-related incidents, such as patient complaints, privacy breaches, and billing discrepancies, and report findings to senior management.
Risk Assessment: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential compliance risks and vulnerabilities within the EMS operations.
Emergency Preparedness: Collaborate with the EMS and organizational leadership to ensure that the EMS department is prepared for emergency situations, including natural disasters and public health emergencies, in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Reporting: Report significant compliance risks and incidents to the company vice president and other senior leadership, as appropriate.
Collaboration: Interdepartmental Coordination: Work closely with other departments, including Billing, HR, Legal, and Quality Improvement, to ensure coordinated and comprehensive compliance efforts.
External Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact with external regulatory agencies and accreditation bodies regarding EMS compliance matters.
Vendor and Contractor Oversight: Ensure that all vendors, contractors, and third-party partners involved in EMS operations adhere to applicable compliance requirements.
Ethics and Integrity: Ethical Standards: Promote and enforce high ethical standards within the EMS department, ensuring that all personnel understand and adhere to the organization's code of conduct.
Confidentiality: Safeguard patient and organizational information in accordance with HIPAA and other relevant privacy regulations.
Whistleblower Protection: Establish and manage mechanisms for anonymous reporting of compliance concerns, ensuring that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation.