Registered Nurse Health Compliance Inspector, Nursing Facilities - FAA00392 (HP III RN)

Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is seeking a Registered Nurse to join their Nursing Facilities Section. This role involves evaluating healthcare facilities for compliance with state and federal regulations, requiring a strong background in nursing and the ability to conduct assessments independently or as part of a team. Ideal candidates will possess excellent judgment, communication skills, and a commitment to improving healthcare quality across Colorado.

Benefits

Employee wellness programs

Professional development opportunities

Flexible retirement benefits

Medical and dental health plans

Paid life insurance

Generous personal time off

Tuition assistance for college level courses

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse license required.
• Six years of applicable healthcare experience.
• Experience in compliance evaluations or nursing is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct nursing observations and assessments in healthcare facilities.
• Write clear, concise statements of deficiencies based on findings.
• Analyze compliance with health regulations through inspections.

Skills

Attention to detail

Evaluation skills

Communication

Judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Job description

Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division Now hiring for our Nursing Facilities Section
Be BOLD and make a real difference . . .

Do you desire a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a career position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Colorado citizens. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In addition to working with a great team and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Employee wellness programs and facilities
• Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
• Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
• Tuition assistance for college level courses including Masters degree programs
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and
• A variety of employee resource groups

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: http://www.tgslc.org/borrowers/public-service/


The Work Unit:
The Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) is responsible for the oversight and enforcement of a broad range of federal and state statutes and regulations applicable to a wide variety of health care facilities and services in Colorado, numbering approximately 3,200 facilities, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical facilities, renal dialysis centers, emergency medical services providers, designated trauma centers, long term care facilities, and many other specific types of health care services. The division licenses, recommends certification and conducts routine surveys (sampling inspections) for healthcare facilities and consumer services; provides consumer safety and healthcare quality programs; recognizes Emergency Medical Service (EMS) education programs and certifies EMS providers; and licenses all air ambulance services operating within the state.

This work unit exists to: (1) protect the health, safety, and welfare of patients/residents of health care facilities in the state of Colorado, by evaluating and securing compliance of licensed and certified facilities and providers, utilizing applicable federal and state laws/regulations and professional standards of practice; and (2) to provide to the public information on health care facilities.

Summary of Position:
This position is staffed by professionals who work independently or as a member of an interdisciplinary team to assess the care, treatment and quality of life provided by health care facilities through observations, interviews, and record review. Uses experience, training and judgment in evaluating and applying statutes, regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures on a case-by-case, item-by-item basis for facility compliance/violation. Works
as the RN required for the survey team, and conducts nursing observations and medication pass task, and other tasks as applicable. Reviews occurrences and incidents of serious deficiencies and assesses whether licensed health facilities intervened appropriately. Writes statements of deficiencies, identifying areas of non-compliance with federal and state requirements based on survey/investigation results. Acts as resource, educator, and
interpreter of regulations for service providers and consumers, based upon established guidelines, policies and procedures.

Duties of Position:

• On an unannounced basis, independently or as a member of an interdisciplinary team, surveys (inspects) Nursing Facilities to determine whether the entity is operating in compliance with applicable statutes/regulations.
  
• Assesses and evaluates health care facility quality of care, services, and treatment of the residents/patients as well as facility practices through observations, record review, as well as interviews with residents/patients, family members, staff, and outside agency and medical professionals.
  
• Collects and documents evidence and survey results based upon observations, interviews and record review.
  
• Analyzes the evidence and survey results in order to determine whether and how the health care facility is out of compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
  
• Uses judgment and experience in choosing specific regulations to be cited. Writes clear, concise, and legally defensible statements of deficiencies based on analysis of the documented findings and extensive knowledge of these laws, regulations and guidelines.
  
• Advises health care facility providers, health care consumers, and other governmental agencies regarding regulatory requirements.
  
• Decides what inspection areas identified as non-compliant will be cited and then decides the specific regulation that the deficiency should be cited under.
  
• Investigates complex complaint allegations, analyzes the data gathered during the
• investigation, determines whether the allegations of regulatory noncompliance are substantiated and, if substantiated, determines the appropriate regulatory citations to be issued.

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

C7C3XX HEALTH PROFESSIONAL III

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

This experience and education must be substantiated within the Work Experience & Education section of your application. Please be sure to enter all relevant job history and education within the last 10 years. See Resume and missing relevant employment or education criteria will not be credited towards the minimum qualifications. Education will be credited on a year-for-year basis. Part-time work will be pro-rated. If using education to substitute for experience please upload a copy of your unofficial transcripts to your application.

Experience:

Six (6) years of applicable health care in a facility or program regulated by the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division

AND

Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of education & experience equivalent to six (6) years such as two (2) years of professional health care in a facility or program regulated by the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division

AND

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, or closely related field

AND

Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment background check

• Ability and willingness to travel independently or with a group of other health professionals up to 50% of the time throughout Colorado.

• Active, unrestricted RN license
  

• Must be willing to work in environments where contagious diseases may be present (appropriate personal protective equipment and procedural protocols will be provided).

• Be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

• Be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place

• Must be proficient in word processing and able to use current communication technology to connect to the office from the field.

• Must obtain an influenza shot annually prior to the onset of the flu season or wear a mask while on facility/agency premises. *See exemption note below

• Must be vaccinated against COVID19. **See note below

• Must be able to perform annual fit testing for N-95 masks, as well as complete annual training on donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Must be able to work occasional evening, night, weekend, or holidays depending upon circumstances of survey or complaint.

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 45lbs. of equipment for extended periods of time.

• Must be able to walk or stand for extended periods of timeincluding climbing multiple flights of stairs.

• Must be able to hold a tablet computer in a standing position.

• Once employed in this position, must successfully complete and apply all required surveyor training (unless training is unavailable) within the first six (6) months of service.

• Requires the use and operation of state fleet vehicles. ***conditions apply

*Religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance.
**Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
*** Conditions apply to use of fleet vehicles such as location and availability

Preferred and Essential Competencies:
Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidates position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior or other posted competency should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process.

• Proficiency in fundamental computer skills such as navigating operating systems, using basic software applications, and communicating through email is required.
  
• Non-clinical or clinical health care experience, preferably in an acute or specialized setting nursing facility or agency but will consider other areas such as assisted living/home care, etc
  
• Experience with evaluating a health care facility's quality of care, services, and treatment of the residents/clients.
  
• Experience to evaluate facility practices through observations and record review.
  
• Experience with conducting interviews with residents/patients, family members, staff, outside agencies and medical professionals.
  
• Experience with analyzing evidence and survey results to determine if and why a healthcare facility is out of compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
  
• Experience writing clear, concise, and legally defensible statements of deficiencies.
  
• Experience and proficiency in word processing and able to use current communication technology.
  
• Ability to analyze and interpret clinical evidence and observe, record, and interpret information.
  
• Ability to perform the physical demands of this active position.
  
• Thoroughness when performing work and conscientiousness in attention to detail.
  
• Model high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness and respect for individuals.
  
• Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely.
  
• Interpersonal and Conflict Management Skills- Displays understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy and concern; develops and maintains effective relationships; deals skillfully with people who are difficult, hostile or distressed; effectively manages and resolves conflicts, confrontations and disagreements in a positive and constructive way; does not avoid conflict when it can produce better solutions.
  

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at [e-mail] within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules .

A completed State of Colorado application includes:

• Unofficial transcripts if using education to substitute for experience.

• DD214 if claiming veterans status

The Selection Process:
All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager. E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

ADAAA Accommodations:
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Dan McKenna, [e-mail] call 303-692-2060, option 5.