Department Information
Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services - Acute Care
This position is only open to Colorado residents.
This announcement will remain open until an adequate applicant pool has been identified or until the closing date whichever occurs first. Applicants are encouraged to submit an application before the listed closing date.
This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies and may be extended.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Are you a passionate and dedicated registered nurse with experience in acute care? Do you have an eye for detail and a desire to promote the highest standards of patient care? If so, we invite you to join our team as a Health Compliance Inspector in Acute Care. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the quality of care delivered by healthcare providers across the country. You will utilize your clinical expertise and analytical skills to conduct surveys of acute care facilities, assess compliance with federal regulations and standards of care, and make recommendations for improvement. With your strong communication and interpersonal skills, you will build relationships with healthcare providers and help them to continuously improve the quality of care for their patients. Join us in this rewarding and challenging role and help us make a difference in the lives of patients and healthcare providers alike.
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, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:
- Paid life insurance
- Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
- Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
- 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- 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
- Tuition assistance for college-level courses including Masters degree programs Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and a variety of resource groups.
- Medical and dental health plans
- Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
- Employee wellness programs and facilities
Description of Job
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, 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, certifies and surveys healthcare facilities and services; provides patient safety and healthcare quality programs; recognizes Emergency Medical Service (EMS) education programs and certifies EMS providers, designates trauma centers and licenses all air 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.
About The Position
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.
Duties And 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.
- 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 allegation(s) is/are substantiated and resulted in deficient practice by the facility. Prepares findings and conclusions that are clear and concise.
- 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.
- Demonstrates advanced nursing skills and knowledge in investigative interviewing on complex medical topics found during survey. Creates structure and demonstrates foresight for the survey process.
- Demonstrates advanced skills and knowledge in investigative interviewing on complex topics found during survey. Creates structure and demonstrates foresight for the survey process.
- 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.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights
To be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.
Option 1
Three (3) years of professional nursing experience in a critical care or specialized setting or equivalent along with training, mentoring or work lead level experience required.
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
Master's degree from an accredited institution in Nursing, Biology, Epidemiology, Public Health, or other closely related field.
OR
Option 2
Five (5) years of professional nursing experience in a critical care or specialized setting or equivalent along with training, mentoring or work lead level experience required.
AND
Bachelor'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 sta te participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
OR
Option 3
Nine (9) years of professional nursing experience in a critical care or specialized setting or equivalent along with training, mentoring or work lead level experience required.
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).
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Must Be Willing To
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 45lbs. of equipment for extended periods of time.
- Travel throughout Colorado 50% and during peak times 75%
- Must be willing to work in environments where contagious diseases may be present.
- 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 of a state fleet vehicle (conditions apply).
- 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 able to walk or stand for extended periods of time.
- Must possess excellent analytical, written, oral communication and interpersonal skills..
- Must be willing to perform FIT testing for N-95 mask yearly
- Must be willing to work occasional evening, night, weekend, or holidays depending upon circumstances of survey or complaint.
- 2-4 overnights in a hotel when traveling
- Must obtain an influenza shot annually prior to the onset of the flu season. If you cannot meet this requirement, you must wear a mask at all times when visiting faculties/agency premises.
- Must be vaccinated against COVID19. See note below*
- Must be able to hold a tablet computer in a standing position.
- 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.
*NOTE: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify whether or not they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of vaccination.
Preferred Experience And Competencies
Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidates position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior or other posted competency should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process.
- Computer literate
- Experience and ability to write factually accurate, clear, concise and professional reports.
- Ability to observe, electronically record, and interpret information.
- Knowledge of Acute Care Facility Clinical operations such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and dialysis centers.
- Ability to use information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate errors and support decision making.
- 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.
- Competency in technology and equipment used in a health care setting (i.e. typing while conducting interviews).
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Knowledge of the regulations that apply to acute care facilities and the ability to apply them effectively.
Appeal Rights
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also,
if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.
A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.
Supplemental Information
A Complete Application Packet Must Include
- Unofficial transcripts
- Cover letter stating how you meet the minimum qualifications for this role.
- A completed State of Colorado application.
- Resume
- 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
[email protected] 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.
