Investigator V

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Arlington, TX

11d•$57,614 - $93,138•Onsite

About The Position

The Investigator V, also described as a Nursing Facilities Investigator V, conducts on-site inspections and investigations at Texas long-term care facilities—including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and day activities and health services sites—to assess compliance with state and federal health and safety laws and rules. The role includes licensure inspections, complaint and incident investigations, annual comprehensive surveys, verification of corrections to cited violations, and preparation of reports describing deficiencies, corrective remedies, and supporting regulatory determinations. The position is a mobile, front-line field role with minimal office work and substantial regional and statewide travel. The Investigator V works under the direction of a program manager and collaborates with facility staff and internal and external contacts. The employee may conduct exit conferences, review other employees’ documents for quality assurance, and occasionally testify at hearings or court proceedings. During emergency licensure actions, the employee may assist with non-skilled resident care and oversight; skilled care may be possible for employees who are licensed or registered nurses. On-call duties may be required for weather emergencies or other high-priority situations. Flexibility in work hours, reliable transportation, and overnight and weekend travel are required. Applicants must pass specified background checks, including fingerprint and SEMARC checks; additional registry or licensing checks may apply. The position may be eligible for telework subject to agency policies, supervisor discretion, and business needs.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, or investigative experience or long-term-care experience substituted for the education requirement year for year, up to four years.
Experience writing detailed reports.
Experience operating personal computers and software.
Must have Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test (SMQT) certification or obtain it within 12 months of hire.
Knowledge of acceptable professional standards of patient care.
Skill in conducting investigations to verify compliance.
Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
Ability to multitask and track multiple activities with competing priorities.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to use a computer to write reports.
Ability to exercise professional judgment and reach sound decisions.
Ability to integrate complex regulatory concepts, procedures, and processes.
Flexibility in work hours.
Ability to travel extensively, including statewide, overnight, and weekend travel; the posting states 80% travel in Additional Information and up to 85% in the posting details.
Must have reliable transportation.
Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check and SEMARC check; additional NAR and LNFA checks may apply.

Nice To Haves

Current license or registration as a nurse, social worker, respiratory therapist, or dietician.
Experience in regulatory services.
Experience conducting investigations.

Responsibilities

Conduct on-site licensure inspections, complaint and incident investigations, and annual comprehensive surveys at facilities to assess compliance with federal and state health and safety regulations.
Complete inspection and survey reports detailing deficiencies, remedies to correct deficiencies, and supporting narrative for regulatory determinations.
Communicate clearly and accurately with internal and external contacts to provide, exchange, or verify information; answer inquiries; and address or resolve issues and complaints.
Conduct exit conferences with facility staff regarding findings.
Visit long-term care facilities to verify correction of previously cited regulatory violations.
Perform quality assurance reviews of documents prepared by others, such as publications, assessments, and reports.
Occasionally testify at hearings or court proceedings regarding policy, procedures, history, findings, or activities.
During emergency licensure action, be available to assist with non-skilled care and oversight to residents; skilled care may be possible if currently licensed or registered as a nurse.
Be available for on-call duties for emergencies, weather events, or high-priority situations in facilities or at providers.