Nurse Surveyor

Overview

About this Role
At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

Health care facilities in California are licensed, regulated, inspected, and/or certified by a number of public and private agencies at the state and federal levels, including the CDPH Center for Health Care Quality (CHCQ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CHCQ is responsible for ensuring health care facilities comply with state laws and regulations. In addition, CHCQ cooperates with CMS to ensure that facilities accepting Medicare and Medi-Cal (in California, Medicaid is referred to as Medi-Cal) payments meet federal requirements. CHCQ also oversees the certification of nurse assistants, home health aides, hemodialysis technicians, and the licensing of nursing home administrators.

Job Description and Duties

Employees appointed to this classification shall receive a Recruitment and Retention Differential of $200 per month.*
*This classification is authorized to receive a starting salary rate of $$9,022 under Pay Scales Section 5.

Please note: All qualified applicants must possess a valid Registered Nursing (RN) license as required by the Minimum Qualifications of the NS classification. Lower- level licensure, such as that of a Vocational Nurse (LVN) is non-qualifying for this classification.

The Nurse Surveyor (NS) conducts inspections, investigations, surveys, and evaluations of health facilities for conformity with licensing and certification requirements of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and for compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations relating to medical care. Advises healthcare facility administrators and community agencies regarding State health facilities inspection, licensing, and certification programs. Primary responsibility is for uniform application and enforcement of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to areas affecting total patient care such as nursing, physician, restorative, pharmacy, social, dental, and related services. Extensive travel will be required.

The incumbent works under the direction of the Nurse Surveyor Supervisor II.

Please use this link to take the NS Exam:

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4909

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions:

PLEASE NOTE: Resumes, letters, Supplemental Questionnaire, transcripts, degrees, your state application, cover letters and other materials will not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.  Simply copying and pasting your resume will also not be accepted. Applications received without an SOQ may be rejected.

The Statement of Qualifications serves as a documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely. Applications received without a clearly titled Statement of Qualifications may not be considered for this position. The response must include the applicant’s name in the upper right-hand corner and address the question below. A resume is not needed for this position.

Statement of Qualifications  Instructions:

Please describe your registered nursing experience and/or clinical residency experience. Include the start and end dates (month and year) for each job, duties performed, level of responsibility, and community and/or clients served

Key Responsibilities
The incumbent conducts in‑depth surveys, inspections, and investigations of licensed healthcare facilities to determine compliance with State licensing and Federal certification requirements. This includes traveling to facilities, working independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team, and performing comprehensive evaluations of patient care, healthcare delivery systems, and regulatory adherence. Responsibilities include conducting and documenting interviews with residents, staff, and other relevant individuals; reviewing medical records while ensuring strict confidentiality; assessing compliance with laws and regulations; and preparing detailed narrative reports, statements of deficiencies, and recommendations for corrective actions.

You will respond to complaints related to patient care by conducting thorough investigations, documenting evidence for potential legal action, and determining compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. The role includes preparing and delivering written and verbal testimony for enforcement proceedings such as informal conferences, citation review meetings, evidentiary hearings, court hearings, arbitration, and informal dispute resolutions. The incumbent may serve as an expert witness in matters related to healthcare laws, regulations, and patient care standards.

The position also participates in meetings and local programs to promote consistent regulatory compliance across healthcare facilities, attends training to remain current on healthcare delivery trends, and provides consultation and assistance to healthcare facility administrators regarding inspection requirements, licensing processes, construction standards, and operational compliance.

Qualifications
• Strong knowledge of nursing practice, patient care standards, and healthcare delivery systems across a variety of facility types.

• Experience conducting inspections, surveys, or investigations in healthcare settings with the ability to interpret and apply State and Federal regulations.

• Demonstrated skill in interviewing patients, staff, and stakeholders and documenting findings clearly, accurately, and objectively.

• Proficiency in reviewing and analyzing medical records, identifying relevant information, and maintaining confidentiality at all times.

• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills with the ability to independently determine regulatory compliance based on observations and evidence.

• Experience preparing comprehensive narrative reports, statements of deficiencies, and investigative summaries.

• Ability to develop and deliver written and verbal testimony in legal or administrative proceedings and serve as an expert witness.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively on survey teams and interact professionally with facility administrators, staff, and the public.

• Ability to stay current on healthcare regulations, survey protocols, and trends in healthcare delivery through training and professional development.

• Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple investigations, travel requirements, and deadlines.