Nurse Surveyor

Health care facilities in California are licensed, regulated, inspected, and/or certified by a number of public and private agencies at the state and federal levels, including the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Center for Health Care Quality (Center) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These agencies have separate -- yet sometimes overlapping -- jurisdictions. The Center is responsible for ensuring health care facilities comply with state laws and regulations. In addition, the Center cooperates with CMS to ensure that facilities accepting Medicare and Medi-Cal (in California, Medicaid is referred to as Medi-Cal) payments meet federal requirements. The Center also oversees the certification of nurse assistants, home health aides, hemodialysis technicians, and the licensing of nursing home administrators.

*Employees appointed to this classification shall receive a Recruitment and Retention Differential of $200 per month. **

Please note: All qualified applicants must possess a valid Registered Nursing (RN) license as required by the Minimum Qualifications of the HFEN classification. Lower- level licensure, such as that of a Vocational Nurse (LVN) is non-qualifying for this classification.

The Health Facilities Evaluator Nurse (HFEN) conducts inspections, investigations, surveys, and evaluations of health facilities for conformity with licensing and certification requirements of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and for compliance with State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations relating to medical care. Advises healthcare facility administrators and community agencies regarding State health facilities inspections, licensing, and certification programs. Primary responsibility is for uniform application and enforcement of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to areas affecting total patient care such as nursing, physician, restorative, pharmacy, social, dental, and related services. Extensive travel will be required.

DUTY STATEMENT: Travels to and conducts in-depth surveys of healthcare facilities, individually or as part of a team, to determine compliance with state licensing and federal certification requirements. Conducts and documents interviews of relevant patient information, documenting necessary information for legal action while ensuring patient confidentiality. Independently, or as part of a team, determination of healthcare facilities’ compliance with state and federal laws and regulations based on survey findings and observations. Prepares written comprehensive deficiencies when deemed appropriate.

Develops and presents both written and verbal testimony to provide support for civil monetary penalties at informal conference, citation review conferences, evidentiary hearings, informal dispute resolutions, municipal or superior court proceedings, and arbitration procedures. Responds to these legal actions as an expert witness on matters relating to state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to patient care and the healthcare delivery system.

Attends meetings and participates in local programs to improve uniform compliance in licensed health care facilities. Attends training sessions in order to keep abreast of trends in the healthcare delivery system and industries.

Advises and assists healthcare facility administrators in matters relating to the State requirements for inspections, licensing, construction, and operation of healthcare facilities. Other duties as required, including, but not limited to, collecting data required for special studies and preparing licensing and complaint packets for staff.

Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

ABILITY TO: 

Reason logically, evaluate relevant data and formulate conclusions, analyze data and present ideas and information effectively both orally and in writing, consult with and advise administrators or other interested parties on a wide variety of subject-matter areas pertaining to the healthcare delivery system, gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work.

SPECIAL PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: 

Ability to take initiative, and work both independently and as a team member. Ability to independently represent the Licensing & Certification Division and the CDPH in a professional manner while in contact with licensed healthcare facility staff, residents, and the public.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: 

Ability to establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with co-workers and the public, interacting with individuals of varying personality types and personal backgrounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Extensive travel to various healthcare facilities in order to conduct surveys, investigations, and evaluations. May require overnight stays, evening, weekend, or holiday surveys. Transportation of manuals and binders to various facilities while conducting survey and investigation activities, which, in total, may exceed 50 pounds. Ability to think and reason in analyzing quantitative and qualitative information. Efficiently perform assigned tasks under demanding and competing deadlines. Ability to comprehend both written and oral information necessary to perform assigned tasks and complete assigned objectives.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.