Health Care Facility Surveyor, Licensure

 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a qualified individual dedicated to public health, quality of life and safety, to join our team as a Health Care Facility Specialist II.  This role will focus on public health, quality of life and safety to conduct comprehensive statewide inspections of health care facilities for approval and licensing by DPH. Ideal candidates will have experience working in various health care settings and an understanding of regulations and policies that apply to health care facilities in Massachusetts.

Note: Candidates will need access to reliable transportation as they will survey facilities statewide, with travel to the Division’s main office in Marlborough occasionally required.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Inspect hospitals, other medical or nursing facilities statewide for compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assist in reviewing and prioritizing complaints to ensure immediate action in situations where patient health and safety is involved.
• Conduct monitoring visits as needed at hospitals, facilities and agencies subject to enforcement actions, closure or other circumstances.
• Document findings in investigation reports or by identifying evidence gathered to support final determinations. Document deficient practice in a statement of deficiencies.
• Evaluate regulatory compliance and effectiveness of services in hospitals and other health care facilities, including infection prevention practices. Apply findings to the planning and development of future programs for such facilities and services.
• Conduct after-hours onsite monitoring of problem hospitals/facilities/services to assure the health and safety of patients in the event of emergencies (e.g., fires, power failures).
• Participate in strike monitoring at hospitals and other healthcare facilities including daily meetings and conducting of regular, onsite visits as needed.
• Verify dementia special care unit compliance via onsite inspections.
• Conducts inspections to ensure compliance with and enforcement of nursing home resident room requirements.
• Conduct onsite surveys, interviews, and record reviews to ensure compliance with requirements governing COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities.
• Perform reviews and conduct onsite inspections of home dialysis in nursing homes to verify compliance.
• Conduct licensure surveys to determine compliance with clinic licensure requirements for Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs).

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of health care administration.
• Knowledge of the types and symptoms of mental and/or emotional disorders.
• Ability to understand and apply the laws, rules, and regulations concerning licensure and accreditation.
• Capacity to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency officials, staff associates, other employees, providers, vendors and health care administrators.
• Skilled in exercising a high degree of initiative, judgment, discretion, confidentiality, and decision making to achieve objectives.
• Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Registered dietitian, social worker, physical or speech therapist, with a current Massachusetts license and a minimum of 5 years of professional experience working in a healthcare facility, preferably hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal regulations related to hospitals and other health care facilities.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the capacity to demonstrate strong interpersonal, interviewing, teamwork, communication, and organizational skills.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
 
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
 
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health​

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. 4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the fields of health care or medical care in a recognized clinic, hospital or medical facility, and (B) of which at least two years must have been in an administrative, managerial or supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and he substitutions below.  

Substitutions:  

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in health care administration, hospital administration or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*  

II. A Graduate degree with a major in health care administration, hospital administration or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A)experience and one year of 'he required (B) experience.*  

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.  

NOTE:  Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of three years of the required experience.  Substitutions will be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.