LTCR Geriatric Licensed Only Facilities Surveyor

About the role

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

Essential Job Functions

• Conducts on-site licensure inspections, complaint and incident investigations, and annual comprehensive surveys to include the investigation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation at Long-Term Care (LTC) providers to determine compliance with federal and state health and safety regulations. Conducts exit conferences at the end of an inspection with facility staff regarding preliminary findings of the inspection. (25%)
• Completes written reports for each inspection or survey to detail deficiencies and provide narratives to support regulatory findings. Summarizes facts obtained during an investigation to determine whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred. Ensures documentation is clear and concise; ensures course corrections implemented by the providers are appropriate to address the risk or noncompliance with regulations identified during inspections and investigations. If abuse, neglect, or exploitation did occur, makes a referral to HHSC’s Employee Misconduct Registry of the alleged perpetrator. (25%)
• Establishes priorities in gathering evidence to determine what methods to use in securing evidence such as going through the interview process or reviewing records to determine compliance or noncompliance. Analyzes evidence to complete a thorough investigation and determine if there is a preponderance of evidence. Evidence must follow chain of custody and be protected during the process. (25%)
• Reviews and approves corrective action plans to address noncompliance with the regulations; responsible for informing the provider of issues that require immediate remedial action to ensure the health and safety of consumers. Recommends enforcement actions; ensures administrative penalties are assessed and processed according to state and federal requirements. (10%)
• Participates in meetings to discuss major issues identified during the inspection/investigation, and the outcome of the inspection/investigations. Testifies at hearings and court proceedings regarding the investigation findings and compliance determinations. Trains new hires by conducting on-the-job training which includes mentoring, shadowing, and return demonstrations. (10%)
• Performs other duties as assigned by their supervisor, or regional leadership, and that are required to maintain unit operations. This includes being available for on-call duties for emergencies such as weather events or high-priority situations at providers. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of and ability to interpret local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program area
• Knowledge of acceptable professional standards of care
• Skill in conducting inspections and investigations and determining proper courses of action
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to prepare reports, to interpret laws and regulations, to gather and analyze data and to communicate effectively
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and reach sound decisions
• Ability to integrate complex regulatory concepts, procedures, or processes
• Ability to multi-task and track multiple activities with competing priorities
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members and others
• Ability to work in a potentially emotion-filled environment
• Ability to operate a computer, tablet, laptop device, smartphone, fax machine, copy machine, and various software packages, including Microsoft Office
• Ability to conduct interviews in various locations, including private residences, day habilitation facilities, group homes, and state-operated facilities
• Ability to work in environments where violent and dangerous individuals may be present
• Ability to oversee the work of others

Qualifications

• Valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state is required
• Experience interacting with or communicating with members of the public, in person or by phone
• Four-year degree from an accredited college or university, preferred
• Experience conducting investigations preferred
• Experience working with individuals with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or physical disabilities preferred

Additional information

• This position conducts on-site inspections and investigations including those involving abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults and children with mental illness or intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities in various Texas Long-Term Care facilities: Licensed-only Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS), DAHS-Individualized Skills and Socialization (DAHS-ISS), and Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers
• Investigations are completed in accordance with Texas Administrative Code and Long-Term Care Regulatory (LTCR) policy
• The Inspector will testify at hearings or in court proceedings to provide information regarding policy/procedures, history, findings, or activities
• Works occasionally outside of traditional working hours (8 am – 5 pm), which includes evening hours, weekends, and holidays, as required for case-related functions, on-call duties, and/or as required by management
• In this front-line field position, a surveyor is mobile and flexible and performs minimal work at an office, though the role does require writing reports detailing any deficiencies/violations against a facility, remedies to correct those deficiencies, and narrative to support regulatory determinations
• Flexibility in work hours is required for this position
• The job requires 80% travel, including statewide travel, overnight, and weekend travel
• On-call duties for emergencies or high-priority situations in facilities or at providers may be required
• Must have reliable transportation
• All applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check
• If you are an active or former licensed nursing facility administrator, certified nurse aide, or medication aide, hiring will be pending until professional licensing and Employee Misconduct Registry checks are completed
• If you are offered and accept the position, you will not be permitted to continue employment at any HHSC regulated facilities or providers
• You will be required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, secondary employment, volunteer activities, and friends/family who own, operate, or work at regulated providers
• HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Generous time off benefits
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement
• HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments
• Lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas
• Competitive starting salary – Starting Market Rate Salary $60,431.88

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