How to become a State Surveyor

ponderingDNP · Dec 31, 2023

Here in Georgia, the application can be found in the Georgia Department of Community Health website, under the Healthcare Facilities Regulations Division department. Perhaps your state has something similar set up in its .gov website.

As for the pay, when I was a surveyor, every surveyor received the same salary regardless of background or credentials, and it was a MAJOR cut in pay from acute care (med-surg) nursing. So, the comparison depends on your current salary. At the time, I didn't care about that; I just needed a break from the bedside. Trading my scrubs for business suits and a rolling briefcase did just the trick for my peace of mind.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 31, 2023

In my area, state healthcare surveyers predominately eval Long Term Care facilities as most hospitals Joint Commission survey is used in lieu of state survey unless complaint filed with state health department. They use computer software to perform survey. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of Medicare and Medicaid facility based regulations, survey process, related laws, regulations, guidelines, environmental quality, sanitation, resident assessment and care plans, facility records, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, gerontology, disability, chronic disease, resident rights, quality of life, nutrition, pharmacy, and infection control. These are usually Civil Service positions, union position in some states; I've seen PA salary ~ 50,000/yr last year posted on PA.gov state website.

Health Care Nurse Surveyor - PA.Gov

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All positions require successful completion of the relevant provider-specific federally mandated Surveyor Minimum Qualifications training and Test (SMQT) provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or an equivalent certifying body for the discipline, within one year of hire.

CMS: How You Should Prepare for The Test

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The best way to prepare for the SMQT is to systematically review information on all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and topic areas found in this manual. In particular:
• Thoroughly study the Federal Long Term Care regulations and the State Operations Manual (SOM), Guidance to Surveyors of Long Term Care Facilities, Appendix PP of the SOM, as well as the Psychosocial Severity Guide and the LTCSP – Procedures Guide. The regulations and Appendix PP are the foundation for all survey activity.
• Also, study areas relating to the clinical aspects of quality of care, medications, and nutrition. Focus on information that would help you do your job as a surveyor.
• Attend any SMQT training programs your State or CMS Location may offer.
• Form study groups with other surveyors to review the materials you have studied during your Basic Long Term Care Training, to discuss your interpretations of those materials, and to practice answering each other's questions on the material.
As with any preparation program, it is best to begin your efforts well in advance. This will allow you to determine the areas in which you need to study early enough so that you have time to acquire the needed knowledge or skills.

Hope this info helps understand job details.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jan 2

Just looked up the average salary for the position in my state and cripes. That's not a lot of money for quite a lot of responsibility. Not to mention the travel that job can have . I would assume travel is compensated in some way but still, the pay seems surprisingly kind of lousy.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jan 2

kbrn2002 said:

Just looked up the average salary for the position in my state and cripes. That's not a lot of money for quite a lot of responsibility. Not to mention the travel that job can have . I would assume travel is compensated in some way but still, the pay seems surprisingly kind of lousy.

One would think the state would pay good money for nurses. They do not. You would be on the road a lot. You would also be confined within an ECF for hours.

An associate was driving her state car. Got side swiped and injured. State would not let her sue the idiot that hit her, because it was their car.

allnurses Guide · Jan 3

Awildflower14 said:

I want to leave bedside nursing and need a job in nursing that pays well. Does a State surveyor make decent money and how do I become one?

I looked into this a few years ago and state surveyors get paid roughly half of what experienced floor nurses do and it caps out at about 64K. Not worth my time and effort especially with the government perks they used to have but don't anymore.

Hppy