Investigator III

Job Description :

Investigator III - Facility Investigator

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems.

The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making qualifying monthly payments.

We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as (k) and Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Facility Investigator, Investigator III, performs moderately complex (journey-level) investigative work and administrative tasks at the State Supported Living Center (SSLC).

Performs field investigations of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) and injuries involving residents of the facility.

Performs comprehensive preliminary investigations to identify protection from harm and ensure reporting guidelines are followed.

Follows-up on outstanding external cases such as those through Health and Human Services Commission Provider Investigations (HHSCPI) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to ensure documentation guideline dates are adhered to.

Works in concert with Campus Administrators to ensure incidents that occur on non-business hours continue to move through the investigative process to remain in compliance with ICF and Settlement Agreement requirements.

Verifies information, collects and properly maintains evidence, data and documents for use in investigations. Evaluates and summarizes investigative findings and writes reports.

Prepares cases for presentation and presents testimony and evidence at administrative hearings, such as disciplinary hearings, or in court proceedings.

Serves as a member of the Incident Management Team, conducts Root Cause Analysis meetings and participates on other assigned committees as needed.

Completes data entry for unusual incidents and follows-up with unusual incident recommendations. Assists with tracking injury reports.

Consults with State Office Incident Management on a regular basis. Provides technical assistance and administrative support to accomplish the State Operated Facilities missions, including being a part of the critical incident team for unusual incidents after normal business hours.

Performs office functions as needed to support the department. Performs other related duties as be assigned. Works under the general supervision of the Incident Management Coordinator, or other appropriate supervisor depending on SSLC structure, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Flexibility in work schedule is necessary to ensure facility maintains coverage at all hours. Required to be "on call", on a rotating basis, for emergency investigation work.

Essential Job Functions :

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and / or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Conducts investigations of Reportable Incidents and Serious Injury and the preliminary investigation of unusual incidents to ensure prompt intervention in the care, safety and well-being of persons served.

Works collaboratively with campus administrators to ensure incidents that occur after normal business hours are investigated promptly and move through the investigative life-cycle as required by applicable policy and procedures.

Collects and reviews evidence and data through field investigations and data collection, including direct observations and review of video surveillance.

Contacts and interviews witnesses and complainants.

Evaluates, summarizes and documents investigative findings. Prepares reports and communicates findings to designated supervisory staff.

Prepares cases for presentation at administrative hearings such as those involving staff terminations and presents testimony when required.

Attends daily meeting related to Abuse Neglect and Exploitation (ANE) Unusual Incidents, peer-to-peer aggression and falls.

Prepares detailed meeting minutes and follows up on identified issues. Serves as member of the Incident Management Team Serves as part of the critical incident team for unusual incidents after hours, providing technical assistance and support.

Serves on other teams as appointed by the supervisor.

Works effectively with external agencies including HHSC, State-Office, law enforcement (including OIG), HHSC-PI and other entities, to complete collaborative investigations as assigned by the supervisor.

Reviews and summarizes information received and other evidence collected to produce investigative findings. Effectively utilizes the assistance of other staff to complete investigations successfully.

Follows up with HHSC-PI and OIG when necessary to ensure documentation guidelines are adhered to, supplying them with information necessary for timely resolution of their cases.

Completes data entry and coordinates actions following unusual incidents, serious client injuries, and abuse / neglect allegations, and ensures incidents are reported to HHSC Regulatory, HHSC State Office, and other agencies within required timeframes.

Assists with tracking of these reports. Complies with the requirements and protocols of the essential elements of incident management.

Reports incidents to the HHSC-PI per incident management requirements.

Participates in, and facilitates, individualized root cause analysis related to specific investigations and makes recommendations for proactive measures to prevent future injury occurrences and / or policy violations.

Participates on work groups and committees related to incident management and root cause analysis to analyzes the general SSLC operations to ensure compliance with statutory standards and regulations.

Makes recommendations for improvements to the designated supervisor.

Maintains and tracks data for management reports such as trend analysis. Participates in audits and inspections as assigned by the supervisor.

In the absence of clerical / administrative staff, assists with administrative duties, within the incident management department including completing orders for and distributing office supplies, scheduling interviews and appointments for the incident management coordinator, making travel arrangements.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and / or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and / or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and / or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities :

Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID) rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State Supported Living Center, or ability to gain that knowledge.

Knowledgeable of existing laws and legislative actions that relate to protection from harm and residential rights, or ability to gain that knowledge.

Knowledge of investigative principles, techniques and procedures.

Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software including Word, Excel, and MS Outlook.

Skill in interviewing and negotiation techniques.

Skill in searching records to identify and retrieve information.

Skill in the formulation of comprehensive investigative report.

Skill in critical thinking, problem solving and research.

Ability to convey thoughts, actions, and reasons, to explain events leading up to the incidents.

Ability to effectively communicate and interview witnesses with varying emotional, educational, cultural, and social classes.

Ability to effectively manage and control emotions.

Ability to conduct investigations.

Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations.

Ability to work collaboratively with other investigators or investigative entities such as HHSC state-office, law enforcement, HHSC-PI.

Ability to conduct interviews and gather facts.

Ability to evaluate findings and to prepare concise executive-level investigative reports.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to testify in hearings and court proceedings.