Nurse Specialist I - Washington, DC

This position is located in the District of Columbia Government, Department of Health (DC Health), Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA). The incumbent in this position serves as a nurse consultant/surveyor/inspector who works independently or as part of an interd ...

Job description

This position is located in the District of Columbia Government, Department of Health (DC Health), Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA). The incumbent in this position serves as a nurse consultant/surveyor/inspector who works independently or as part of an interdisciplinary team in acute care and health-related facilities to determine compliance with the district and/or Federal laws and regulations.

The position functions as Nurse Specialist I, working as part of an interdisciplinary team. Incumbent serves as a surveyor of intermediate and/or healthcare facilities (i.e. assisted living residences, intermediate care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, hospices, ambulatory care centers, maternity centers, and dialysis centers) is responsible for determining compliance with D.C. and Federal laws and regulations. In this capacity, a surveyor conducts in-depth inspections of healthcare facilities for the purpose of licensure and/or certification for participation in the Medicare/Medicaid programs. Integral to this role is a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and independent critical thinking skills. The Nurse Specialist I actively fosters a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Department, ensuring that policies and procedures align with these values. They employ anti-racist practices and principles throughout their work, incorporating an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens into social work practices. Their passion for working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism is evident as they contribute to creating such an environment within the Department, making it an essential aspect of their role.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent conducts inspections and/or surveys of hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, prospective payment psychiatric/rehabilitation facilities, ICF/MR and CRF/MR homes, end-stage renal centers, laboratories, hospice, day treatment programs, maternity centers, nurse staffing agencies and other health care facilities as assigned by completing the following activities. Conducts pre-survey activities that Include review; of complaint and unusual incident historical files, for the prior 12-months, and other required databases as required by the respective survey protocols. Conducts initial and/or renewal licensure and/or federal certification surveys according to the appropriate survey protocol which includes the following: observation of patient and staff Interactions, observation of treatments, conduct interviews with staff, patient/resident and family members, observation of programmatic aspects of service delivery and conducts verification through medical and programmatic record review. Conducts investigations of complaints and incidents, illegally operating health facilities, deaths and others, independently or with a survey team as assigned to determine if the allegations are substantiated, makes recommendations on follow-up activities to team leader and/or supervisor. Conducts inspections and/or reviews architectural plans of new, renovated and existing facilities regarding space utilization, for adherence with guidelines for design and construction of health care facilities and compliance with licensure requirements. Determines compliance with local and federal governing legal mandates for health care, administrative services and operations of health care facilities in consultation with the team leader, supervisor and/or program manager. Prepares detailed licensure and federal survey reports that reflect outcomes of surveys and investigations within targeted timeframes; makes recommendations as appropriate. Assists in the preparation of enforcement materials for Administrative Hearings and testifies in administrative hearings with regard to specific enforcement actions or as an expert witness. Consults with legal team when appropriate on cited or potential deficiencies. Provides advice and recommendations on medical issues related to the enforcement of deficient practices that result from surveys, complaint/incident Investigations cites violations.

Conducts entrance and exit conferences with facility and/or provider representatives. Informs Team Leader/Supervisor/Program Manager of ongoing survey activities as delineated by survey protocol and/or program policy and procedure. Documents the observed/determined deficient practice results survey /Inspection according to the federal Principles of Documentation Guidelines Manual. Documents all survey related activities per the required time frames into the federal and local licensure databases. Prepares complaint and incident investigative reports per federal and program policy and procedures that clearly and accurately document the informational source, and appropriate judgment in reaching a conclusion that is consistent with the evidence in order to cite and apply the pertinent federal and local laws and regulations. Provides technical assistance to professional and administrative health care staff, and providers through multidisciplinary conferences and to foster compliance with all governing legal mandates. Provides technical assistance regarding survey findings and plans of corrections to facility and/or provider representatives. Serves as an informational resource to patients/clients and other health care personnel, and the general public for specialized information related to regulated health care facilities, survey protocol, and enforcements activities regarding the regulation of health care. Develops presentations, in-services and educational offerings relevant to survey/regulatory program content for facilities, providers, and the community. Presents at local and national professional health care organizations and conferences. Keeps abreast of advancements in health care and social service facility regulation compliance and enforcement activities by planning, attending and participating in education programs for the regulation of health care. Acts as the s State Agency Training Coordinator, MOS and/or OASIS Coordinator for facilities participating in Medicare/Medicaid programs when assigned. Responsible for the orientation and preceptorship of newly hired Nurse Specialist I upon assignment. Collaborates with the Nurse Specialist II, nursing supervisor and/or program manager in setting and interpreting unit goals and objectives in planning for effective use of resources in the provision of nursing services. Assists in the collection and preparation of data for unit, program and agency specific reports for local and federal grantors performance measures.

Qualifications and Education

A graduate or higher-level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission of Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

Individuals must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Licenses and Certifications

Applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination. In addition, they must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, you must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the District of Columbia to perform the duties of this position.

Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Automated External Defibrillator Component (CPR/AED).

Incumbent must possess a current driver's license while employed in this position.

Working Conditions / Environment

The work may be performed in both an office and on-site in health care facilities, client's homes, inpatient facilities, clinics, and other non-traditional settings. The incumbent may be required to work with emotionally disturbed or potentially hostile clients who may have communicable diseases. Such situations may require the nurse to take specific safety precautions. The incumbent may be required to work beyond the regular tour of duty during a survey or investigation to obtain an approved plan by the facility if there is harm or potential harm to a patient/resident.

Other Significant Facts

Incumbent in this position is required to attend federal training for initial surveyor certification and updates as specified to be in continued compliance with the educational requirements for a "Certified Surveyor".

Incumbent may be required to attend specific training as identified by the program and/or federal grant requirements both locally and nationally according to the District of Columbia travel guidelines.

Incumbent may be required to work rotating shifts, be on call in emergency situations such as (natural and/environmental disasters, public health incidents and emergencies) depending on work location assignments and program requirements.

Employment Sponsorship: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently.

Agency Wide Consideration: Qualified individuals that submit applications for this vacancy may be considered for other current open vacancies for which they qualify within DC Health.

Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday 8:15am - 4:45pm

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential

Duration of Appointment: Career Service Regular Appointment

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by DC Nurses Association (DCNA), and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

Position Designation: This position has been deemed Protection Sensitive under the guideline of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, incumbents must successfully pass a criminal background and consumer credit check as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of their tenure:

• Criminal background check.
• Traffic record check (as applicable).
• Consumer credit check (as applicable).
• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and
• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.