LTCR Nursing Facilities Investigator V
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 in Texas long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and day activities and health services sites. The purpose is to assess compliance with state and federal health and safety laws and regulations and protect residents’ health and safety. The role is mobile, involves minimal office work, and requires preparing detailed reports documenting deficiencies or violations, corrective remedies, and regulatory determinations. The position involves frequent travel to facilities within a region and across Texas, including overnight and weekend travel. Flexibility in work hours, reliable transportation, and availability for emergency or high-priority on-call duties are required. The investigator may assist with non-skilled care and oversight during emergency licensure actions; skilled care may be possible for employees who are licensed nurses. Occasional testimony at hearings or court proceedings may be required. The position is based in Houston, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. The starting market-rate salary is $75,827.44. Applicants must pass required background checks. Employees may not continue employment at HHSC-regulated facilities or providers if they accept this position, and must disclose potential conflicts of interest and specified secondary activities or relationships.
Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, or qualifying investigative or long-term-care experience substituted year-for-year for education, up to four years.
- Must have Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test (SMQT) Certification or obtain it within 12 months of hire.
- Experience writing detailed 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.
- Flexibility in work hours; ability to meet travel requirements, including statewide, overnight, and weekend travel.
- Must have reliable transportation.
- Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check and SEMARC check; additional checks may apply.
- Must disclose potential conflicts of interest, secondary employment, volunteer activities, and friends or family who own, operate, or work at regulated providers.
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 detailing deficiencies or violations and supporting regulatory determinations.
- Communicate clearly and accurately with internal and external parties to provide, exchange, or verify information; answer inquiries; address issues; and resolve 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 policies, procedures, history, findings, or activities.
- When needed during emergency licensure action, assist with non-skilled care and oversight to facility residents; skilled care may be possible for a current registered or licensed nurse.
- Be available for on-call duties for emergencies, weather events, or high-priority situations at facilities or providers.
- Travel to facilities within a region and statewide, including overnight and weekend travel.
Benefits
- 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
- Defined benefit pension plan and lifetime monthly retirement annuity.
- 401(k) and 457 programs.
- Generous time off benefits.
- Opportunities for career advancement.
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
