Heath Facility Evaluator - Nursing Evaluator

Location: St. Cloud • Hybrid telework eligible • Full-time, unlimited (permanent) position

About the role

Join the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as a Health Facility Evaluator and use your nursing expertise to evaluate health care providers, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and rules related to nursing and health services. This position involves surveillance, documentation, and follow-up to confirm regulatory adherence.

Based in the St. Cloud office, you will spend up to 75% of your time traveling to facilities in the surrounding region for onsite evaluations. The remaining work may be performed via telework from your home office. Occasional weekend work and overnight travel may be required, with reimbursement for authorized business travel expenses provided according to bargaining unit guidelines.

This vacancy is open to fill up to two (2) Health Facility Evaluator positions. In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of this area at the time of application must relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate health care providers using nursing and health knowledge, and expertise in survey documents.
• Document conclusions to determine the degree of regulation compliance.
• Conduct periodic unannounced follow-up visits to health care providers to ascertain compliance with correction orders and previously issued deficiencies.
• Attend legal proceedings or hearings regarding deficiencies, issuance of penalty assessments, abuse/neglect, or termination/adverse action situations.

Requirements

• Currently licensed in Minnesota as a Registered Nurse, without restriction.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in a health care setting in roles such as:
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Charge Nurse (must include at least two years as an RN Charge Nurse)
  • RN Supervisor
  • Director of Nursing
  • Health Care Administrator
• Substitution options:
  • A master’s degree in nursing, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Psychology, Social Work, Medical Field, or a closely related area may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience.
  • A bachelor’s degree in one of the above areas may substitute for twelve (12) months of experience.
  • An associate’s degree in one of the above areas may substitute for six (6) months of experience.

Additional Requirements (Assessed at Interview)

• Oral and written communication skills sufficient to interview staff, residents, clients, and patients, and to document concise, accurate, and complete information and conclusions.
• Listening skills to ascertain the level of compliance in meeting resident/client needs.
• Critical thinking skills to collect and analyze information, identify areas of focus, and make evidence-based decisions.
• Interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships, inform providers of deficiencies, and participate in legal proceedings.
• Computer skills sufficient to document findings and conclusions.
• Decision-making skills to draw conclusions during surveys and defend legal actions related to deficiencies in nursing, medical, and health care.

Preferred Qualifications

• Successful completion of the Federal Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test (SMQT).
• Experience with the federal informal dispute resolution process for federally certified nursing homes.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to nursing and health services, and the ability to interpret these for implementation.
• Experience conducting internal quality assurance activities.
• Experience working in a federally certified care facility such as a nursing home, supervised living facility, or comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility.

Additional Notes

• This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
• While a valid driver’s license is not required, travel is necessary, and the candidate is responsible for meeting this demand.
• Completion of the Federal Surveyor Minimum Qualification Test (SMQT) is required after training provided by MDH.
• MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and cannot sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions.
• All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

Pay

$39.06 - $57.76 / hourly • $81,557 - $120,603 / annually

Schedule

• Day shift: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Days of work: Monday - Friday
• Travel required: Up to 75% of the time, including occasional weekend work and overnight travel.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan providing income after retirement (vesting after three years of service)
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources promoting physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
• Training, classes, and professional development opportunities
• Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (for qualifying positions)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including mental health, relationship challenges, grief and loss, finances, legal issues, and daily living/convenience services

Benefits eligibility varies based on employment type, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.