SURVEYOR PHYSICAL PLANT/LIFE SAFETY CODE/HEALTH CARE FACILITIES CODE
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of a Supervising Surveyor Physical Plant/Life Safety Code/Health Care Facilities Code or other supervisory official in the Department of Health, as a survey team member, is responsible for inspecting and evaluating health care facilities and/or services licensed and/or certified by the department to appraise compliance with the Life Safety and Health Care Facilities Codes, physical environment, and environment quality requirements; provides training to staff and others in area of expertise; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Conducts Fire Safety Evaluation Systems (FSES) inspections when required for health care facilities with Life Safety Code waivers.
Recommends Life Safety Code waivers and FSES approvals based on survey findings.
Participates in informal dispute resolution and other enforcement action protocols resulting from inspection findings.
Conducts surveys and/or revisits to health care facilities.
Provides ongoing training to staff to support professional development and educational growth.
Participates as a team member or alone in the inspection or re-inspection of health care facilities to determine compliance with state licensure requirements, federal Medicare/Medicaid certification requirements, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard No. 101 (Life Safety Code), and NFPA Standard No. 99 (Health Care Facilities Code).
Interviews facility administrators, staff members, and proprietors during inspections to evaluate compliance with applicable regulations and advise them of problems identified during the evaluation process.
Reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations for methods of improving controls and operations of health care facilities to meet established standards.
Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data, and compiles information for input toward preparation of inspections, surveys, and/or other reports.
Prepares comprehensive investigative reports which clearly discuss the findings, conclusions, and recommendations relative to compliance with state/federal regulations, programs, standards, and procedures by health care facilities.
Reviews and recommends acceptance or rejection of plans of corrective action submitted by health care facilities, relative to compliance with state/federal regulations and guidelines; initiates requests and follows up on receipt of timely, acceptable plans of correction from health care facilities.
Provides consultation and technical assistance to health care providers, other state agencies, professional groups, community groups, and other related groups in the application and interpretation of state/federal regulations and standards for licensure and certification.
Conducts visits and inspects newly constructed and/or renovated areas in health care facilities to evaluate compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures in accordance with approved plans.
Provides expert testimony at informal and formal hearings for legal actions initiated by the department.
Prepares daily, weekly, or monthly reports as required.
May assist the supervisor in compiling and verifying completeness of state and federal reports and correspondence.
Prepares correspondence.
Participates in formal and informal team conferences and in-service education programs presented for division staff.
May assist in the review of proposed standards for health care facilities and prepares comments and recommendations for supervisory personnel.
Maintains records and files including the physical plant inventory.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Six (6) years of professional Physical Plant/Life Safety and Health Care Facilities Code experience in a health care plant, facility, or organization covering all phases of construction, or in a maintenance position in an inpatient health care facility or any public facility having responsibilities for mechanical and/or life safety systems of the facility, or as a surveyor for Life Safety and Health Care Facilities Code and physical environment requirements in a health care facility or any public facility, or in a supervisory firefighting position.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
NOTE: As a condition of employment, appointees must successfully complete the Basic Life Safety Training sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, contingent on availability of these courses. Appointees will also be required to complete Advanced Life Safety Code courses in Fire Alarm Systems, Sprinkler Systems, and Building Construction Systems after surveying independently for one year.
NOTE: Long Term Care positions require the successful completion of the Long Term Care Basic Training and passing the Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Training will be provided at the onset of employment.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of physical plant operations, methods used to eliminate unsafe conditions and promote safe acts by operators, and safety features to reduce hazards and/or alert personnel.
Knowledge of the local fire authority's general responsibilities to promote adequate fire inspection services for health care facilities.
Knowledge of the provisions of the federal Life Safety Code and FSES equivalency system.
Knowledge of the provisions of the federal Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99).
Knowledge of the physical requirements to be considered in judging safety of an individual health care facility for the purposes for which it is used.
Knowledge of the principles of investigation and documentation.
Knowledge of the methods used to investigate and evaluate complaints.
Knowledge of blueprints and their interpretation relative to adequate square footage, life safety code, quality of life, and basic infection control requirements.
Knowledge of equipment and physical plant maintenance in a health care facility.
Knowledge of team concepts and ability to interact with all levels of health care personnel with dignity and respect.
Knowledge of the methods used to obtain, compile, and evaluate information.
Ability to understand and apply the rules, regulations, policies, methods, and standards of the New Jersey Department of Health and federal Department of Health and Human Services, and their application to all health care facility work of the department with emphasis on the program of surveying/inspecting health care facilities.
Ability to apply FSES requirements in determining Life Safety Code compliance.
Ability to apply knowledge of the necessary components for state/federal reports.
Ability to apply principles of investigation and documentation in preparation of state/federal inspection reports.
Ability to organize assigned work, analyze problems, and develop appropriate work methods.
Ability to analyze and evaluate data obtained through surveys and/or inspections to determine compliance with applicable regulations.
Ability to prepare correspondence.
Ability to testify at hearings.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
