What are the responsibilities and job description for the DSHS HCLA Adult Family Home Licensor - Long Term Care Surveyor position at State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health...?
Description
DSHS HCLA Long Term Care Surveyor - Adult Family Home Licensor
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable adults and ensure they receive quality services within Adult Family Home community settings?
Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), Residential Care Services, is looking to hire an Adult Family Home Licensor to join our team and serve those in the King county area with a duty station located in Kent, WA. In this role, you will conduct Adult Family Home (AFH) on-site full licensing inspections, as needed complaint investigations, follow-up visits, and monitoring visits.
This work is critical to protecting vulnerable adults in our state. Residents of adult family homes often rely on caregivers for activities of daily needs, including medication management, nutrition, personal hygiene, and overall safety. As an AFH licensor, it is essential to identify potential issues early whether related to medication errors, unsafe living conditions, or patterns of neglect to ensure the providers are held accountable for complying with state regulations and maintaining quality standards of care.
Please note: New team members begin their employment onsite for orientation and initial training. After completing orientation, the schedule transitions into a blend of fieldwork, in-office days, and telework, based on business needs.
King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.
Some of what you'll do:
- Conduct full licensing inspections and complaint investigations for adult family homes, and complete required reports and data entry, such as statements of deficiencies and investigation summaries.
- Observe how staff care for residents and how the home runs day to day, sometimes over extended periods of time. Watch and listen for signs of neglect, harm, or unsafe conditions.
- Interview residents, staff, and others to understand how care is actually provided.
- Review resident records, staff files, and other documents to check that care matches what is required by law.
- Write clear, detailed, and legible reports that explain what you found during each follow-up or inspection.
- Review resident assessment and negotiated care plans to evaluate care and services provided against state health and safety rules.
- Recognize and analyze deficient practice and effectively communicate these to team members, other department staff and the AFH staff.
- Conduct follow-up inspections and monitoring visits to ensure home is in compliance with state regulations.
- Serve as a preceptor or mentor for new staff and team members, providing hands-on training and guidance as needed.
- Take part in hearings, internal dispute resolution, and other follow up steps after an inspection/investigation, when needed.
- Use computers and other technology, including portable electronic devices, to complete reports and manage the programs this job requires.
Who should apply? Professionals that meet one of the following criteria:
A master’s degree* in social work**, speech pathology, occupational or physical therapy, psychology, special education, nutrition, sociology, behavioral health, or allied field, AND two years* of professional experience in planning, administering, licensing, monitoring or delivering social or health service programs.
- Two additional years of qualifying experience will substitute for the master’s degree provided a bachelor’s degree in one of the above mentioned fields has been achieved.
A bachelor’s degree** AND two years of professional/practical experience working with people delivering social and health services or experiencing developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental health challenges.
OR
Eight years of professional/practical experience working with people delivering social and health services and/or experiencing developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental health challenges.
**Note: A degree in Social Work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Note: For selected positions required to successfully complete the federally required basic certification surveyor training, the basic and advanced state investigator training and completion of approved interviewing technique course.
Note: Employees in positions surveying nursing homes will be required to participate in the Basic Long Term Care Surveyor training provided by the federal government and must successfully complete the Surveyor Minimum Qualification test and all required federal training prior to being certified.
Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:
- Attention to detail: Notices small changes in a resident's care or environment that could point to a bigger problem.
- Communication: Explains findings clearly to home staff, residents, and coworkers, in writing and in person.
- Critical thinking: Reviews records, interviews, and observations to determine if a home is meeting state rules.
- Time management: Completes inspections, reports, and follow up visits within required deadlines.
- Composure under pressure: Stays calm and professional in emotional or tense situations, such as investigating complaints about resident harm.
- Independent judgment: Makes sound decisions in the field, using state rules and regulations as a guide.
- Collaboration: Works with other surveyors, supervisors, and department staff to resolve difficult cases.
- Mentoring: Guides new staff through the inspection and reporting process.
- Promoting equity and cultural competence: Understands and respects the different backgrounds of residents and staff, and applies that understanding fairly and consistently in every inspection.
Interested? Apply today!
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Questions? Email DSHS Recruiter, Georgina Pringle, at Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 05662.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
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