[NCASG] FYI LA FW: Survey on Health Facilities Compliance Surveyor

Thu Oct 15 08:51:29 MDT 2020

Please see Louisiana’s response below, thanks!

Janelle Haynsworth, CCP
Compensation Program Manager
Louisiana State Civil Service
225.342.8266
janelle.haynsworth at la.gov<mailto:janelle.haynsworth at la.gov>

[cid:image001.png at 01D3C5B9.95C56680]<http://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/>  [cid:image002.png at 01D3C5B9.95C56680] <https://www.facebook.com/LAStateCivilService>   [cid:image003.png at 01D3C5B9.95C56680] <https://twitter.com/LA_SCS>   [cid:image004.png at 01D3C5B9.95C56680] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/27236696/>   [cid:image005.png at 01D3C5B9.95C56680] <https://www.youtube.com/user/LAStateCivilService>   [cid:image006.png at 01D3C5B9.95C56680] <https://www.instagram.com/lastatecivilservice/>

From: Nicole Tucker (Civil Service) <Nicole.Tucker at La.Gov>
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 9:22 AM
To: brandy.malatesta at state.co.us
Cc: Janelle Haynsworth <Janelle.Haynsworth at LA.GOV>; Ashton Brown (DSCS) <Ashton.Brown at LA.GOV>
Subject: RE: [NCASG] Survey on Health Facilities Compliance Surveyor

Good Morning!

Yes, LDH does have this function within their department. This function resides in the Office of the Secretary/Health Standards Section (HSS). HSS is Louisiana’s State Survey Agency. This group is responsible for the licensing, certification, recertification and processing of complaint investigations of all health care facilities and providers that participate in Medicaid or Medicare programs as providers/suppliers of services as well as those agencies receiving private payment for health services. One of the main functions of HSS resides in the surveying aspect. The overall responsibility of survey staff is to ensure regulatory compliance by licensed healthcare entities to determine if they are adhering to all established healthcare laws and regulations. Trained and experienced registered nurses are required to ensure these measures are being met to monitor the safe delivery of these services. The “surveyors” within HSS are in the Medical Certification Program Specialist 1/2 job titles. While the minimum qualifications for these job titles do not require the employee to be a RN, the Director of this section has always required applicants and employees to be a RN with 3-5 years of clinical experience. The expertise and knowledge of standards of care and practice provided by a RN are essential to determine the appropriate delivery of services by the licensed providers. When recruiting for RNS, their specific clinical background is extremely significant in direct relationship to the programs and purview of HSS.

RECRUITING
HSS has always expressed their struggles and difficulties in recruiting surveyors because they are essentially competing with the hospitals because of salary and bonuses. They have succeeded in the past by recruiting those RNs they may be working with at the healthcare facilities they are surveying. The RNs know what the surveyors do and apply when a position is available at HSS.

SALARY
Currently, the salary for these positions is Medical Certification Specialist 1 ($49,691 - $93,787) and Medical Certification Specialist 2 ( $53,165 - $100,360). When I look at the data for their hiring practices of these individuals it looks like they are hiring at the minimum, mainly for the Medical Certification Specialist 1. They have hired a few under SCS Rule 6.5(g) (Extraordinary Qualifications) but not many. There are quite a few rehires or transfers from other state agencies also. The rehires and transfers are mainly individuals who were in the RN job series. The pay level for the Med Cert Spec 1 is a MS 518 which is higher than the cap of the RN CPG which is the RN 3 (MS 517). It looks like those that are within state government already as a RN are looking into these jobs so that is another way they are receiving applicants and recruiting/retaining individuals.

TRAINING
There is very specific training that is mandated by CMS for the personnel within this section but I’m not sure of the timeframe. I do know that there are four divisions within HSS and those within the Long-term Care Unit have additional training they must complete that takes longer than other divisions. If you want more information on this I have some and have a contact if they want specific timeframes.

TRAVEL
HSS employs over 200 employees, 150+ of which are assigned strictly to field operations to conduct and administer surveys.  Field Operations is split into six field offices that cover nine regions. In regards to the question below regarding travel, the surveyors work within their assigned field office and they only survey those healthcare facilities and providers within their region. Essentially they are not traveling and if they are it’s not far since it’s within their region.

Please see below for specific answers to your questions, although I think I answered majority of them above. Let me know if you need more information than I’ve given. I’m pretty familiar with HSS and know the staff fairly well so I can get additional answers if needed.

1.        Do you have a similar position?  If so, please list.  If you have a similar position but it does not have to be an RN please include that as well.

Medical Certification Specialist 1<https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/asp/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=163910> and Medical Certification Specialist 2<https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/asp/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=163920>

2.        Does the position travel?

No

3.        If so, how much per week do they travel?

N/A

4.        Does the position have a designated territory within the state?

Yes, HSS is divided into four different programs, one of which is field operations where the surveyors resides. There are six field offices with surveyors within each field office. The surveyors are assigned their healthcare facilities and/or providers to survey that are within their region.

5.        Does the position work with other positions using a rotation schedule or something similar?

No

6.        Do you provide some sort of stipend or premium pay for the position?

No

7.        What best practices can you share that you use to retain individuals in this position?

8.        What best practices can you share that you use to recruit individuals for this position?

9.        Where have you had the most success recruiting from?

They have succeeded in the past by recruiting those RNs they may be working with at the healthcare facilities they are surveying. The RNs know what the surveyors do and apply when a position is available at HSS.
10. Our RN's come into the position with a degree and two years of professional health care experience, then they have other requirements to learn the regulations. This usually requires 6-9 months before they can conduct a survey independently. How do your incumbents prepare for the position?
These positions are filled by a RN with 3-5 years of clinical expertise. I do not have specifics on the timeframe it takes to train these individuals before they are independent enough to conduct the survey but I can certainly get that information from the Director.
11.  If possible, please provide your class description, minimum qualifications, and pay information for this series please?

Medical Certification Specialist 1<https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/asp/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=163910> ($49,691 - $93,787)

Medical Certification Specialist 2<https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/asp/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=163920>( $53,165 - $100,360)

Nicole Tucker, MBA, CCP
Chief Operating Officer
Louisiana State Civil Service
225.342.8264
nicole.tucker at la.gov<mailto:lindsay.ruiz at la.gov>

[cid:image001.png at 01D52804.A10D20B0]<http://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/>  [cid:image002.png at 01D52804.A10D20B0] <https://www.facebook.com/LAStateCivilService>   [cid:image003.png at 01D52804.A10D20B0] <https://twitter.com/LA_SCS>   [cid:image004.png at 01D52804.A10D20B0] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/27236696/>   [cid:image005.png at 01D52804.A10D20B0] <https://www.youtube.com/user/LAStateCivilService>   [cid:image006.png at 01D52804.A10D20B0] <https://www.instagram.com/lastatecivilservice/>

From: Janelle Haynsworth <Janelle.Haynsworth at LA.GOV<mailto:Janelle.Haynsworth at LA.GOV>>
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 4:34 PM
To: Ashton Brown (DSCS) <Ashton.Brown at LA.GOV<mailto:Ashton.Brown at LA.GOV>>; Nicole Tucker (Civil Service) <Nicole.Tucker at La.Gov<mailto:Nicole.Tucker at La.Gov>>
Subject: FW: [NCASG] Survey on Health Facilities Compliance Surveyor

Hi – I need help with Brandy’s question below. Are you aware of a similar function in the facilities? I am thinking maybe the RN-Program Coordinator<https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/asp/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=146740>, but this job covers a few more aspects than their match, I think, and it doesn’t mention federal compliance.

From: Malatesta - DPA, Brandy <brandy.malatesta at state.co.us<mailto:brandy.malatesta at state.co.us>>
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 4:26 PM
To: dhr_ncasg_survey_list at admws.idaho.gov<mailto:dhr_ncasg_survey_list at admws.idaho.gov>; Terry Pickett - DPA <terry.pickett at state.co.us<mailto:terry.pickett at state.co.us>>
Subject: [NCASG] Survey on Health Facilities Compliance Surveyor

EXTERNAL EMAIL: Please do not click on links or attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Good afternoon!
I apologize for the length but we are gathering some information on a difficult to retain position, Health Facilities Compliance Surveyor. The current classification for these duties is Health Profaessional<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__drive.google.com_file_d_0B4enHpLSVk4eZHJHQUdJblU4U1E_view&d=DwMFaQ&c=xlPCXuHzMdaH2Flc1sgyicYpGQbQbU9KDEmgNF3_wI0&r=SEzFqN_i7ITCHrshYd17-7xiSWyRIDXIvtD5tP7SsBA&m=lIDUEX0x0HXa26H0TldlHyyWwQ2f8zMAJxtWNCeP4pE&s=yLcNonKsnZBkwQ0RZEJ25-zXwszvAIztQBmfTzFSPaU&e=>.
The Surveyors conduct resident-centered, outcome-oriented inspections of health care facilities or providers to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state statutes and regulations as well as professional standards of various health care disciplines.  Current guidelines state a registered nurse must complete the survey.
1.     Do you have a similar position?  If so, please list.  If you have a similar position but it does not have to be an RN please include that as well.
2.     Does the position travel?
3.     If so, how much per week do they travel?
4.     Does the position have a designated territory within the state?
5.     Does the position work with other positions using a rotation schedule or something similar?
6.     Do you provide some sort of stipend or premium pay for the position?
8.     What best practices can you share that you use to retain individuals in this position?
9.     What best practices can you share that you use to recruit individuals for this position?
10.   Where have you had the most success recruiting from?
11.   Our RN's come into the position with a degree and two years of professional health care experience, then they have other requirements to learn the regulations. This usually requires 6-9 months before they can conduct a survey independently. How do your incumbents prepare for the position?
12.  If possible, please provide your class description, minimum qualifications, and pay information for this series please?
If we could have any responses by October 30 it would be great.  We really appreciate your time and any information you can provide.  Thanks so much!

Brandy B. Malatesta, MPA, CCP, SHRM-CP
Senior Manager, Compensation
[Image removed by sender.]
P 303.866.5383  |  C 303.919.0507
1525 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203
brandy.malatesta at state.co.us<mailto:brandy.malatesta at state.co.us>  |  www.colorado.gov/dhr<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.colorado.gov_dhr&d=DwMFaQ&c=xlPCXuHzMdaH2Flc1sgyicYpGQbQbU9KDEmgNF3_wI0&r=SEzFqN_i7ITCHrshYd17-7xiSWyRIDXIvtD5tP7SsBA&m=lIDUEX0x0HXa26H0TldlHyyWwQ2f8zMAJxtWNCeP4pE&s=xCL0UC7TthU3BCRtAO-klrjaUjf_-djq1-Y0FivIO8k&e=>
DPA core values: Service | Teamwork | Integrity | Responsiveness | Transparency

________________________________
The information contained in this transmission may contain confidential information. It is intended only for the use of the person(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2753 bytes
Desc: image001.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0012.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1923 bytes
Desc: image002.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0013.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2119 bytes
Desc: image003.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0014.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image004.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1882 bytes
Desc: image004.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0015.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image005.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2035 bytes
Desc: image005.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0016.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image006.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2072 bytes
Desc: image006.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0017.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image007.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 823 bytes
Desc: image007.jpg
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0001.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image008.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2745 bytes
Desc: image008.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0018.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image009.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1947 bytes
Desc: image009.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0019.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image010.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2129 bytes
Desc: image010.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0020.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image011.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1897 bytes
Desc: image011.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0021.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image012.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2037 bytes
Desc: image012.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0022.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image013.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2076 bytes
Desc: image013.png
URL: <http://admws.idaho.gov/pipermail/dhr_ncasg_survey_list/attachments/20201015/6549c8d7/attachment-0023.png>