Utilization Review Nurse Coordinator (35 Hour)

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to partner with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their community.

DDS West Region has one current full-time job opportunity for a Utilization Review Nurse Coordinator, to be based in Waterbury. This is a full-time (35 hours/week) 1st shift position, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. However, flexibility is needed in order to meet the needs of the agency.

We offer a competitive benefits package; excellent health care; generous leave policies; a retirement plan; a deferred compensation program; and more.

Join us as a dedicated professional helping deliver care to individuals with developmental disabilities!

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. We encourage you to detail your related experience on the application. Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

For questions regarding this recruitment please contact Elizabeth Weston at Elizabeth.Weston@ct.gov.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Renee LaBarge, DDS EEO Director at (860) 418-6022 or Renee.LaBarge@ct.gov.

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

In a state agency this class is accountable for coordinating a utilization review program which promotes effective cost recovery, quality of care and/or compliance with relevant federal and state laws, regulations and standards.

In the Office of Protection and Advocacy and the Department of Developmental Services this class is accountable for performing investigations of abuse, neglect and death in individuals with intellectual disabilities including individuals under the care of the Department of Developmental Services.

WORKING LEAD (REGULATORY) : Coordinates work flow and determines priorities to assure highest quality of care with efficient utilization of available services; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains program protocols and procedures; provides staff training and assistance; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding program policies and procedures; prepares reports and correspondence; assesses, evaluates and monitors documentation of all hospital disciplines when performing case reviews; attends professional workshops, seminars and in-service training; may supervise Utilization Review Nurses and other staff engaged in review of medical records of individuals in state health care institutions for purposes of maximizing reimbursement revenue via Medicare Part B programs; may review medical records and compile documents for case presentations; may provide pre-certification for and coordination of inmates admitted to and discharged from acute care facilities; may lead an inspection team in IPR/UR and licensing review functions; may conduct entrance and exit interviews of care providers; may supervise and participate in hospital Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs including preparation of appeals on behalf of a facility relative to intermediate denials; may testify in court; may coordinate review and audit of occupational injury and/or disease disability cases for purpose of determining medical management, cost containment, peer review and rehabilitation; may notify acute care hospitals of scheduled utilization review including conducting second level review of cases and case referral to a physician consultant for final disposition; performs related duties as required.

ADVANCED WORKING LEVEL (INVESTIGATORY): Conducts complex investigations into allegations of abuse or neglect of individuals with intellectual disabilities; conducts complex investigations into cases where a death has resulted of an individual with intellectual disability or for whom the Department of Developmental Services has direct or oversight responsibility for medical care; reviews medical care that was provided to individuals; assists in the investigation to determine if the death is a result of abuse or neglect; participates in the reviews of events, overall care, quality of life and medical care preceding a death; works cooperatively with State and local police, State's Attorneys and other protective services organizations; interviews alleged victims, direct care providers, families and other potential witnesses; prepares comprehensive, complex investigative reports; may provide information and assistance to the Independent Mortality Review Board or Fatality Review Board for Persons with Disabilities; maintains records and documentation; reviews medical records for pertinent information related to investigations; may testify in court proceeding; performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: Coordinates activities of care team, plans and schedules meetings, tracks input and attendance; insures outcome of process is accurate document for care planning; audits process according to utilization guidelines and ensures process is completed within appropriate regulatory time frames; trains all Health Care Team members on Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) care planning system; acts as resource to all areas involved in Minimum Data Set (MDS) process; ensures compliance with state statutes, federal Veterans Affairs regulations and state Department of Veterans Affairs policies and procedures; monitors and manages timely electronic transmission of MDS program data; routinely conducts chart audits and maintains log of deficiencies and discrepancies; identifies errors in coding of MDS and RAI forms during completion process; communicates to leadership and interdisciplinary team members any changes to directives and guidelines; enters MDS data into information system; assures ongoing record documentation supports MDS and RAI coding; develops plan of action to correct identified quality deficiencies; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of principles, practices and current trends of nursing; considerable knowledge of standards of medical care; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to analyze patient profiles and progress charts; some supervisory ability.

REGULATORY: Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of regulations and standards pertaining to utilization review; considerable knowledge of care and service delivery to injured workers.

INVESTIGATORY: Considerable knowledge of statutes, policies and procedures governing the care and treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities; considerable knowledge of problems and needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities; considerable knowledge of various types of residential placement facilities; knowledge of investigatory methods and techniques; considerable interviewing skills; ability to research and analyze data; considerable skills in the preparation of extensive written reports.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: Knowledge of Minimum Data Set process in a long term care setting and coordination of an interdisciplinary team; ability to utilize computer software.

Five (5) years of experience as a registered professional nurse.

REGULATORY: Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in the assessment of the quality and propriety of health care services as required by JCAH and/or Medicare and Medicaid standards and regulations at the level of Utilization Review Nurse.

INVESTIGATORY: Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been working with individuals with Behavioral Health or Intellectual Disabilities.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in the review and assessment of individuals in a long term care setting.

A Bachelor's degree in nursing may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

• Experience with effective supervisory techniques.
• Experience with medical and behavioral needs of individuals with developmental disabilities across the life span.
• Experience in discharge planning from hospitals or rehab facilities, to family or individual's own home.
• Experience with State Medicaid benefits and services, including home health aide services and resources including Money Follows the Person (MFP).
• Experience with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA).
• Experience working with Private Agency Providers and Skilled Nursing Facilities.
• Experience with Nursing Policy/Procedures/Regulations for individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
• Experience with mortality review process for individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
• Experience using Microsoft applications including Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint and Word.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as a registered professional nurse in Connecticut.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.