Healthcare Facility Nurse inspector/Investigator- 61009071 & 61151011 (Nursing Home Section)

Salary: $82,500.00 - $85,500.00 Annually
Location : Lexington County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 191711
Agency: Department of Public Health
Division: Healthcare Quality
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Closing Date: 10/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: EA24
Position Number::
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Pay Grade: CLN10
Hiring Range - Min.: $82,500.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $85,500.00

Job Responsibilities

Under general supervision, performs comprehensive Medicare/Medicaid certification surveys (initial, complaint, re-certification, validation) of Title 18 & Title 19 facilities for compliance with Federal, State, and other applicable laws and regulations for Healthcare Quality.

• Conducts inspections, surveys, and investigations of healthcare facilities, service providers, and/or applicants. Evaluates the activities to determine the degree to which standards are carried out effectively. Applies extensive knowledge of nursing techniques and patient care planning to evaluate quality of care. Identifies all conditions that do not meet standards. Advises personnel administering activities and services to develop a plan of correction to remedy deficiencies, prevent their reoccurrence, and improve overall quality control and compliance with standards.

• Completes written reports of deficiencies and submits all reports of findings and required documentation in a timely manner. Ensures that all files pertaining to a survey are secured in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and in adherence to federal and state laws. Meets deadlines on written correspondence, documentation, and data entry. Abides by stringent rules regarding the completion of agency forms and practices pertaining to travel, reimbursement, training, and the use of state and/or federal resources. Serves as team leader to a survey team when requested and/or on a rotating basis.

• Conducts pre-survey/inspection/investigation team meetings, reviews of survey findings, entrance and exit interviews, travel arrangements, and directions to survey team when serving as team leader. Represents team as the spokesperson or liaison for surveys when needed. Must be knowledgeable of all applicable regulations, and policies and procedures. Performs other duties when asked, including but not limited to attending local and regional meetings with DPH staff and external organizations as needed. Assists with training staff and participates in hearings and trials.

• Participates in disaster preparedness tasks as outlined in the DPH plan during hazardous weather or state of emergency and reporting to duty and/or being on call on a 24-hour basis when a disaster event occurs.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing. Licensed as a registered nurse by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina.

Agency Additional Requirements:

Must hold an active South Carolina nursing license in good standing, or a valid multistate license in good standing from a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) participating state. Must be able to accommodate roundtrip for up to four (4) hours and distances of up to 400 miles and to accommodate overnight travel 3-4 nights per week. Work flexible hours, including occasional weekends, holidays, and able to exceed eight (8) hours of work per day when needed. Ability to bend, stoop, lift and carry up to 50 pounds to a distance and/or height of up to 20 feet. Must pass and become SMQT (Surveyor Minimum Qualification Test) certified. This certification will provide a 5% salary increase.
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring. Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Preferred Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health Administration, Physical Science, Natural Science, or a related field. A master's degree in Nursing; or bachelor's degree in Nursing with two (2) years' clinical experience as a Registered Nurse; or associate degree or diploma in Nursing with four (4) years of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse. Clinical experience in a Long-Term Care Facility. Reside 50 miles of Columbia.
Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click for additional information.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan
  • State Optional Retirement Program

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

HYBRID WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after 12 months of employment for approved positions.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Employment Authorization and Visa Sponsorship Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of their employment. This agency does not sponsor employment-based visas, including but not limited to H-1B visas, nor does it provide sponsorship for permanent residency or other employment-based immigration benefits now or in the future. Individuals who are authorized to work in the United States under Optional Practical Training (OPT) through a valid F-1 student visa may apply, provided they possess current employment authorization and do not require employer sponsorship to continue working in the United States at any point during employment. All offers of employment are contingent upon verification of identity and eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with federal law. This agency complies with all applicable federal employment eligibility verification requirements. By submitting this application, I certify that I am legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require employer sponsorship for a work visa now or at any time during employment.

• Yes
• No

02

Did you graduate from an accredited school of nursing?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you licensed as a registered nurse by the State of Nursing for South Carolina?

• Yes
• No

04

If you are not licensed by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina, have you obtained a South Carolina Board of Nursing endorsement?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you licensed in a compact state as a registered nurse?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you SMQT (Surveyor Minimum Qualification Test) certified?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you able to work varying hours between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.?

• Yes
• No

08

In this position, some workdays may exceed eight (8) hours. Are you able to accommodate this need?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you willing to drive round trip up to four (4) hours and distances of up to 400 miles and accommodate overnight travel 3-4 nights per week?

• Yes
• No

10

Are you able to travel overnight and occasionally out of state?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you able to work occasional weekends and/or holidays?

• Yes
• No

12

Can you lift and carry up to 50 lbs to a distance and height of 20 feet?

• Yes
• No

13

Do you have clinical experience in a Long-Term Care Facility?

• Yes
• No

14

Do you reside 50 miles of Columbia?

• Yes
• No

15

Would you be willing to accept a salary within the hiring range of $82,500 - $85,500?

• Yes
• No

16

Are you currently working for or have ever worked for South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) or South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH)?

• Yes
• No

17

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. The application and not an attached resume will be reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

18

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

19

If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

20

How did you hear about this position?

• State NeoGov website (careers.sc.gov)
• LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook<