Rehabilitation Director

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates and directs the overall operation of the rehabilitation department as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current state and federal laws and regulations; and respective practice act(s) in the state.

Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs the execution of rehabilitation services ensuring such services are provided in accordance with physician’s orders and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in accordance with guidelines issued by the governing body and its respective affiliate state chapter.

Identifies, in conjunction with the Director of Nursing and Administrator, the facility’s key performance rehabilitation indicators. Establishes an ongoing system to monitor these key indicators such as the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement process in the rehabilitation department.

Evaluates key performance indicator outcomes in the rehabilitation department with treating therapists and relevant department leaders to determine the need for action such as re-education or revisions related to the facility’s outcomes, regulatory compliance, practice act(s) and / or customer satisfaction.

Develops and implements processes and systems to effectively lead, guide and direct the delivery of rehabilitation services including but not limited to processes for the timely screening, evaluation, treatment, discharge and all associated documentation requirements for residents in the facility.

Ensures that all therapists are appropriately documenting, billing and coding for residents receiving therapy.

Ensures resident information needed for the resident assessment instrument is provided such as functional abilities and goals, functional status, range of motion, balance during transitions and walking, therapy minutes and distinct calendar days, etc. during the defined observation period(s).

Participates as a qualified clinician for the interdisciplinary determination of the resident’s usual performance in a functional assessment as required by facility policy (RAI User’s Manual) for Part A, Medicare Advantage residents upon admission, interim and at time of discharge, (determined according to the therapy discipline of the Rehabilitation Director).

Provides and reviews all therapy documentation for accuracy, timeliness and thoroughness in conjunction with facility payment audits according to the criteria established in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 8.

Develops and implements processes and systems to ensure therapy equipment is stored, used and sanitized, disinfected and / or cleaned properly and safely in the facility.

Serves as the facility’s rehabilitation representative and spokesperson to the public as well as in the professional arenas. In so doing, must periodically successfully deliver a confident, concise, message on a variety of topics that is understood by a wide range of persons with diverse backgrounds and levels of education.

Leads and coordinates daily, weekly, and / or monthly rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss residents’ therapy progression in relation to discharge planning for residents receiving therapy services.

Ensures that all therapists adhere to the state practice guidelines in his / her discipline as defined by the State of ______________ Practice Act(s). Also ensures all therapists maintain appropriate conduct and follow practice guidelines as defined by their professional association.

Ensures each therapist knows how to access the state practice act and their professional association standards.

Develops and maintains positive relationships with residents, employees, and family members through scheduled, deliberate positive interactions with them using face to face, phone, or other means of communication.

Evaluates work performance of therapists in the department and maintains accountability in concert with applicable standards of practice, by-laws, and code of conduct for each therapy discipline.

Facilitates, serves, attends or participates in various committees of the facility as necessary.

Knows and understands the purpose and requirements for scope of work and supervision requirements as defined by the (physical, occupational, speech-language pathology and audiology) therapy practice act in each state.

Ensures delivery of compassionate quality care and services across the rehabilitation spectrum as evidenced by adequate, and competent therapy staff, department turnover, general cleanliness of therapy gyms / offices, and optimal resident functioning and satisfaction with rehabilitation services provided.

Identifies and collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team, physicians, consultants, and community agencies to identify opportunities for enhanced services to the residents and / or resolve issues.

Recruits talented, qualified therapists in conjunction with Human Resources to fill positions as a key factor in building and maintaining a strong and capable rehabilitation team.

Knows employees in the rehabilitation department and across all departments by name in order to effectively communicate and meet resident needs as well as the maintenance, environmental, and miscellaneous related needs of the rehabilitation department.

Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication. Promotes positivity and active daily problem solving.

Leads budget development bi-annually.

Makes written and oral reports / recommendations to the administrator concerning the operation of the rehabilitation department.

Leads, guides and directs the rehab department’s readiness related to health inspection surveys, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surveys, and any other regulatory entity or requirement.

Reads and stays informed regarding regulatory, scope of work and supervision requirements as defined by the therapy practice act(s), business practices and other changes influencing rehabilitation outcomes.

Promotes safe work practices, safety rules, and accident prevention procedures to prevent resident / employee injury and illness.

Additional Tasks

• Treats all residents with dignity and respect. Promotes and protects all residents’ rights.
• Establishes a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility policies and procedures. Complies with standards of business conduct, and state / federal regulations and guidelines, and relevant practice act(s).
• Follows appropriate safety and hygiene measures at all times to protect residents and themselves.
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, including verbal, written, and electronic communications.
• Reports noncompliance with policies, procedures, regulations, or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel. Reports any retaliation or discrimination to HR or compliance officer.
• Reports any allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, exploitation, or mistreatment of residents to supervisor and / or administrator. Protects residents from abuse, and cooperates with all investigations.
• Reports any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and / or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy.
• Participates in all life safety and emergency drills and trainings. Fulfills responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility’s emergency plan.
• Reports work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to designated staff member.
• Follows established infection control policies and procedures.
• As a condition of employment, completes all assigned training and skills competency.

Requirements :

Required Qualifications

The Rehab Director must possess :

Personal Skills and Traits Desired / Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

Compliance as a Condition of Employment and Performance Appraisal

Agreement to abide by all standards, policies, and procedures of the facility, including the facility’s compliance and ethics program, is a condition of employment. Compliance will be a factor in evaluating job performance. Violations, including failure to report violations, will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

This job description is intended to convey the general scope of the major duties and responsibilities inherent in this position. Other tasks not listed here may be assigned by the Board of Managers, Board of Directors, and / or President of the company. Periodic revision may be necessary to reflect changes in expectations placed on long term care by various governmental agencies. This job description will be reviewed and / or revised annually and as needed.

Individual performance will be evaluated using the following scale :

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and [insert state civil rights law], it is the policy of [Facility Name] to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [include name and / or department, telephone, and e-mail address].