Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Texas Health & Human Services Commission
Houston, TX

Nurse III - ICF/IID

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you! Nurse III Surveyor (Long-term Care Regulation) As part of a collaborative team of public servants, a nurse surveyor protects residents' health and safety by conducting on-site inspections and investigations in Texas intermediate care facilities to assess their compliance with state and federal laws and rules. This position offers a $70,000 starting salary; excellent state benefits, including health insurance and retirement; and the opportunity to regularly travel to different facilities within a region. In this front-line field position, a nurse surveyor is mobile and flexible and performs minimal work at an office, though the role does require writing reports detailing any deficiencies/violations against a facility, remedies to correct those deficiencies, and narrative to support regulatory determinations. To watch a brief video showing the vital work long-term care surveyors do every day, please click here: Link Title The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. Essential Job Functions: Under the direction of a program manager, a social services surveyor conducts on-site licensure inspections, complaint and incident investigations, and annual comprehensive surveys in facilities to determine compliance with federal and state health and safety regulations. Communicates clearly and accurately with others (internally and externally) to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, or resolve issues or complaints regarding nursing services provided in intermediate care facilities, which serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and must receive services that meet their specialized needs. Conducts exit conferences with facility staff regarding findings and can assist in developing a plan to correct deficiencies. Completes inspection or survey reports detailing deficiencies, recommended remedies, and narrative to support regulatory findings. Visits long-term care facilities to verify correction of previously cited regulatory violations. Performs quality assurance reviews of documents prepared by others; for example, publications, assessments, reports. Occasionally might need to testify at hearings or in court proceedings to provide information regarding policy/procedures, history, findings, or activities. Knowledge Skills Abilities: Knowledge of nursing principles and acceptable professional standards of patient care. Knowledge of program regulations and procedures. Knowledge of medical problems and medications generally associated with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Skill in interpreting federal and state regulations regarding facilities that care for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Skills in operating personal computer and software. Ability to work with a team of professionals on an interdisciplinary team. Ability to recognize and evaluate problems of individuals with intellectual disabilities in their home and work environments. Ability to communicate orally and in writing, including skill in preparing written reports using accepted principles of documentation. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to work independently. Ability to assess or evaluate patient care and to recognize patterns of medically necessary treatment. Ability to interpret complex regulatory policies, procedures and regulations. Ability to exercise professional judgment and reach sound decisions. Ability to multi-task and track multiple activities with competing priorities. Ability to use the computer for writing reports. Ability to work in a sometimes stressful environment. Registration or Licensure Requirements: Must be registered as a Registered Nurse by the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact. Must successfully complete state and federal training and become qualified to conduct surveys independently in the federal immediate care facility program within the first 12 months of employment. Initial Selection Criteria: One year of Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (casework) experience in an intermediate care facility or nursing experience in a long-term care setting working with persons with intellectual disabilities. Experience with medical issues associated with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Experience applying nursing principles and acceptable professional standards of patient care. Additional Information: Flexibility in work hours required for this position. Job requires 80% travel, with most travel during the day. However, some overnight and weekend travel required, as well as occasional on-call duties for emergencies or high-priority situations in facilities. Must have reliable transportation. Note: This position is able to work a compressed workweek with options Monday-Thursday, Tuesday-Friday, and Friday-Monday, 10-hour days. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview. All applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check. HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form. MOS Code: Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 68C, 66N/P/W, 290X, 46FX, 46NX, 46SX. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx. HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview. Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS