LTCR Inspector V HCSSA

Location: Harlingen, TX

About the role

The Inspector V 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 and Licensed-Only Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSA). 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.

This position requires occasional work outside of traditional working hours (8 am – 5 pm), including evening hours, weekends, and holidays, as needed for case-related functions, on-call duties, and/or as required by management. The role involves minimal office work, primarily focusing on field inspections and report writing.

This is a front-line field position offering a competitive starting salary, excellent state benefits, and regular travel to different providers within a region and across the state.

Responsibilities

• Conducts on-site licensure inspections, complaint and incident investigations, and annual comprehensive surveys, including investigations 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 with facility staff regarding preliminary findings (25%).
• Completes written reports for each inspection or survey, detailing deficiencies and providing narratives to support regulatory findings. Summarizes facts obtained during investigations to determine if abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred. Ensures documentation is clear and concise and that course corrections implemented by providers are appropriate. Refers cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to HHSC’s Employee Misconduct Registry (25%).
• Establishes priorities in gathering evidence, determines methods for securing evidence (e.g., interviews, record reviews), and analyzes evidence to complete thorough investigations. Ensures evidence follows chain of custody and is protected during the process (25%).
• Reviews and approves corrective action plans to address noncompliance with regulations. Informs providers of issues requiring immediate remedial action to ensure consumer health and safety. Recommends enforcement actions and ensures administrative penalties are assessed and processed according to state and federal requirements (10%).
• Participates in meetings to discuss major issues identified during inspections/investigations and their outcomes. Testifies at hearings and court proceedings regarding investigation findings and compliance determinations. Trains new hires through on-the-job training, including mentoring, shadowing, and return demonstrations (10%).
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisors or regional leadership to maintain unit operations, including on-call duties for emergencies such as weather events or high-priority situations at providers (5%).

Requirements

• Valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
• Ability to travel up to 80%, including statewide, overnight, and weekend travel. Reliable transportation is required.
• Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, SEMARC (Search Engine for Background Checks), and additional checks as applicable (e.g., Nurse Aide Registry, Licensed Nursing Facility Administrator check).
• If active or former licensed nursing facility administrator, certified nurse aide, or medication aide, hiring is pending until professional licensing and Employee Misconduct Registry checks are completed. Employment at HHSC-regulated facilities or providers is not permitted if hired.
• Must disclose potential conflicts of interest, secondary employment, volunteer activities, and relationships with individuals who own, operate, or work at regulated providers.

Qualifications

• 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).

Skills

• 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 and prepare reports.
• Ability to 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, 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.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.
• Eligibility 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.

Pay

Salary Range: $5,035.99 - $6,779.25 per month. Starting market rate salary: $60,431.88 annually.

Schedule

• Full-time, regular position.
• Day shift, with flexibility in work hours required, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays for case-related functions or on-call duties.
• Not eligible for telework.