Under the general direction of the Executive Vice-President for Public Policy & Government Relations, the Director of State Relations advances The Joint Commission’s state relations agenda by: 1) developing strategies to establish and maintain relationships with state legislators, state agency officials and their staff, Medicaid offices and state health care policymakers who influence work relevant to The Joint Commission programs and priorities; 2) helping to ensure that state health agencies and other similar entities understand Joint Commission’s role and contributions to state efforts aimed at improving healthcare quality and patient safety; 3) identifying opportunities to add new or to improve upon existing state recognition and relationships; and 4) directing the work of state relations staff and other government relations staff.   

1. Works with EVP to lead all state government relations initiatives, identify state legislative, regulatory, and policy opportunities and barriers at the state level for facilitating Joint Commission accreditation and certification, and priorities. Develop comprehensive annual strategic plans.

2. Supervises professional state relations staff and other government relations staff. Directs state relations staff in their roles by making work assignments and helping staff manage their priorities, and responsibilities to meet state strategic plans.

3. Works with EVP and Director, Federal Relations to align state relations strategy with federal relations strategy.

4. As necessary, prepares and / or works with other government relations staff to prepare amendments to state legislative proposals and provides Joint Commission comments on proposed regulations to protect and enhance accreditation-related activities and Joint Commission priorities.

5. Works in coordination with other departments to provide input and make decisions on state relations needs relevant to Joint Commission programs and priorities.

6. Identifies new opportunities to grow The Joint Commission’s portfolio of state government recognition programs and/ or state-level drivers.

7. Leads the states relations portfolio by engaging in new policy work to further The Joint Commission’s mission. Ensures that the Joint Commission stays important and stays in high regard to state policymakers through relationship building.

8. On a regular basis, acts as a key interface with State Medicaid offices and other similar entities. Functions as an enterprise resource for activities related to state activities and Medicaid. Work with government relations staff to stay abreast of federal policies impacting Medicaid.

9. Establishes and maintains strong relationships with staff of public and private sector entities key to the Joint Commission’s successful partnerships for advancing state policies.

10. Directs the Government Relation’s states work by staying apprised of health care developments that are shaping legislation and public policies relevant to the Joint Commission’s work.

11. Ensures the development of strategies and agendas for meetings with state officials, and coordinates participation in these meetings with other Joint Commission representatives as needed.

12. Coordinates responses and responds to internal inquiries concerning The Joint Commission’s state government matters.

13. Represents the Joint Commission at high-level state meetings that address a variety of issues of interest to the work and mission of The Joint Commission. Gives presentations to national audiences.  

14. Analyzes regulations and statutory language and develops summaries noting importance to The Joint Commission’s mission and programs.

15. Assists staff in developing mechanisms to stay fully informed on state legislative and regulatory issues related to The Joint Commission. Directs efforts to analyze proposed regulations and legislation to assess their effects on The Joint Commission’s programs and priorities.

16. Helps develop materials to educate government officials and other key stakeholders about Joint Commission activities and its mission.

17. Keeps EVP and Joint Commission leadership routinely apprised of state activities.

18. Assists the EVP with the development and administration of the State Relation’s budget and staff needs.

1. Master’s degree in public policy, public health, health care administration, government, law or a related field is required.

2. Increasingly visible experience in state policy work. At least Ten years’ experience related to state government, legislative and / or regulatory affairs covering health care policy matters.

3. Demonstrates knowledge of Medicaid and related activities.

4. Ability to maintain currency on a broad array of health care issues and public policies in order to represent The Joint Commission.

5. Ability to both analyze and synthesize complex legislation and regulations quickly and accurately and write cogent summaries. Ability to integrate diverse sources of information and develop suggestions for Joint Commissions policies and procedures.

6. Proven management skills. Excellent mentoring and coaching skills.

7. Demonstrates ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of regulatory, governmental, professional and other senior level representatives concerning health care issues.

8. Written and oral communication skills necessary to effectively present information and ideas in proposals, position papers, written communications and speeches.

9. Interpersonal skills necessary to participate in negotiations with individuals outside the Joint Commission.

10. Travel as needed to perform duties.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position.  The description is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and abilities, and working conditions associated with this position.