Rachel Russo Email & Phone Number

Wakefield, Ma, Us

Oversees all aspects of CCA’s Palliative Care Program with Managers, Admissions Coordinator and Palliative Coordinator as direct reports and all clinical staff as indirect reports.Provides leadership, planning, financial management, staff supervision, and operational oversight, so that the Palliative Care Program can achieve its strategic goals.Serves as an expert on all activities of the organization that impact the ability of members to receive high quality care during times of serious illness, and as they approach the end of life, including education of member-facing staff, creation of policies and procedures for the organization as related to hospice and end of life care, and working with contracted providers to achieve goals that are aligned with CCA’s overall strategic initiatives.Accountable for the development and management of KPI’s associated with CCA’s Care Delivery,Clinical Enterprise and Member experience related to Palliative CareCollaborated with Medical Economics to show statistically significant ROI and PMPM savings for members served by Palliative CarePresented innovative symptom assessment tool developed with Palliative interdisciplinary leadership team at Camden Coalition conference 2022

Charlestown, Ma

Designed a Palliative program (with stakeholders) inclusive of: populations served; staffing models with roles and responsibilities (including creating job descriptions); Documentation structure in two EMR programs in a way that could be extrapolated for KPIs consistent with NCP guidelines; unique case management model driven by member need/ acuity.Developed the Palliative program (with stakeholders) by: creating on boarding education for the departmental staff both with regard to the unique model and utilizing CAPC online modules; created and delivered a presentation through multiple venues to educate company-wide and contracted staff about the redesigned program elements and usage; interviewed hired and negotiated salaries for two teams across the state; determined business needs for reporting based on clinical quality, census and financial monitoringImplemented program with ongoing evaluation and monitoring by: Ensuring that supervisors for staff have tools and support to coach and guide staff through 1:1 meetings to meet KPIs and consistency deliver care according to case management model; Guide and support supervisors and staff through weekly team meetings; elicit feedback from referral source sand Palliative team on pain points and successes; develop and initiate member satisfaction survey and ongoing budget development to meet needs and assure outcomes.

Charlestown, Ma

Provided an assessment of palliative program through thorough review of current systems, workflow, audits and research of industry standards while interfacing with internal and external stakeholdersDeveloped a report of assessment of current state with SWOT recommendations for c-suite referencing evidence-based data and outcomes.Proposed new department structure and developed a budget to align current practices and procedures to optimize quality care, while promoting the strategic objectives of the companyProvided education and support of internal and external stakeholders about Palliative and End-of-Life care and regulations affecting our Hospice partners

Responsible for development, implementation and management of quality palliative care services for both pediatric and adult patients.

Ensured delivery of the hospice IDT model of care to achieve optimal clinical outcomes and service excellence delivered in a timely manner.Was responsible for staffing the Hospice House and oversight of clinical care, including: hiring; identifying areas for improvement; arranging educational opportunities and direct coaching for optimal patient and family outcomes.Ensured compliance with laws, regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation, Joint Commission standards and organizational policies and procedures.Adhered to Hospice House budget and financial responsibilities/stewardship

Oversight of the entire hospice program, ensured compliance with Medicare, Medicaid and HMO guidelines.Direct responsibilities included oversight of the Bereavement program, VNA Bridge program, Clinical compliance and education, and QAPI program.

Direct oversight, emotional support, education and disciplinary actions as needed for one of two interdisciplinary teams.Ran biweekly IDGs.Reviewed admissions, recertifications discharges for compliance

Admitted new clients, developed the POC, and provided education on the hospice benefit to new clients and their loved ones in coordination with the referral source, Attending Physician, Hospice Medical Director and Interdisciplinary team.Performed daily assessments of hospice patients receiving inpatient care to determine POC as necessitated by Medicare, Medicaid and HMO guidelinesHeld family meetings to update, educate and empower families to make informed decisions regarding the care of their loved oneEstablished relationships with referral sources and provided ongoing inservices regarding hospice philosophy and medication use. By providing this service, helped increase referrals