Registered Nurse, Health Care Facility Inspector, South Region

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Marlborough, MA

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is seeking a Registered Nurse to conduct surveys of nursing homes, hospitals, and other health care facilities and review inspection findings. The Health Care Facility Surveyor helps ensure that facilities comply with state and federal regulations. This field position surveys facilities statewide, with most assignments in the South Region. Travel to the Division’s main office in Marlborough will occasionally be required. Applicants need access to a reliable vehicle. The role may require occasional weekend work and mandatory overtime. The position inspects facility departments and services for compliance with certification and licensure rules, drafts reports based on on-site inspections and desk reviews, and evaluates plans of correction. It also includes follow-up visits, contributing to methods for evaluating facilities and services, and providing consultation, guidance, and training to health care professionals and other staff involved in patient care and program direction. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health works to prevent illness, injury, and premature death; assure access to high-quality public health and health care services; and promote wellness and health equity. It coordinates programs and policies, enforces regulations, licenses health professionals and facilities, operates a state laboratory and four public health hospitals, monitors health status, maintains vital records, and works with local boards of health and community partners.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles and practices of health care administration.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency officials, staff associates, other employees, providers, vendors, and health care administrators.
Ability to understand, apply, and explain laws, rules, and regulations concerning hospital licensure for accreditation.
Familiarity with factors, trends, and problems in providing health care services to groups such as older adults, children, and people with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
At least three years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic, or medical facility, including at least one year in a supervisory, administrative, or managerial capacity, or an equivalent combination of experience and permitted substitutions.
A bachelor's degree with a major in nursing may substitute for up to one year of the required nursing experience; a graduate degree with a major in nursing may substitute for up to two years. Education toward such a degree is prorated. No substitution is permitted for the supervisory, administrative, or managerial experience requirement.
Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Current and valid Class D Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
Access to a reliable vehicle for transportation.

Nice To Haves

At least 3–5 years of professional experience as a registered nurse in a health care facility, preferably a nursing home.
Experience in a health care profession in addition to basic investigative skills.
General knowledge of state and federal regulations related to hospitals and nursing homes.
Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, discretion, confidentiality, and decision-making to achieve objectives.
Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, along with interpersonal, interviewing, teamwork, communication, and organizational skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

Inspect and survey departments of health care facilities and services to determine compliance with certification and licensure rules and regulations.
Draft reports about health care facilities and services based on on-site inspections and desk reviews, documenting conformance with federal requirements and state regulations.
Evaluate plans of correction submitted by health care facilities and conduct follow-up visits to determine ongoing compliance.
Participate in developing methods to evaluate health care facilities, services, and related programs, including service utilization, recipient characteristics, professional involvement, and operational costs.
Provide consultation, guidance, and training to facility health care professionals and other staff involved in patient care and program direction.