Health Facility Evaluator - Nursing Evaluator

Location: Bemidji, MN – Hybrid (up to 50% telework for applicants within Minnesota or bordering states within 50 miles of the assigned work location)

About the role

Join the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as a Health Facility Evaluator, where you’ll use your nursing expertise to evaluate and audit health care providers for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. This role involves conducting onsite surveillance, documenting findings, and ensuring correction of deficiencies through follow-up visits. Based in Bemidji, you’ll travel up to 80% of the time, primarily within Minnesota, with occasional overnight stays and weekend work as needed. Reimbursement for authorized travel expenses is provided.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and audit health care providers to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Compile information and document conclusions to assess the degree of compliance.
• Conduct periodic unannounced follow-up visits to verify correction of previously issued deficiencies.
• Travel frequently (up to 80%) to survey facilities statewide, including occasional overnight stays and weekend work.
• Work hours vary between 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Monday – Friday, with flexibility for inspection workload demands.

Requirements

• Current, unrestricted Minnesota Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Two (2) years of experience in a health care setting, such as:
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Charge Nurse (with at least two years as an RN charge nurse)
  • RN Supervisor
  • Director of Nursing
  • Health Care Administrator
• Substitution options:
  • Master’s degree in nursing, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Psychology, or a closely related field may substitute for 18 months of experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree in one of the above fields may substitute for 12 months of experience.
  • Associate’s degree in one of the above fields may substitute for 6 months of experience.
• Successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
• Must relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of hire if residing outside the state or beyond 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application.
• Must complete the Federal Surveyor Minimum Qualification Test (SMQT) after training provided by MDH.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills to interview staff, residents, and patients, and document accurate findings.
• Critical thinking skills to analyze information, identify compliance gaps, and make evidence-based decisions.
• Human relations skills to maintain effective working relationships, communicate deficiencies, and participate in legal proceedings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a federally certified care facility and knowledge of federal/state nursing and health service regulations.
• Familiarity with the federal informal dispute resolution process for nursing homes.
• Successful completion of the Federal Surveyor Minimum Qualification Test (SMQT).
• Experience conducting internal quality assurance activities or surveys related to nursing, medical, and health care compliance.

Pay

$39.06 – $57.76 per hour ($81,557 – $120,603 annually).

Schedule

• Full-time, unlimited (permanent) position.
• Day shift with variable hours (6:00 AM – 8:00 PM), Monday – Friday.
• Occasional overnight travel and weekend work as needed.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave, plus 12 paid holidays per year.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• Fertility care (including IVF), diabetes care, and dental/orthodontic coverage for adults and children.
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave for newborn or newly adopted children.
• Pension plan providing retirement income after three years of service.
• Employer-paid life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care.
• Resources for physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility (for qualifying positions).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including mental health, relationship challenges, grief, finances, and legal issues.