Program Director of Healthcare Access

Occupational Summary

Duke Access and Accommodation Services (DAAS) provides guidance and assistance to ensure Duke University meets its responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADA), Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and similar laws. This includes facilitating requests for reasonable accommodations and acting as a resource for anyone with questions arising in those areas. The Healthcare Access Director is expected to be an integral part of Duke’s compliance framework while providing competent, consistent, and compassionate service.

The Healthcare Access Director is responsible for supporting the Duke University Health System (DUHS) in meeting its compliance responsibilities. This includes reviewing and updating policies around accessibility and patient accommodations, providing support to units in navigating ADA-related questions or issues, partnering with other offices to determine and address needs, and creating and executing strategic plans designed to ensure consistent and effective compliance with legal responsibilities.

WORK PERFORMED:

• Apply a working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other relevant disability-related laws and ordinances to the healthcare context. Responsible for staying up-to-date with any changes or updates in the laws.
• Provide guidance and assistance on compliance responsibilities, including effective communication access accommodations, patient/companion accommodations, accessible diagnostic equipment, physical accessibility, service animals, and other issues.
• Partner with other DUHS entities to review, update, and create necessary and appropriate policies. Assist with the creation and dissemination of training, education, or other resources to ensure consistent adherence to policy expectations. Identify any resource needs and implement strategies to meet those needs.
• Assist with and facilitate DUHS response to any complaints, grievances, lawsuits, or governmental inquiries. Partner collaboratively with other DUHS entities to prepare responses and implement any necessary corrective action.
• Work with others in DAAS to resolve specific questions or issues around patient/companion accommodations, physical accessibility, or other access questions.
• Maintain a collaborative working relationship with appropriate partners, including Compliance, Risk Management, nursing leadership, providers, and others.
• Provide in-the-moment assistance when urgent patient or companion access issues arise.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of patient/companion interactions, accommodation requests, consultation requests, and any other relevant information. Generate reports as needed to assess program effectiveness and compliance.
• May be required to respond to inquiries and requests for assistance during non-standard hours and on weekends.
• Responsible for representing DAAS on behalf of Duke University/Health Systems by attending professional association meetings as well as committees within the university.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., disability studies, counseling, education) or some combination of education and experience is required. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other disability-related laws and regulations.
• Experience applying the ADAA and Rehabilitation Act in a healthcare setting, including in the context of patient or companion accommodations/access, accessible healthcare facilities and diagnostic equipment, and other healthcare-specific issues.
• Demonstrated leadership skills. Experience in successfully developing strategic goals, gaining buy-in, and developing and executing appropriate plans.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Effective and flexible communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with patients, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload effectively.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Proficient computer skills, including experience with assistive technologies and office productivity software.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires a general business back ground generally equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a business-related field.

Experience

Work requires 4 years related business or administrative experience to acquire competence in applying general personnel practices, accounting and budgeting principles and coordination of major administrative functions. A master's degree in a business-related field may be substituted for 2 years’ experience AND/OR EXPERIENCE OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION. .

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.