Surveyor
Definition: A trained professional employed or contracted by the state survey agency to conduct inspections of nursing homes and evaluate compliance with federal and state regulations. Most surveyors are registered nurses, but teams may include dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, and other professionals.
In Practice
Surveyors follow standardized CMS protocols and use Critical Element Pathways to investigate compliance. They conduct observations, interviews, and record reviews over multiple days. Their findings are documented on the CMS-2567. Surveyors participate in ongoing training to maintain consistency in survey processes.