Health Compliance Inspector RN (Nurse Consultant) - HFEMSD

Job Title

Nurse Consultant

Job Description

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 a wide variety of healthcare facilities and services in Colorado, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical facilities, renal dialysis centers, emergency medical services providers, designated and non-designated trauma centers, long term care facilities and many other specific types of healthcare services. The division licenses, certifies and surveys healthcare facilities and services; provides patient safety and healthcare quality programs; recognizes emergency medical service (EMS) education programs; certifies EMS providers and licenses all air and ground ambulance services operating within the state of Colorado.

The acute care section exists to: (1) protect the health, safety, and welfare of patients/of health care facilities in the state of Colorado, by evaluating and securing compliance of licensed and certified facilities and providers, utilizing applicable federal and state laws/regulations and professional standards of practice; and (2) to provide to the public information on health care facilities. Survey in Acute Care facilities: Acute Hospitals, Long Term Acute Care Hospitals, Psychiatric Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Clinics, Birth Centers, Community Clinics, Community Clinics with Emergency Centers, Free Standing Emergency Departments, End Stage Renal Disease Clinics, and Ambulatory Surgical Centers.

What You Will Do:

This position serves as an expert within the acute care program who works independently or as a team leader to assess the care, treatment and quality of care provided by acute care health care facilities through observations, interviews, and record review. This position must have specialized clinical experience. Uses expertise, training and clinical judgment in evaluating evidence and determining if statutes, regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures on a case-by-case, item-by-item basis for facility compliance/violation. This requires a higher level of evaluative critical thinking and decision making. This position reflects a high level of autonomy, critical thinking skills, flexibility and dedicated diligence to complete the work required.

Key Responsibilities:

• On an unannounced basis, independently or as a member of an interdisciplinary team, determines whether the entity is operating in compliance with applicable statutes/regulations.
• Assesses and evaluates health care facility quality of care, services, and treatment of the patients as well as facility practices through observations, record review, as well as interviews with patients, family members, staff, and outside agency and medical professionals.
• Executes the survey/investigation plan to ensure all tasks are completed in accordance with established guidelines and protocols.
• Collects data through observation, interviews with staff and patients/residents; reviews care and other facility records. Analyzes data and determines whether or not complaint allegations(s) is/are substantiated and resulted in deficient practice by the facility. Prepares findings and conclusions that are clear and concise.
• Coordinates team members and identifies non-compliance findings during an investigation and develops systems for keeping the investigation on track.
• Writes clear, concise, and legally defensible statements of deficiencies based on analysis of the documented findings and extensive knowledge of clinical practice, laws, regulations and guidelines as set forth in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and State regulations, Principles of Documentation, and program-specific protocols, policies and procedures, as applicable.
• Stays current with industry standards, maintains credentials through completing continuing education and training such as CMS and State Regulation training.
• Attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

C7E1XX Nurse Consultant

Minimum Qualifications:

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience. Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience: Master's degree from an accredited institution in Nursing, Biology, Epidemiology, Public Health, or other closely related field and current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), and three (3) years of professional experience in an nursing experience in a critical care setting (i.e. ICU, Emergency room) or, including experience providing training, mentoring, or serving in a work lead capacity, or other closely related experience related to the work assigned to the position Substitutions Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis **This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:

• Five years of current (within 5 years) experience working in critical care settings (i.e. ICU or Emergency Department).
• Knowledge of Acute Care Facility Clinical operations such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and dialysis centers.
• Knowledge of the regulations that apply to acute care facilities and the ability to apply them effectively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to analyze facts, data and evidence to arrive at a logical conclusion.
• Ability to analyze and interpret clinical evidence and clinical care to identify gaps.
• Ability to observe, electronically record, and interpret information.
• Competency in technology and equipment used in a health care setting (i.e. typing while conducting interviews).
• Computer literate
• Ability to use information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate errors and support decision making.
• Experience and ability to write factually accurate, clear, concise and professional reports.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
• Critical Status: Must 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.
• Critical Status: Must 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.
• TRAVEL:
• On average, every other week travel up to 50%, and during peak times up to 75%, in order to conduct surveys of health care facilities across the state of Colorado.
• Could be higher if based outside of the Denver/metro area.
• On average, 2-4 overnight stays in a hotel, when traveling.
• PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• 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 walking up and down multiple flights of stairs.
• Must be able to hold a tablet computer in a standing position.
• SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: Must maintain RN licensure.
• Must be vaccinated against COVID19. *See Note
• Must obtain an influenza shot annually prior to the onset of the flu season or wear a mask while on facility/agency premises. **See Note
• Must be willing to work in environments where contagious diseases may be present. 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.
• 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.
• Must possess excellent analytical, written, oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be proficient in word processing and able to use current communication technology to connect to the office from the field.
• Must have experience in health care delivery which provides working knowledge of current practice related to the duties of this position.
• Requires the use and operation of state fleet vehicles. ***
• * Note: Fully Vaccinated means two