Health Facilities Surveyor / Long Term Care Bureau / Skilled Nursing Facilities / Nursing Facilities

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays and leave

Licensure and mentorship support

Job summary

The State of Iowa is seeking a Health & Safety Division surveyor to protect the well-being of Iowans by ensuring health care facilities meet required standards. You will survey, monitor, and evaluate facilities, identify improvements, and document findings for quality care.

Responsibilities include on-site surveys, investigations, and reporting. The role requires collaborating with teams, communicating with providers and leadership, and staying current on evolving laws and practices.

Qualifications

• Educational background in nursing, human services, or health administration with required licensure or registration.
• Experience in surveying, evaluating, or regulating health care facilities or services.
• Ability to interpret state and federal rules and apply them accurately.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills for findings and actions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site surveys and investigations of health care facilities and treatment programs.
• Evaluate compliance with state and federal regulations and document deficiencies.
• Lead or participate in survey teams, communicate findings to providers and leadership.
• Prepare accurate reports and present findings at conferences or meetings.
• Assist in adverse action processes and coordinate with legal counsel as needed.
• Stay current on evolving laws and best practices through ongoing training.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Interviewing

Communication

Professionalism

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Nursing degree and license

Pharmacy degree or health admin degree

Experience in health care regulation

Job description

Join the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing’s Health & Safety Division and play a vital role in protecting the well‑being of Iowans. In this position, you’ll survey, monitor, and evaluate health care and treatment facilities to ensure they meet state and federal standards. Your expertise will help identify and document areas for improvement, ensuring licensed and certified organizations provide safe, high‑quality care.

What You’ll Do

Join our Health & Safety Division Long-Term Care team and play a vital role in protecting Iowans by ensuring health care facilities meet the highest standards. You will:

• Make a difference by conducting on‑site surveys, revisits, and investigations that uphold state and federal rules and regulations.
• Champion fairness and compliance by applying rules and regulations with precision, integrity, and consistency.
• Lead and collaborate — whether as part of a survey team or as team leader — using all available resources, guiding team activities, and keeping open, clear communication with providers, administrators, and internal leadership.
• Share your expertise by presenting findings during exit conferences and preparing accurate reports.
• Build trust with providers, witnesses, and stakeholders through professional, approachable, and objective interactions.
• Stand up for quality care by supporting adverse action processes, documenting evidence, working with legal counsel, and testifying when needed.
• Stay ahead of the curve by keeping current on evolving laws, policies, and best practices through ongoing training and professional development.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who has:

• Knowledge of healthcare standards, modern care practices, and applicable state/federal regulations for licensed facilities and laboratories.
• Ability to assess services and identify deficiencies, with sound professional judgment.
• Strong interpersonal, interviewing, and communication skills to build relationships and document findings clearly.
• Demonstrated professionalism, ethical conduct, attention to detail, and ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Why Join Us?

The Iowa Department Of Inspections, Appeals, And Licensing Offers More Than Just a Job—it’s a Chance To Serve Your Community And Ensure Quality Healthcare Standards Are Being Upheld While Advancing Your Professional Goals. We Provide

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and retirement plans
• Opportunities for professional growth through training, mentorship, and licensure support
• A supportive and collaborative environment where your skills are valued
• Work‑life balance with paid holidays, generous leave, and consistent scheduling
• A meaningful mission - your work will help change lives and strengthen communities

Additional Information

The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The State of Iowa complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation in the application and selection process.

Veterans and eligible spouses will be given preference in the application process. Proof of veteran status will be required.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Completion of an educational program in professional Nursing and registration as a nurse or graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree with a concentration of study in a human services area (e.g., psychology, sociology, gerontology, anthropology, therapeutic recreation, rehabilitation, or a similar area related to provisions of services) and experience equal to three years of full‑time professional work; OR completion of a Pharmacy degree, a Master's degree, or advanced degree above the Master's level in a human services area at an accredited college or university, and experience equal to one year of full‑time professional work; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree and three years work experience in health administration; in a clinical substance abuse program; or in a regulatory program which involves the surveying and evaluating of situations, conditions and operating procedures of health care/treatment facilities; OR certification as a rehabilitation counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification plus specialized training or experience equal to one year of full‑time professional work in a nursing, treatment, or habilitation program for intellectually disabled clients; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the above specified experience for one year of the required education; OR thirty semester hours of graduate course work in public, business or health administration, in the health field or social work, counseling, or rehabilitation from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of experience to a maximum substitution of two years. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description .

Additional Qualification Requirements

• Applicants possessing licensure, certification, registration or degree should indicate such on the application form and may be required to provide proof at the time of interview.
• Licensure or temporary licensure by the State of Iowa is required for designated positions in this class. Applicants who now possess a current valid license from another state need not have an Iowa license to apply, but will be required to obtain the appropriate Iowa license prior to beginning actual employment.
• For purposes of qualifying for this job class, "professional experience" shall be indicated by having responsibility for assessment and diagnosis of client problems and needs, developing a plan of treatment, evaluating client progress toward meeting treatment goals, modifying treatment objectives, etc. Work at this level requires a prerequisite of post high school educational training or certification in the behavioral, social, health sciences, or health administration.
• Applicants for positions in the Department of Inspections and Appeals must undergo a background investigation which includes a criminal history check and a dependent adult and child abuse registry check.