Policy / Procedures

Registered Nurse Surveyor Participation Guidelines

Criteria for Recruiting (Pre-Requisites):

A candidate for the position of Registered Nurse surveyor shall meet the following eligibility criteria.

Education

1. A bachelor’s degree is required.
2. A Graduate degree in nursing or healthcare administration is preferred

Experience:

1. Have 5-years minimum, 10 years preferred active hospital experience, with a focus in administration, healthcare education or quality monitoring (Quality Manager or the equivalent) and be currently active in a hospital accredited by the HFAP.
2. Have experienced one or two HFAP surveys (two preferred)

Application Procedure and Processing:

1. Submit the following to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP):
   • Letter of intent to become an HFAP Surveyor
   • Resume / curriculum vitae
   • Three letters of recommendation.
2. Agree to serve as a federal witness if requested.
3. The HFAP COO will submit candidate resumes and letters of recommendation to the Bureau of Healthcare Facilities Accreditation (BHFA) for review and approval. If approved by the Bureau, an appointment of “surveyor-in-training” will be awarded.
4. Appointment decisions are recorded in the minutes of the Bureau of Healthcare Facilities Accreditation (BHFA) meeting.
5. The COO will notify the candidate of Bureau’s decision. The COO will forward copies of the HFAP Surveyor Confidentiality Agreement and the Business Associate Agreement (BAA) forms to the new appointee for signature. Upon receipt of the signed documents, surveyor-in-training assignments will be prepared.

Training Requirements:

1. Surveyors-in-Training are required to participate with at least two surveys as an observer / surveyor-in-training.
2. As available, attend appropriate:
   • Training program
   • Workshop
3. Surveyors-in-training must receive satisfactory evaluations by two (2) surveyor trainers prior to being advanced as a full surveyor.
4. During year one, the new surveyor is expected to participate in:
   • Two surveys as an observer/surveyor-in-training followed with
   • Two surveys as a full surveyor.
5. Special education and experience for inspection of specific disciplines required for survey of freestanding services:
   • Behavioral/Mental Health
   • Ambulatory Care/Ambulatory Surgery
   • Physical Rehabilitation
   • Mental Health/Substance Abuse Centers

Reappointment Criteria:

Annually, the Bureau Healthcare Facilities Accreditation (BHFA) reviews the list of surveyors for reappointment using the criteria listed below.

1. Participate in four (4) surveys per year.
2. Professionally conducts surveys
3. Maintains confidentiality of survey program materials, accreditation-finding decisions.
4. Advises HFAP staff immediately of any existing or potential conflicts of interest (such as former places of employment) related to survey of facilities for which they are scheduled, and precludes self from participation in such surveys unless approved to do so by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program.
5. When conducting surveys, represents the AOA Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program only. No other business is conducted, nor is any other organization represented, either expressed or implied.
6. Attends HFAP surveyor workshops as provided.
7. Represents the HFAP in a professional manner.
8. Satisfactory evaluations by surveyor trainer, surveyed facilities, and team members. (Effective November 2004)
9. Individuals who are recently retired within one (1) year may be re-approved if they continue to be actively involved in inspections and receive satisfactory evaluations regarding performance.
10. Reappointment decisions are recorded in the minutes of the Bureau Healthcare Facilities Accreditation (BHFA) meeting.

Termination:

1. If a surveyor no longer wishes to continue in this role, the surveyor is asked to have a debriefing with the HFAP COO or designee
2. If the surveyor makes the decision to resign, it is desirable that a four-month notice be provided. It is also desirable that the surveyor complete or find an alternative to any scheduled surveys.
3. Surveyors that receive unsatisfactory peer or facility evaluations will be counseled by the HFAP COO.
4. Surveyors will be terminated for:
   • Unprofessional or unethical behavior
   • Confidentiality breaches
   • Behaviors demonstrating conflicts of interest.

Personnel Files:

1. The Director of Accreditation Services, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program maintains a personnel file for each surveyor.
2. For each surveyor, the following documents will be maintained:
   • Curriculum vitae
   • Signed Surveyor Agreement
   • Letters of Reference
   • Signed Business Associate Agreement
   • Initial BHFA appointment letter
   • Attendance at education sessions
   • Post-training test scores and other competency validation documents
   • Evaluations, including letters of commendation, investigation of complaints and action taken, if required.
   • Other correspondence, information and/or materials related to their services as HFAP surveyors or consultants.