Registered Nurse, Health Compliance Inspector Home Care - FAA00601 (HP III RN)

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 healthcare facilities and services throughout Colorado. These include hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, dialysis centers, emergency medical service providers, trauma centers, long-term care facilities, and community-based programs such as home care, home health, and hospice.

This work unit exists to:

1. Protect the health, safety, and welfare of patients and consumers by evaluating and securing compliance of licensed and certified healthcare facilities and providers in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and professional standards of practice; and

2. Provide transparent and accurate information to the public regarding facility compliance and performance.

Within this structure, the Home and Community Facilities Branch oversees providers that deliver care in the home and community setting, including Class A and Class B Home Care Agencies, Home Health Agencies, and Hospice Programs. Oversight ensures that these entities deliver safe, high-quality services, uphold patient rights, and maintain compliance with applicable regulations, including:

• 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 – General Licensure Standards;

• 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 26 – Home Care Regulations;

• 10 CCR 2505-10 §§8.500 and 8.540 – Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) Medical Assistance, Home Health, and Private Duty Nursing Services; and

• CMS Appendix B of the State Operations Manual – Federal Home Health Agency Requirements.

The RN Health Professional III performs professional and field-based work involving the licensure, certification, and survey of home- and community-based providers. Duties include:

• Conducting on-site and desk reviews to evaluate compliance with state and federal standards;

• Assessing nursing and clinical services for adherence to accepted professional practice;

• Identifying and documenting findings related to quality of care, patient safety, and consumer rights;

• Interpreting and applying complex regulations, including HCPF and CMS requirements; and

• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to promote consistency, quality improvement, and regulatory alignment across home and community programs.

This position requires strong clinical judgment, knowledge of regulatory frameworks, and the ability to balance enforcement with education. The RN HPIII directly supports CDPHE’s mission to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play through the assurance of safe, equitable, and compliant home and community-based care.

Summary of Position:

This position is staffed by licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) who work both independently and as members of an interdisciplinary team to ensure that home and community-based providers deliver safe, high-quality care in accordance with state and federal regulations. The RN Health Professional III serves as the clinical expert on survey teams responsible for the licensure, certification, and ongoing evaluation of Home Care, Home Health, and Hospice agencies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing the care, treatment, and quality of life provided by healthcare facilities and agencies through direct observation, staff and consumer interviews, and record review.

• Applying professional judgment and clinical experience in evaluating compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures, including 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapters 2 and 26, and 10 CCR 2505-10 §§8.500 and 8.540.

• Serving as the RN member of the survey team, conducting nursing observations, medication administration reviews, and other clinical evaluation tasks as applicable.

• Reviewing incidents, complaints, and serious occurrences to determine whether licensed facilities and agencies intervened appropriately to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.

• Writing statements of deficiencies that identify areas of non-compliance with state and federal requirements based on survey and investigation findings.

• Acting as a resource, educator, and interpreter of regulations for providers, consumers, and stakeholders, promoting a consistent understanding of standards and expectations across Colorado’s home and community-based care continuum.

This role requires strong clinical judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to balance objective enforcement with supportive education. The RN HPIII contributes directly to CDPHE’s mission to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play by ensuring individuals receiving home care, home health, or hospice services experience safe, person-centered, and compliant care environments.

• A pre-employment background check
• Active, unrestricted RN license
• Ability and willingness to travel independently or with a group of other health professionals up to 50% of the time throughout Colorado. 
• Must be willing to work in environments where contagious diseases may be present (appropriate personal protective equipment and procedural protocols will be provided). 
• 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 able 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 able 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.
• 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 

• RN clinical judgment in the field: Applies nursing standards to evaluate care, medication administration, infection control, and patient safety across Home Care, Home Health, and Hospice settings.

• Regulatory application: Interprets and applies 6 CCR 1011-1 (Ch. 2 & 26), CMS SOM Appendix B, and HCPF 10 CCR 2505-10 (e.g., §§8.500, 8.540 PDN) to case-specific facts.

• Survey methods: Plans and conducts observations, interviews (clients/families/staff), and record reviews; analyzes evidence to determine compliance/noncompliance; documents scope/severity.

• Deficiency writing: Produces clear, concise, and legally defensible Statements of Deficiencies with accurate regulatory citations and evidence.

• Technology fluency: Proficient with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and secure file systems; navigates EMR extracts and uploads survey evidence.

• Communication & professionalism: Explains findings and standards to providers; models integrity, transparency, and respect; maintains impartiality under pressure.

• Critical thinking: Synthesizes complex clinical and operational information; forms sound conclusions supported by evidence.

• Safety & field readiness: Meets the physical demands of on-site work (travel, prolonged standing, PPE use) and adheres to safety protocols.

• Thoroughness & detail: Demonstrates disciplined documentation, meticulous evidence handling, and deadline reliability.

• Conflict management: De-escalates tense interactions; manages disagreement constructively; does not avoid necessary, difficult conversations.

• State service experience: Prior Colorado state service relevant to licensure/certification/survey work.

• RN practice background: Clinical experience in acute care, specialized units, home health, hospice, or home care; PDN/vent-trach, wound care, high-risk meds, or transitions of care experience.

• Quality & compliance: Experience evaluating quality of care, adverse events, incident reviews, and corrective action/POC validation.

• Interview proficiency: Skilled in trauma-informed and stakeholder-appropriate interviewing (clients, families, staff, external practitioners).

• Analytic writing: Track record of clear regulatory narratives, evidence grids, and decision memos that withstand appeal or legal scrutiny.

• Data comfort: Ability to interpret EMR reports, staffing/scheduling data, and quality indicators to target probes and corroborate findings.

• Systems thinking: Understands agency operations (governance, QAPI, supervision, delegation) and how they impact bedside outcomes.

• Education & coaching: Experience serving as a resource/educator to providers on regulatory expectations and sustainable remediation.

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.

ADAAA Accommodations:
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Dan McKenna, atdaniel.mckenna@state.co.usor call 303-692-2060, option 5.