10/16/87 A

This single-position class administers and directs the statewide Certificate of Public Need (COPN) program in the Virginia Department of Health. The work involves consultation, review and analysis of applications for COPN from medical care facilities to construct, replace or upgrade facilities and services involving significant capital expenditure to ensure an orderly pattern of growth and minimize the cost of health care and promote comprehensive health care planning to promote the highest quality of health care at the lowest possible cost and to avoid unnecessary duplication of services. Makes recommendations to the Health Commissioner to approve or deny COPN request and services as hearings officer in informal fact-find conferences held on medical care facility projects, extending, in behalf of the Health Commissioner, certificates for approved medical care facility projects.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of unusual difficulty within the constraints of state laws and agency regulations in administering the COPN program. Exercises extensive administrative judgment in determining the nature and extent of research and analysis needed to render a judgment on a COPN application. Coordinates the COPN, licensure, health planning and related functions in an integrated approach to recommend to the Health Commissioner whether COPN applications should be approved or denied. Consults with applicants and serves as hearings officer on all informal fact-finding conferences on medical care facility projects. Establishes policies and procedures for the operation of the COPN program regarding the written analysis reports, responses to information request and related program activities.

Supervision Given: Supervises a small group of analysts performing complex consultative, analytical work in relation to research and analysis into COPN applications.

Supervision Received: General direction is provided by the Director of the Office Regulatory Services.

Scope: The work affects large numbers of people on a long-term basis by regulating the quality and quantity of services provided by medical care facilities.

Impact of Actions: There is serious impact of the decisions made upon the services, cost and availability of medical care regulated by the COPN program.

Personal Contacts: There are frequent internal and external contacts made on important matters related to the growth of health care facilities. Contacts are made with attorneys, architects, CEO's .of health care organizations, members of state, local and federal agencies as well as the news media and the judiciary regarding projects under review for the COPN.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of legal and legislative processes affecting the regulation of medical care facilities. Considerable knowledge of research methodologies and statistical data gathering techniques sufficient to support decisions.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with executives in the public and private sectors; apply the knowledge of the COPN regulatory process to enforce compliance; analyze legislative and regulatory statutes to develop administrative policies and procedures; direct and coordinate the work of staff in research and analytical work.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from a college or university with emphasis in public administration, business administration, hospital administration, law or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience in legal and administrative management of a regulatory program. Experience in

investigative, research and analytical work related to compliance to a regulatory program is desirable.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was established in October 1987 as a result of a compensation and classification review of the Health Planning Director class.