Certified Investigator

Description

The Certified Investigator manages Verland’s incidents in accordance with federal, state, and regional regulations, and agency practices to recognize, report and investigate incidents. Interprets guidelines for incidents and collaborates on incident management policies and procedures development. Provides education, guidance, and training to employees regarding incident management processes and reporting. Engages in Administrative Reviews and Certified Investigation Peer Reviews to ensure processes meet regulatory standards and uphold the requisites of speed, objectivity, and thoroughness of certified investigations. Responsible for incident management of incidents reported internally through the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Tracks monthly incident data. Collaborates in continuous quality improvement efforts as part of agency’s Quality Plan and agency’s risk mitigation efforts.

Responsibilities

• Conducts certified investigations in compliance with PA Office of Development Program (ODP) and CMS regulations to maintain speed, objectivity, thoroughness, and timeliness of investigations.
• Attends to all reportable data entry in the Enterprise Incident Management System (EIM) in compliance with regulations with accuracy and timeliness.
• Completes investigations including, but not limited to, securing evidence, obtaining witness statements and interviews, retrieving information from electronic surveillance, reviewing staff schedules, compiling information from the agency’s EHR system, and developing a chronological summary of factual findings from occurrence to closure.
• Complies with required incident management reporting timeframes, ensuring incidents are filed, finalized and/or extended according to the timelines set forth by regulatory and agency standards to maintain speed, objectivity, and thoroughness.
• Manages incident data, tracks monthly and quarterly incident data, and uses trend analyses to identify systemic issues.
• Supports incident management surveys, information requests, and audits conducted by the regulatory bodies.
• Maintains knowledge of incident management regulations (federal, state, and regional), manuals, bulletins, other published protocols, guidance and reference materials, and the state reporting systems.
• Communicates changes and develops and revises policy and/or procedures accordingly.
• Provides orientation and training for staff to enable them to respond to, report and, where possible, prevent incidents.
• Assists in the training of new Incident Management staff.
• Affords assistance in obtaining documentation for corrective actions for all certified investigations with respective department managers and ensures completion of corrective actions within required timeframes.
• Maintains ongoing monitoring of the timeliness and completeness of information on incidents in the EHR.
• Acts as the liaison to protective services, law enforcement, and state and/or county personnel when required.
• Responds to questions from leadership, staff, and family members related to incidents as necessary.
• Engages in quarterly Certified Investigation Peer Reviews to build systemic capacity and to enhance the quality of certified investigations.
• Serves as a member of the Certified Investigation Peer Review Committee and Verland Quality Management Committee.
• Collaborates closely with Risk Management and Compliance regarding Incident Management.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 30 hours worked, and employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package: Health (UPMC), Dental and Vision Insurances (1st of the month following 30 days from start date)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HSA)
• 403b – Traditional and Roth with Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement (for core positions)
• Competitive PTO Plan
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Incentive in lieu of Medical coverage
• Career Development
• Whole Person Wellbeing Resources
• Mental Health Resources and Support

Requirements

• Maintain a current PA-Office of Development Program (ODP) Certified Investigator certificate.
• Familiarity with PA Enterprise Incident Management (EIM) required.
• Familiarity with protective services laws and mandated reporter regulations required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Ability to conduct thorough investigations and ability to manage competing priorities is required.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver's license and insured vehicle required.
• Act 33/34 clearances, FBI required.