LTCR Nursing Facilities Investigator V

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Brenham, TX

2d•$75,827 - $93,138•Onsite

About The Position

The LTCR Nursing Facilities Investigator V is a front-line field position with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Under the direction of a program manager, the investigator conducts on-site licensure inspections, complaint and incident investigations, and annual comprehensive surveys 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 regulations. The investigator writes reports documenting deficiencies or violations, corrective remedies, and supporting narratives for regulatory determinations. The role is mobile and flexible, with minimal office work, and requires extensive travel within a region and across Texas. The position also involves communicating with facility staff and other parties, conducting exit conferences, revisiting facilities to verify corrections, reviewing documents prepared by others for quality assurance, and potentially testifying at hearings or court proceedings. In emergency licensure actions, the investigator may assist with non-skilled resident care and oversight; skilled care may be possible for employees who are registered or licensed nurses. On-call availability may be required for weather emergencies and other high-priority situations. Flexibility in work hours, reliable transportation, and overnight and weekend travel are required. Applicants must pass applicable background checks and disclose potential conflicts of interest, secondary employment, volunteer activities, and connections to regulated providers.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, or qualifying investigative or long-term-care experience substituted year for year for the required education, up to four years.
Must have Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test (SMQT) certification or obtain it within 12 months of hire.
Experience writing reports.
Experience operating personal computers and software.
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.
Must pass fingerprint criminal background and SEMARC checks; additional checks may apply.
Must have reliable transportation.
Must be flexible in work hours and able to travel up to 80%, including statewide, overnight, and weekend travel; on-call duties may be required.

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 long-term care facilities to determine compliance with federal and state health and safety regulations.
Complete inspection and survey reports documenting deficiencies.
Communicate clearly and accurately with internal and external parties to provide, exchange, or verify information; answer inquiries; and address or resolve issues and complaints.
Conduct exit conferences with facility staff to discuss 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 about policies, procedures, history, findings, or activities.
In emergency licensure actions, be available to assist with non-skilled resident care and oversight; skilled care may be possible for current registered or licensed nurses.
Be available for on-call duties for emergencies, weather events, or high-priority situations at facilities or providers.