Registered Nurse Health Compliance Inspector Home Care - FAA00601 (HP III RN)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

38d

About The Position

As a Registered Nurse (RN) Health Professional III, you will use your clinical expertise to ensure quality of care, protect patient rights, and promote excellence in healthcare delivery across diverse settings. This position is ideal for a nurse who wants to move beyond bedside care and apply their knowledge to improve systems, uphold standards, and influence statewide health outcomes. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is a healthy, sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive. 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 healthcare facilities and services throughout Colorado. These include hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, dialysis centers, emergency medical service providers, trauma centers, long-term care facilities, and community-based programs such as home care, home health, and hospice. Within this structure, the Home and Community Facilities Branch oversees providers that deliver care in the home and community setting, including Class A and Class B Home Care Agencies, Home Health Agencies, and Hospice Programs. Oversight ensures that these entities deliver safe, high-quality services, uphold patient rights, and maintain compliance with applicable regulations, including: 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 - General Licensure Standards; 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 26 - Home Care Regulations; 10 CCR 2505-10 §§8.500 and 8.540 - Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) Medical Assistance, Home Health, and Private Duty Nursing Services; and CMS Appendix B of the State Operations Manual - Federal Home Health Agency Requirements. The RN Health Professional III performs professional and field-based work involving the licensure, certification, and survey of home- and community-based providers. This position requires strong clinical judgment, knowledge of regulatory frameworks, and the ability to balance enforcement with education. The RN HPIII directly supports CDPHE's mission to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play through the assurance of safe, equitable, and compliant home and community-based care. This position is staffed by licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) who work both independently and as members of an interdisciplinary team to ensure that home and community-based providers deliver safe, high-quality care in accordance with state and federal regulations. The RN Health Professional III serves as the clinical expert on survey teams responsible for the licensure, certification, and ongoing evaluation of Home Care, Home Health, and Hospice agencies. This role requires strong clinical judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to balance objective enforcement with supportive education. The RN HPIII contributes directly to CDPHE's mission to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play by ensuring individuals receiving home care, home health, or hospice services experience safe, person-centered, and compliant care environments.

Requirements

Six (6) years of applicable health care in a facility or program regulated by the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division.
Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
A combination of education and 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
Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
A pre-employment background check
Active, unrestricted RN license
Ability and willingness to travel independently or with a group of other health professionals up to 50% of the time throughout Colorado.
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.
Must be vaccinated against COVID19.
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 time including climbing multiple flights of stairs.
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.
RN clinical judgment in the field: Applies nursing standards to evaluate care, medication administration, infection control, and patient safety across Home Care, Home Health, and Hospice settings.
Regulatory application: Interprets and applies 6 CCR 1011-1 (Ch. 2 & 26), CMS SOM Appendix B, and HCPF 10 CCR 2505-10 (e.g., §§8.500, 8.540 PDN) to case-specific facts.
Survey methods: Plans and conducts observations, interviews (clients/families/staff), and record reviews; analyzes evidence to determine compliance/noncompliance; documents scope/severity.
Deficiency writing: Produces clear, concise, and legally defensible Statements of Deficiencies with accurate regulatory citations and evidence.
Technology fluency: Proficient with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and secure file systems; navigates EMR extracts and uploads survey evidence.
Communication & professionalism: Explains findings and standards to providers; models integrity, transparency, and respect; maintains impartiality under pressure.
Critical thinking: Synthesizes complex clinical and operational information; forms sound conclusions supported by evidence.
Safety & field readiness: Meets the physical demands of on-site work (travel, prolonged standing, PPE use) and adheres to safety protocols.
Thoroughness & detail: Demonstrates disciplined documentation, meticulous evidence handling, and deadline reliability.
Conflict management: De-escalates tense interactions; manages disagreement constructively; does not avoid necessary, difficult conversations.

Nice To Haves

State service experience: Prior Colorado state service relevant to licensure/certification/survey work.
RN practice background: Clinical experience in acute care, specialized units, home health, hospice, or home care; PDN/vent-trach, wound care, high-risk meds, or transitions of care experience.
Quality & compliance: Experience evaluating quality of care, adverse events, incident reviews, and corrective action/POC validation.
Interview proficiency: Skilled in trauma-informed and stakeholder-appropriate interviewing (clients, families, staff, external practitioners).
Analytic writing: Track record of clear regulatory narratives, evidence grids, and decision memos that withstand appeal or legal scrutiny.
Data comfort: Ability to interpret EMR reports, staffing/scheduling data, and quality indicators to target probes and corroborate findings.
Systems thinking: Understands agency operations (governance, QAPI, supervision, delegation) and how they impact bedside outcomes.
Education & coaching: Experience serving as a resource/educator to providers on regulatory expectations and sustainable remediation.

Responsibilities

Conducting on-site and desk reviews to evaluate compliance with state and federal standards
Assessing nursing and clinical services for adherence to accepted professional practice
Identifying and documenting findings related to quality of care, patient safety, and consumer rights
Interpreting and applying complex regulations, including HCPF and CMS requirements
Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to promote consistency, quality improvement, and regulatory alignment across home and community programs
Assessing the care, treatment, and quality of life provided by healthcare facilities and agencies through direct observation, staff and consumer interviews, and record review.
Applying professional judgment and clinical experience in evaluating compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures, including 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapters 2 and 26, and 10 CCR 2505-10 §§8.500 and 8.540.
Serving as the RN member of the survey team, conducting nursing observations, medication administration reviews, and other clinical evaluation tasks as applicable.
Reviewing incidents, complaints, and serious occurrences to determine whether licensed facilities and agencies intervened appropriately to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.
Writing statements of deficiencies that identify areas of non-compliance with state and federal requirements based on survey and investigation findings.
Acting as a resource, educator, and interpreter of regulations for providers, consumers, and stakeholders, promoting a consistent understanding of standards and expectations across Colorado's home and community-based care continuum.

Benefits

Employee wellness programs and facilities
Extensive professional development opportunities across numerous disciplines
Career advancement within the State system
Strong yet flexible retirement options (PERA Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution Plans, with optional 401K/457)
Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays annually plus generous leave benefits
Mentorship and leadership development programs
Tuition assistance for college-level and advanced degree programs
Flexible schedules and supportive work-life balance initiatives
A variety of employee resource groups and a welcoming, inclusive culture