LTCR Nursing Facilities Senior Investigator

Brief Job Description

Nursing Facilities Senior Investigator – Starting Market Rate Salary $83,371.89
As part of a collaborative team of public servants, an investigator protects residents’ health and safety by conducting on-site inspections and investigations in Texas long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and day activities and health services sites) to assess their compliance with state and federal laws and rules. This position offers a competitive starting salary; excellent state benefits, including health insurance and retirement; and the opportunity to regularly travel to different facilities within a region and across the state.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• Conducts on-site licensure inspections, complaint and incident investigations, and annual comprehensive surveys in facilities to determine compliance with federal and state health and safety regulations.
• Completes inspection or survey reports detailing deficiencies.
• Communicates clearly and accurately with others (internally and externally) to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, or resolve issues or complaints in Texas long-term care facilities.
• Conducts exit conferences with facility staff regarding findings.
• Visits long-term care facilities to verify correction of previously cited regulatory violations. Performs quality assurance reviews of documents prepared by others; for example, publications, assessments, reports.
• Develops and implements training for field investigators. Participates as a member of other teams within HHSC Long-term Care Regulation, including enforcement and quality assurance.
• Occasionally might need to testify at hearings or in court proceedings to provide information regarding policy/procedures, history, findings, or activities.
• In the event of emergency licensure action, be available to assist with non-skilled care and oversight to residents in a facility. If the employee is a current registered or licensed nurse, there is a potential for skilled care.
• Be available for on-call duties for emergencies such as weather events or high-priority situations in facilities or at providers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of acceptable professional standards of resident care.
• Knowledge, ability, and skill in conducting high-level investigations.
• Skilled in conducting investigations to verify regulatory compliance.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions and regulation-based recommendations.
• Ability to operate personal computer-based programs and complete data entry and technically correct, error-free reports.
• Ability to multi-task and track multiple activities with competing priorities.
• Ability to complete a high-volume, deadline-driven workload.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and reach sound decisions.
• Ability to use the computer for writing reports.
• Ability to integrate complex regulatory concepts, procedures, and processes.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively present information to executive-level management.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

• Must have Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test (SMQT) Certification or obtain within 12 months of hire.
• If the applicant has a license and/or certification in a professional area that is eligible for federal qualification as a health facilities surveyor the license must be current and valid in the State of Texas (e.g., registered or licensed nurse, dietitian, social worker, sanitarian, respiratory therapist, etc.), as applicable.

Initial Screening Criteria

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public administration, health care administration, hospital administration, business administration, education, psychology, social work, sociology, nursing, medicine or a discipline related to developmental disabilities or gerontology, or a related field.
• Experience in a Texas state agency regulatory program, or experience working as a Registered Nurse, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education, with a maximum substitution of four years.
• Experience in writing deficiencies/violations and investigation reports.
• Experience conducting health care provider or related investigations and in citing deficiencies preferred.
• Experience with state and federal regulations specific to long term care preferred.

Additional Information

• Flexibility in work hours is required for this position. The job requires 85% 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.

ADA Accommodations

• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability.

Telework Disclaimer

• This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.