Description
DSHS HCLA RN / Adult Family Home Complaint Investigator
Washington’s older adults and people with disabilities deserve care they can count on. Join our team as an Adult Family Home Nurse Complaint Investigator with the Residential Care Services (RCS) division under the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) in Vancouver.
In this role, you will conduct on-site complaint investigations, inspections and follow-up visits to ensure Adult Family Homes (AFHs) meet state licensing standards and provide safe, quality care to residents. You will play a critical role in protecting vulnerable populations by evaluating care practices, interviewing residents and providers, reviewing records, and clearly communicating findings. This position is essential to maintaining accountability, supporting providers, and ensuring that individuals receiving long-term care services live in safe, respectful, and well-regulated environments. Your commitment as a nurse complaint investigator strengthens our mission of advocacy and stability for residents who rely on high-quality care.
This is a great opportunity for the person looking for a highly visible position whose investigative work transforms the life of residents receiving long-term care services. This opportunity is based out of the Vancouver Office. Travel to AFHs and other long term care (LTC) settings is required and includes travel throughout a broad geographical area and possible travel to other regions. Work may require occasional overnight stays.
Some of what you’ll be doing
- Conduct complaint investigations, inspections and follow-up visits for AFHs and other community programs in accordance with state regulations and procedures
- Plan and manage workload to meet statutory timelines, including preparation, investigation tracking, and completion of required reports
- Evaluate compliance with licensing standards and identify deficient practices in long-term care and specialized care settings
- Evaluate nursing care within parameters of state regulations
- Observe resident care, services, and living environments to ensure quality and safety standards are maintained.
- Interview residents, family members, providers, and community partners to gather information on care practices and service quality
- Review records and documentation, analyze findings, and prepare detailed reports, including statements of deficiencies and investigation summaries
- Maintain accurate data entry in state systems while safeguarding confidential information and following policies, procedures, and directives
Here are a few good reasons why you should consider this career opportunity
- You will be making a difference for AFH residents
- You’ll be able to add new skills and knowledge to your nursing skills and vulnerable adult long-term care “tool kit”
- You’re assigned to a wide variety of investigations that keep your workday interesting with ongoing advocacy for residents
- You’ll receive an excellent benefits package that rivals any employer in Washington State
What we are looking for
- We are looking for a qualified RN with a high level of integrity and clinical nursing knowledge, critical thinking skills, and who is passionate about ensuring resident well-being and safety
- Ability to make critical decisions in high-stress situations based on the integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant
- Knowledge and proficiency with laptop data-entry skills and database use
- Ability to evaluate nursing care within the parameters of state and federal regulations
- Be able to communicate findings clearly to AFH providers verbally and in writing in a clear, concise, non-threatening manner
- Ability to communicate effectively with management, peers, residents, providers and the public
- Ability to evaluate resident care services; exercise objective judgment, stimulate local cooperation and support for effective nursing services; and bring about improved practices
Who should apply
Professionals with:
- Associate Degree in Nursing/Diploma Nurse AND five years of experience as an RN in a long-term care setting and/or behavioral health setting
- Or, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing AND three years of experience as an RN in a long-term care setting and/or behavioral health setting
- Or, a Master of Nursing/Master of Science in Nursing AND two years of RN experience in a long-term care setting or behavioral health setting
Note: Must hold a valid Registered Nurse license and be able to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Washington.
Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for
- Nursing practice: Applies current knowledge of institutional nursing principles, long-term care regulations, and public health practices to evaluate care quality and identify deficient practices in certified community residential settings.
- Investigation skills: Conducts thorough complaint investigations using established protocols, including record review, staff interviews, client observation, and review of care plans and personnel records, to reach well-supported findings.
- Written communication: Produces clear, accurate, and timely written reports including statements of deficiencies and investigation summaries that meet statutory and department standards.
- Time management: Organizes and prioritizes a varied workload across multiple facilities and complaint types to meet regulatory deadlines without close supervision.
- Interpersonal communication: Communicates findings and regulatory expectations clearly and professionally to providers, staff, clients, families, and fellow team members, including in difficult or contentious situations.
- Objectivity: Maintains a professional and respectful approach when working with persons who may be resistant, distressed, or in conflict, applying consistent and fair judgment across all interactions.
- Collaboration: Works with Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, the Ombuds office, and other agencies to coordinate investigations and share relevant findings appropriately.
- Computer proficiency: Uses Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Teams effectively, and enters and retrieves data accurately in state electronic systems including RCS databases.
- Adaptability: Responds to changing workload needs, emergency assignments, and modified duties during declared emergencies or disaster situations as required under the DSHS Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
Interested? In order for you to be considered further for this job, please include the following with your application:
- Minimum of three professional references including current supervisor
- Updated resume
- Cover letter
Note: This job requires travel to meet business needs.
Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter and reference 04967.
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.
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 & 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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