Health Compliance Inspector, Assisted Living Residences - Health Professional Iii

Be BOLD and make a real difference . . . 

Do you desire a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a career position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Colorado citizens. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive. 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer: 

• Employee wellness programs and facilities 

• Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects 

• Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks 

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system 

• Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans 

• Medical and dental health plans

• Paid life insurance 

• Short- and long-term disability coverage 

• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off 

• Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees 

• Tuition assistance for college level courses including Masters degree programs 

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and 

• A variety of employee resource groups 

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: http://www.tgslc.org/borrowers/public-service/ 

ABOUT THE WORK UNIT:
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 health care facilities and services in Colorado, numbering approximately 3,200 facilities, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical facilities, renal dialysis centers, emergency medical services providers, designated trauma centers, long term care facilities, and many other specific types of health care services. The division licenses, recommends certification and conducts routine surveys (sampling inspections) for healthcare facilities and consumer services; provides consumer safety and healthcare quality programs; recognizes Emergency Medical Service (EMS) education programs and certifies EMS providers; and licenses all air ambulance services
operating within the state.

This work unit exists to: (1) protect the health, safety, and welfare of patients/residents of health care facilities such as Assisted Living Residences, Alternative Care Facilities, Mental Health Transitional Living programs and other community-based health 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.

DUTIES OF THE POSITION:

• On an unannounced basis, independently or as a member of an interdisciplinary team, surveys (inspects) Assisted Living Residences to determine 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 residents/patients as well as facility practices through observations, record review, as well as interviews with residents/patients, family members, staff, and outside agency and medical professionals.
• Collects and documents evidence and survey results based upon observations, interviews and record review. Analyzes the evidence and survey results in order to determine whether and how the health care facility is out of compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
• Uses judgment and experience in choosing specific regulations to be cited. Writes clear, concise, and legally defensible statements of deficiencies based on analysis of the documented findings and extensive knowledge of these laws, regulations and guidelines.
• Advises health care facility providers, health care consumers, and other governmental agencies regarding regulatory requirements.
• Decides what inspection areas identified as non-compliant will be cited and then decides the specific regulation that the deficiency should be cited under.
• Investigates complex complaint allegations, analyzes the data gathered during the investigation, determines whether the allegations of regulatory noncompliance are substantiated and, if substantiated, determines the appropriate regulatory citations to be issued.

• This position is staffed by professionals who work independently or as a member of an interdisciplinary team to assess the care, treatment and quality of life provided by various health facilities through observations, interviews, and record review.

•  Uses experience, training and judgment in evaluating and applying statutes, regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures on a case-by-case, item-by-item basis for facility compliance/violation.

• Reviews self-reported occurrences and incidents of serious deficiencies and assesses whether certified and/or licensed health facilities intervened appropriately. 

• Writes statements of deficiencies, identifying areas of non-compliance with federal and state requirements based on survey/investigation results. 

• Acts as resource, educator, and interpreter of regulations for service providers and consumers, based upon established guidelines, policies and procedures

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Must meet one of the following or any combination of experience/education to meet the qualifications:

This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. Please be sure to enter all relevant job history within the last 10 years. "See Resume" and missing relevant employment will not be credited towards the minimum qualifications. 

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 
CLASS CODE & CLASSIFICATION: Health Professional III C7C3XX 

EXPERIENCE:

Six (6) years of experience providing care or regulatory oversight in an Assisted Living residence, alternative care facility, mental health program or related community-based health facility regulated by Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division.

• A pre-employment background check

• Ability and willingness to travel independently or with a group of other Health Professionals up to 50% of the time. 

• Must be willing to work in environments where contagious diseases may be present (appropriate personal protective equipment and procedural protocols will be provided). 

• In compliance with a State Board of Health rule, all Compliance Inspectors must be able to prove that they have been vaccinated against influenza each year or agree to wear masks, gowns or other protective gear when in contact with staff residents/patients of facilities/services regulated by this division. 

• 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. *See exemption note below

• Must be vaccinated against COVID19. **See note below 

• Must be willing 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 willing 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.

• Must be able to hold a tablet computer in a standing position.

• 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. ***conditions apply 

• Proficiency in fundamental computer skills such as navigating operating systems, using basic software applications, and communicating through email is required. 

• Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior or other posted competency should be considered and given weight under the process.  

• Health care experience, preferably in ALR, but would consider others such as home care or nursing home. 

• Experience with evaluating a health care facility's quality of care, services, and treatment of the residents/clients.

• Experience to evaluate facility practices through observations and record review.

• Experience with conducting interviews with residents/patients, family members, staff, outside agency and medical professionals.

• Experience with analyzing evidence and survey results to determine if and why a health care facility is out of compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.

• Experience writing clear, concise, and legally defensible statements of deficiencies.

• Experience and proficiency in word processing and able to use current communication technology.

• Ability to analyze and interpret clinical evidence and observe, record, and interpret information. 

• Ability to perform the physical demands of this active position. 

• Thoroughness when performing work and conscientiousness in attention to detail. 

• Ability to gather relevant information; identify and analyze problems using sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions. Model high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness and respect for individuals. 

• Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely. 

• Interpersonal and Conflict Management Skills- Displays understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy and concern; develops and maintains effective relationships; deals skillfully with people who are difficult, hostile or distressed; effectively manages and resolves conflicts, confrontations and disagreements in a positive and constructive way; does not avoid conflict when it can produce better solutions. 

• Ability to assess consumer care, treatment and quality of care and life as provided by health care facilities through observations, interviews, and record review. 

• Experience and ability to write factually accurate, clear, concise and professional reports. 

• Ability to analyze the information and reach logical well supported conclusions.
  

A completed State of Colorado application includes:

• Unofficial transcripts if using education to substitute for experience.

• Cover letter stating how you meet the minimum qualifications for this role. 

• DD214 if claiming veterans status 

The Selection Process:

All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager. E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Jim Davidson at jim.davidson@state.co.us at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.