LTCR Inspector V

This is a front-line field position with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in the Long-Term Care Regulatory (LTCR) division, Waiver Survey & Certification department. The role 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, Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Waiver Program, and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Waiver Program.

Starting market rate salary: $60,431.88 annually.

This position offers a competitive starting salary; excellent state benefits, including health insurance and retirement; and the opportunity to regularly travel to different providers within a region and across the state.

Essential Job Functions

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Conducts on-site licensure inspections, complaint and incident investigations, and annual comprehensive surveys, including 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 regarding whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred. Ensures documentation is clear and concise; ensures course corrections implemented by providers are appropriate to address the risk or noncompliance with regulations identified during inspections and investigations. If abuse, neglect, or exploitation is determined to have occurred, makes a referral to HHSC's Employee Misconduct Registry of the alleged perpetrator. (25%)
• Establishes priorities in gathering evidence to determine 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 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 investigation findings and compliance determinations. Trains new hires by conducting on-the-job training, including mentoring, shadowing, and return demonstrations. (10%)
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or regional leadership required to maintain unit operations, including 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, interpret laws and regulations, gather and analyze data, and 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.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

• Valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state is required.

Initial Screening Criteria

• 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

• Flexibility in work hours is required. 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.
• Excellent health benefits.
• Lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.