A professional who inspects health care facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, sheltered care homes, maternity homes, and day care centers, to enforce public health laws and to investigate complaints. Responsibilities include:

• Inspects physical facilities, equipment, accommodations, and operating procedures to ensure compliance with laws governing standards of sanitation, acceptability of facilities, record keeping, staff competence qualifications, and ethical practices.
• Reviews reports concerning staffing, personal references, floor plans, fire inspections, and sanitation.
• Recommends changes in facilities, standards, and administrative methods in order to improve services and efficiency, utilizing knowledge of good practices and legal requirements.
• Advises applicants for approval of health care facilities on license application and rules governing operation of such facilities.
• May testify at hearings or in court.
• May compile data on conditions of health care facilities, for use in determining construction needs in community or region.