This is a full-time, permanent, home-based Hospital Environmental Health and Safety Inspector position with a requirement for regular travel throughout Washington state.
Field work throughout Western Washington region (primarily within King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties) is expected to comprise approximately 45% of work time. However, the employee must be available to travel anywhere in Washington state based on operational needs.
The Opportunity
This Hospital Environmental Health and Safety Inspector position is located within the Office of Health Systems Oversight (OHSO), whose role is to support the department’s mission to work with others to protect and improve the health of people in the state of Washington by contributing to safe care and providing oversight of state-licensed and federally certified clinical and behavioral health entities, and by ensuring they meet applicable standards.
This position serves as an agency expert in health care facility inspections and/or complaint investigations and may serve as lead on health inspections.
This position also conducts environmental health and safety inspections and other non-clinical inspections and complaint investigations in state-licensed and federally certified Acute Care Hospitals (ACH), Birthing Centers (CBC), Behavioral Health Hospitals (HPSY), Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Treatment Hospitals (HALC), Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), Outpatient Physical Therapy (OPT), and Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORF). This position may also serve as an expert assisting other inspectors and investigators representing the agency to health providers, facilities, patients, the public, and others regarding issues of high visibility or sensitivity.
Key Responsibilities Include
Planning and Research
Develop an overall approach and create an inspection or investigation plan by gathering information on past inspections, complaints, current laws, rules, and regulations, and team member/co-worker input for planning and organizing inspection and investigation processes.
Review complaint documentation and allegations (if assigned a complaint investigation) to determine if a possible violation of state or federal rules/regulations is within the jurisdiction of the regulated health care facility or agency.
Fieldwork, Evidence Collection and Observations
Conduct on-site and off-site inspections and investigations primarily within the Western Washington region (King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties) to determine compliance with state and federal health and safety standards in assigned health care facilities.
Lead and direct initial and routine inspections and/or complaint investigations of assigned facilities under the direction of the supervisor.
Collect information by interviewing staff, patients, family members or representatives, providers, agency/facility personnel, other interested or affected parties.
Review documents, policies, procedures, and personnel records to evaluate the regulated health care facility or agency’s compliance with required personnel requirements, internal/external policies, and state/federal laws.
Observe and evaluate the health care facility or agency, as well as the operation of the facility’s health and safety activities.
Use environmental measurement instruments and apply critical thinking when observing an environment for safety hazards, including slip hazards, air quality, hygiene, infection control, food safety, and physical environment.
Analysis, Compliance Determination and Decision Making
Review, analyze, and evaluate the information from observations, interviews, and document reviews to determine areas of compliance/non-compliance based upon state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and standards of care.
Identify findings in state and federal inspections and investigations using laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, environmental health and safety standards, standards of care, industry guidelines, and policies and procedures.
Receive, evaluate, and approve proposed plans of correction reports from the health care facility or agency (to the extent decision-making has been delegated by management).
Reporting, Documentation and Case Management
Utilize computer programs and databases in conjunction with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations to create written reports and give verbal explanations of findings.
Make conclusions and prepare comprehensive reports to determine regulatory compliance for state licensure and federal certification, utilizing computer programs within performance measure timelines.
Use approved formatting and “plain language” to write clear, defensible statement of deficiency reports in accordance with state and federal guidelines for content, structure, and timeliness.
Compile and prepare necessary documentation of deficiencies or violations in support of proposed corrective, legal, or enforcement action.
Manage the flow of required documents, reports, and communication between the facility, administrative staff, and program staff.
Provide the statement of deficiency/non-deficiency reports to the regulated health care facility or agency with instructions on how to respond with a plan of correction document.
Communication and Consultation
Serve as the primary point of contact with the facility representative and Office of Health Systems Oversight management during an inspection or investigation.
Communicate and consult with the manager/supervisor as needed for clarification of a rule, regulation, or process requirement, or to report and discuss when a more serious-level finding is discovered.
Educate the facility on how to make changes and achieve an acceptable plan of correction document if their submitted report is incomplete, inaccurate, or inadequate.
Conduct on-site and off-site revisits, when appropriate, to ensure the facility has met established standards or other regulatory requirements included in the plan of correction.
Participate in legal proceedings and testify as an expert witness regarding enforcement actions, licensure, or certification requirements.
Why You’ll Enjoy This Role
You’ll provide education and technical assistance on compliance with state and federal health and safety regulations of assigned facilities; work collaboratively within the agency and across other state, federal, county, and city agencies to further the department’s regulatory responsibilities; and participate in division, office, and facility performance improvement activities to increase accuracy, timeliness, and overall quality of our services.
Join us, and apply your professional judgment, skills, and technical knowledge to make a difference in patient safety!
Required Qualifications
There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.
Option 1: Eight (8) or more years of experience in applying state and federal health and safety standards and regulations in a survey, inspection, investigation, auditing, or accreditation environment or in a public or private sector health-related industry, or in an investigative, regulatory, or other related field.
Option 2: Eight (8) or more years of experience in social work, social science, speech pathology, occupational or physical therapy, psychology, public health, health care administration, or as a Midwife licensed in the State of Washington (or in another state and eligible to obtain licensure within six (6) months of hire).
Option 3: A bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, social science, speech pathology, occupational or physical therapy, psychology, biological, physical and/or environmental science, public health, health care administration, or other related field.
AND
Four (4) or more years of experience in applying state and federal health and safety standards and regulations in a survey, inspection, investigation, auditing, or accreditation environment or in a public or private sector health-related industry, or in an investigative, regulatory, or other related field.
Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience
AND for all options: Advanced knowledge of principles, concepts, and methodology of observation and inspection and interviewing techniques.
After a conditional offer of employment, a criminal history background check will 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 position.
The duties of this position may require the incumbent to complete an identity verification/validation process to gain authorized access to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services systems to perform the essential functions of the position. This verification/validation process may require the incumbent to provide government-issued identification, current photo/image, Social Security number, and credit report information.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in environmental health or registered as an Environmental Health Specialist or Registered Sanitarian.
- A master’s degree in public health, health care administration, or other related field.
- Experience working with and interpreting state laws or federal regulations related to hospital systems or other regulated, licensed, or certified healthcare facilities.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, organization, and objectives of environmental health; statutes, ordinances, and resolutions pertaining to environmental health; state and federal laws and State Board of Health (SBOH) regulations relating to environmental health; bacteriology; vector control; and educational principles and techniques.
Employee Benefits
We want you to have the support and benefits you need to do your best work while building a career that fits your life. As a DOH employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, with resources to support you now and help you plan for the future. Learn more about DOH benefits and what it’s like to work with us by visiting Work@Health.
OHSO’s vision is to be an effective partner in ensuring health and safe patient care in the community we oversee. We achieve this through timely, comprehensive, consistent, and fair reviews, inspections, and investigations; providing reports that identify areas of non-compliance with existing regulations and, when required, initiating enforcement action to protect the public. We also serve as the contracted agency for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the enforcement of Medicare’s conditions of participation. The department is also approved by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as an accrediting body (AB) providing accreditation services for Behavioral Health Agencies (BHA) certified for opioid treatment provider (OTP) services in the state.
About the Washington State Department of Health
We’re nearly 2,700 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.
At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.
Working Conditions
The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Travel Requirements: Regular travel will be required to conduct on-site inspections and investigations throughout Washington state. When traveling for work, the incumbent may travel alone or with another person, may include day trips, may stay overnight, or for several days and nights, in/or out of state depending on the location and business needs of the investigation/inspection to perform the essential functions of the position, including but not limited to, on-site inspections of facilities. When driving for state business, the incumbent must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle or provide alternative transportation while on state business.
Work Setting: When not traveling for work, the incumbent may work from home, from a DOH facility, or work remotely from an alternative location. The official duty station will be either the nearest DOH facility or home-based. Exposure to hazards may include, but is not limited to, those found in mobile, home, DOH office, or health care facility environments. Duties may require moving objects weighing up to 30 lbs., including but not limited to: equipment and supplies for conducting onsite inspections and/or investigations and paper case files.
Schedule: Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs. May need to work more than 40 hours per week to meet critical deadlines or address workload peaks. May be asked to work on Holidays and weekends. A flexible work schedule may be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval.
Tools & Equipment: Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment and other communication devices (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.) to input data into state and federal databases related to work activities and communicate verbally and in writing with others.
Customer Interactions: Frequent contact (likely daily) with facilities, patients, or complainants, including some contact with those who may be angry, distraught, or frustrated. Presentations to industry associations, onsite with assigned facilities, and phone interface with facility staff and patients. Contact with other state, federal, CMS, other agency staff, or external customers may be required.
Other: This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative. The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities.
We Encourage You to Apply
If you meet the required qualifications for this position; we want to hear from you. Preferred qualifications describe additional experience, knowledge or skills that may be helpful in the role, but they are not required to be considered for the position. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.
Application Directions
To be considered, you must complete the online application in full and submit all required materials. Incomplete applications or applications missing required materials will not be considered. When completing your application, please include the following required materials:
- Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
- Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
- Three (3) professional references: References must be entered directly into the designated references section of your application or attached as a separate document. At least one reference must be a current or recent supervisor.
DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.
Veterans Preference: We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214, NGB Form 22, or other equivalent discharge or separation documentation. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve. DOH is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, the presence or perception of a disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.
Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Kristina Cox at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH9017.
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
To be considered, please follow the application instructions and complete all required application materials. Information provided in your supplemental question responses, including education and experience, must be supported by your applicant profile and verifiable.
Source: State of Washington job board (GovernmentJobs).
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