Job Description
The Board of Registration and Medicine within the Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse to evaluate complaints against physicians and identify those allegations that raise issues of substandard care.
The Clinical Care Investigator will identify and obtain appropriate medical records to review, analyze, and summarize. The Investigator will work with complaint counsel to identify relevant witnesses and conduct interviews as determined by the team, and also identify and interview physicians who will act as experts. The incumbent organizes and prepares materials for expert review; writes clear, concise and logically sequenced memoranda; and assists complaint counsel in the preparation and presentation of adjudicatory matters before the Board and the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA).
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Please note: The selected candidate will need access to reliable transportation for work-related travel as required.
Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Reviews and investigates complaints and reports from patients, individuals, mandated reporters and other sources to determine potential violations of laws, regulations or standards of medical care affecting the public health, safety and welfare. Identifies those allegations that raise issues of substandard care requiring further investigation; proceeds accordingly by requesting medical records and/or interviewing witnesses; maintains a record of interviews and prepares investigative reports in a timely manner; maintains activity logs documenting case work.
- Oversees a caseload by prioritizing work appropriately, setting and achieving goals and responding to deadlines in a timely manner. Prepares accurate, objective summaries of medical records for use by complaint counsel and Board committees; provides clinical analysis of consumer complaints and statutory reports, drawing on medical knowledge and experience to determine whether care was substandard.
- Analyzes consumer complaints and statutory reports, evaluates physician responses and reviews related medical records; prepares memoranda containing an analysis of the medical issues and recommends disposition.
- Works collaboratively with complaint counsel and investigators in the disciplinary processing of a case; summarizes medical records and provides education on the medical issues; identifies additional medical records and materials to be subpoenaed and persons to be interviewed; gathers and analyzes relevant medical literature.
- Identifies and interviews qualified physicians who are willing to provide an expert opinion on the quality of care provided in a particular case; organizes materials for expert review and assists complaint counsel in interviewing expert witnesses and preparing experts for hearing, as needed.
- Assists complaint counsel in the preparation of legal documents such as a subpoenas, affidavits, Statement of Allegations, Consent Orders and memoranda on disposition.
- Assists complaint counsel in the preparation and presentation of cases at DALA, as well as at depositions and pre-trial conferences; attends hearings and/or gives sworn testimony at hearings as necessary; assists complaint counsel in the preparation of questions and exhibits to be used at hearings.
- Adheres to strict legal and regulatory requirements of confidentiality and prohibitions against unauthorized disclosure of sensitive, confidential and privileged information regarding patients, physicians and law enforcement investigations.
- Attends relevant training as required and keeps abreast of relevant nursing/medical practice developments.
- Conducts self professionally in adherence to Massachusetts law, Board regulations, policies, procedures and protocols and in compliance with the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses.
- Maintains productive working relationship with all levels of Board staff.
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of the standard nursing policies, procedures, methods, and investigative techniques.
- Proven ability to understand, interpret, apply and explain the principles and practices of medicine.
- Capacity to analyze and interpret medical records, legal documents and summarize different types of medical information.
- Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
- Talent for communicating effectively in verbal and written expression.
- Skilled in exercising sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to identify the critical issues that are inconsistent with the standard of care.
- Familiarity with the legal and regulatory issues that impact medical care.
- Ability to establish effective relationships with individuals, physicians and staff.
- Motivated, self-directed, detail oriented and able to work well independently or with a team.
- Proficient usage of Microsoft Office Products including Word, Excel, Power Point and outlook.
About the Department of Public Health:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
More information can be found at:MA Department of Public Health
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility and (B) of which at least two years must have been in a supervisory, administrative, or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience. No substitutions will be allowed for the required (B) experience.
Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LEVELS IN SERIES: Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing .
Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination.
Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.
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.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.