DSHS BHA Investigations Manager

Description
DSHS BHA Investigations Manager

As the Behavioral Health Administration’s (BHA) Investigations Manager, you report directly to the BHA Headquarters Investigations Program Manager who reports directly to the BHA Headquarters Investigations & Internal Controls Administrator.

This position is part of the BHA HQ Risk Management Department that conducts fact-finding, investigations, and risk mitigation recommendations in relation to employee misconduct and patient abuse/neglect. In this role, you will collaborate with BHA facility leadership to ensure consistent employee compliance with DSHS policy, federal, and state law in relation to employee misconduct.

You provide consultation and leadership for over 4,000 employees and 1,300 patients/residents. In this role, you will be dedicated to transforming lives by providing consistent, professional, fact-based fact-finding and investigations of employee misconduct and patient abuse/neglect ranging from line staff to administrator level for all BHA facilities.

You will consult and guide appointing authorities and leadership teams in relation to employee misconduct fact-finding, investigations. You will also provide critical assistance in identifying gaps in patient safety in relation to employee misconduct.

This position requires constant application of independent judgment, excellent communication, and advanced mentoring and coaching skills. You will provide strategic direction and will be responsible for coordinating and conducting investigations into allegations of employee misconduct.

Your office location will be at either Western State Hospital or Eastern State Hospital depending on where you reside. Initially, you will work onsite during training, after which you may be able to telework one or more days/week with approval of your supervisor.
Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

Some of what you’ll do:

Conduct impartial employee misconduct and patient abuse/neglect fact-finding and investigations.
Gather and preserve pertinent evidence, determines jurisdiction, and interprets and applies appropriate statutory authority.
Conduct in-depth interviews of complainants, respondents, subjects, and/or witnesses.
Prepare well-reasoned, well-written, fact-based, and complete investigative reports, findings of fact, and conclusions.
Investigative reports include well-documented evidence that follows the chain-of-evidence in support or non-support of the allegation(s).
Work closely with law enforcement, Human Resources Division (HRD), and other outside investigatory and/or oversight agencies including Disability Rights Washington.
Participate in policy and procedure updates that involves the BHA HQ Investigations Team.
May be asked to participate in legal action stemming from an investigation, provide depositions, or appear as a witness in Superior court for investigation related litigation or tort claims.
Maintain a high-level understanding and interpretation of the laws, policies, and procedures that govern employee and patient abuse/neglect fact-finding and investigations.
Follow record retention schedules and timely comply with discovery, subpoena, and public record requests that are related to their fact-findings or investigations.

What we’re looking for:

Professionals with the following are encouraged to apply:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration or related Behavioral Health field and minimum of 1 year of investigation experience:

OR

Paid professional experience as an Investigator in a Healthcare or Behavioral Health field may substitute year for year for required education. Experience must include preparing evidence and conducting investigations related to patient abuse/neglect and major administrative staff misconduct investigations.

Equivalent experience will substitute year-for-year for required education.

Office location will be located either at Western State Hospital or Eastern State Hospital, and you will work onsite during your initial training period, after which you may be able to telework one or more days/week upon approval of your hiring supervisor.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Investigator experience in an institutional setting preferred.
Knowledge of federal and state laws and requirements on public disclosure, privacy and confidentiality
Knowledge of federal and state law and regulations governing human resource administration and investigations. Including knowledge and experience related to Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Labor Relations and CBAs.
Ability to interpret and implement broad policy to strategize, develop and implement programs.
Experience working in a political environment collaboratively with stakeholders, including local, state and federal officials, and/or other state agencies.
Knowledge of DSHS and BHA programs and services, as well as policies and procedures.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to clearly organize information and effectively communicate complex issues to broad range audiences.
Strong project management abilities.

To Apply:

Please include the following:

Chronological resume
Cover letter describing how your skills/experience align with this role
Three professional references with current contact information

Questions? Please contact Kathy.Simmons@dshs.wa.gov or 360-725-5810 and reference #12009.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.