Nurse Specialist

Position: Nurse Specialist I
General Job Information

We are excited in your interest to join DC Health (The District of Columbia Department of Health), a nationally accredited public health department ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) Where our Vision is for Washington, D.C. to be the healthiest city in America. We believe that all people - no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, age, language, religion, ability, or geographic location - should have the opportunity to live healthy lives.

DC Health is focused on providing the essential public health services (10 Essential Public Health Services) necessary to protect and promote the health of all people in all communities and remove systemic and structural barriers that have resulted in health inequities through the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (PH Core Competencies.)

Bring your professional career to Washington, D.C., the most dynamic and diverse city in the country. Join us as you are appreciated, developed, and rewarded and play a vital role in DC Health achieving our Strategic Priorities and Values:

Job Summary

This position is located in the District of Columbia Government, Department of Health (DC Health), Health Systems and Preparedness Administration (HSPA). 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 time frames; makes recommendations as appropriate. Assists in the preparation of enforcement materials for Administrative Hearings and testifies in…