Branch Manager

BLAKEY MEDICAL/HOMECARE LAREDO:

Blakey Medical is the Laredo branch of Homecare Dimensions.  Blakey Medical is a supplier of home medical equipment (HME) and respiratory therapy services, and has a long standing history in the Laredo community. 

 

Homecare Dimensions, based in San Antonio, has additional branches in Austin and Corpus Christi.  Homecare Dimensions also offers home health nursing and therapies, pharmacy, and HME services. 

 

JOB TITLE: BRANCH MANAGER

       

SUMMARY:  The Branch Manager is responsible for the management and supervision of all branch operations regarding HME.  Implements and maintains performance improvement activities and maintains regulatory standards for branch. Directly and indirectly supervises all members of the branch staff. Performs all functions in professional and ethical manner and collaborates with other members of the health care team to ensure quality patient care.  Assures consistent, appropriate, and cost effective care by actively managing patient/client needs, payer's expectations, company policy compliance, and agency financial objectives.  Accountable for achieving financial targets (profitability) for his/her operation by:  empowering and challenging people, recruiting and training the best people, delivering quality in everything they do, providing the right incentives, providing the resources people need, and creating an environment that enables people to be successful.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Directs the daily operations of the branch to ensure the provision of safe, quality, cost-effective care to patients that contributes to the financial success of the branch.

 

Regularly evaluates the services and care provided by the branch to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies and procedures and sound business practices.


Directs the recruitment, hiring, and development of sufficient non-clinical staff to ensure the delivery of safe and consistent quality care to all patient/clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


Directs or delegates the assignment of staff, monitoring of daily and weekly schedules.  Manages quality through patient/client care appraisals and employee supervision.

Responsible for ensuring completion of supervision and annual evaluations of staff according to company policy and procedure and federal and/or state regulations. Implements disciplinary action and terminates employees according to company guidelines.

 

Provides coaching and direction to those within the branch who demonstrate leadership capabilities.  Keeps branch personnel up to date with the latest information and practices in the industry.  Assures appropriate staff development through orientation, inservice education and continuing education.

 

Assures that clinical caregivers have demonstrated the ability to perform accurate and complete assessments, communicate with physicians, plan for service delivery, plan for discharge, and make excellent professional decisions. . Directs ongoing skill evaluations to assure that the staff's abilities are consistent with the needs of individual patient/clients and the marketplace.

 

Manages documentation to ensure that the patient/client's clinical record meets legal and regulatory requirements, facilitates care, enhances the continuity of care, helps coordinate treatment and evaluation of the patient/client, and establishes medical necessity so payers will reimburse for the services that are provided.  Participates in the collection of moneys, including providing information needed for processing denials and presenting during Administrative Law Judge hearings.


Supervises operational processes by managing the responsible staff and assuring the flow of information and documentation from inquiry through discharge of all patient/clients, including providing support and documentation needed to facilitate reimbursement.

 

Directs and/or delegates coordination between patient/client intake, scheduling, care plan development, and resource utilization. Ensures appropriate care coordination among various departments of branch.

 

Assists with the development of an annual market assessment, budget, and business plan.  Monitors expenditures and adherence to company policies through the implementation of controls.

 

Assists the Vice President with assessing business opportunities.  Provides information on costs that can be used in determining the feasibility of pursuing local managed care and capitation opportunities.  When directed, gathers information about marketplace pay and bill rates.

 

Develops and maintains a working knowledge of all services and resources available within the company and the community.  Directs staff to meet patient/client needs through the identification and use of all available resources.

 

Schedules staff meetings to communicate with other employees regarding the needs and concerns of patient/clients and their families, referral sources, and payer sources and the potential for business that these customers represent.  Discusses operational issues to identify issues that may compromise optimal service to customers. Communicates Statement of Income information and its implications to all office staff.  Provides updated and ongoing information on the direction and status of the company. Maintains open channels of communication within all departments to insure teamwork is the primary goal

 

Employs marketing and promotional efforts within the community to support the achievement of sales and earning objectives.  These may include: generating sales correspondence, contacting referral sources, implementing corporate promotional plans, and participating at mall displays, health fairs, and conventions.  May represent the company in recruitment activities at job fairs to obtain qualified professional health care staff. Participates in the negotiation and establishment of profitable local contracts with referral sources, third party payers, and state and local governments.  Effectively services all signed contracts.

 

Implements and maintains Performance Improvement for the branch by participating in Quality Assessment and Improvement and CHAPs activities and assures participation of all appropriate staff. Provides information that enables the collection and root cause analysis of data to identify opportunities for improvement, develops/oversees the development and implementation of action plans that result in continuous quality improvement. Oversees branch operations and makes adjustments where needed to increase the overall efficiency of the department.  Ensures that all complaints and incidents are investigated, resolved and documented. Investigates complaints to determine if a Medical Device Report must be made to the FDA and ensures report is made within timeframe determined by FDA. Files a semiannual summary of all reports sent to manufacturers and FDA.

 

Submits reports on or before deadline dates.

 

Provides back up support and handles other functional role responsibilities, as required, to assure that operational needs are met.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Education: Bachelor's Degree or High School Graduate or equivalent with at least 10 years Home Medical experience required. Must be able to read and follow written and verbal instructions in English effectively.  One (1) year Home Medical Equipment experience preferred. Medical Terminology knowledge preferred. Excellent computer skills and knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software highly desirable. Knowledge of general office procedures is preferred.  Ability to operate computer terminal, printer, typewriter, fax, and copier machines. Must be able to lift and transfer home medical equipment from one location to another.

 

Experience:  Must have health care experience within the last 2 years.  Two years of work experience must be in supervision/administration, preferably in a community health or home health setting.  Additional education and/or experience may be required by individual state regulations.  Basic knowledge of governmental DME regulations, Medicare (Medicaid, as required), regulations, and company policies and procedures are required.  Good organization, communication, human relations skills, and reliable transportation are required.  Self-motivation, assertiveness and independent decision-making skills are essential.  Bilingual preferred.

 

Permanent employment is contingent on the results of the Criminal History Check.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by and employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

?  Ability to deal effectively with stress

?  Ability to take necessary actions to discipline employees and to assure a cooperative work environment for all Agency employees.

?  Visual and hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written and verbal communication.

?  Ability to perform tasks involving physical activity, which may include lifting of 20 pounds, extensive bending and standing.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Ability to maintain flexibility and adaptability to the work environment is critical.  This position requires up to 20% of time away from the office.  Must maintain proof of current valid automobile liability insurance.