Clinical Quality Assurance Specialist

The Clinical Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist ensures the delivery of high-quality, compliant mental health services through clinical chart audits, data analysis, and performance monitoring. This role plays a critical part in maintaining regulatory compliance with Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) standards, driving continuous quality improvement, and supporting data-informed decision-making across Crittenton’s mental health programs.

• Conduct regular audits of clinical documentation to ensure compliance with LACDMH, Medi-Cal, HIPAA, and contractual standards.
• Review service delivery practices and identify areas for improvement.
• Participate in LACDMH chart reviews and support agency response to corrective action plans.
• Train clinical staff on documentation standards, medical necessity, and treatment planning best practices.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with DMH, HIPAA, accrediting bodies, Community Care Licensing, and BBS standards.
• Prepare for external audits, licensing inspections, and accreditation site visits.
  Maintain current knowledge of LACDMH policies, QA bulletins, and contract requirements.
  Contribute to the revision and implementation of agency policies and procedures.
• Compile, analyze, and interpret clinical, operational, and outcome data.
• Use statistical tools and dashboards to identify trends, gaps in care, or compliance risks.
  Provide regular reports, metrics, and executive dashboards to leadership.
• Support the development and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to clinical safety, documentation quality, and service delivery.
• Lead or support QI initiatives aimed at improving care standards and operational efficiency.
• Track the effectiveness of QI projects and assist departments in implementing sustainable improvements.
• Participate in root cause analyses (RCAs) and develop corrective action plans as needed.
• Monitor the implementation and outcomes of those corrective measures.
• Maintain accurate records of audits, findings, and QI activities.
• Submit timely reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop executive summaries and present data in a clear, actionable format.
• Collaborate with program leadership, clinicians, and IT/data teams.
• Participate in (and as needed, facilitate) QA meetings and safety review committees.
• Communicate findings, trends, and recommendations clearly across departments and levels of leadership.
• All other duties as assigned.

Salary Range $70,000-$80,000 per year

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or related field (required).
• Completion of clinical hours required to sit for licensure (required); licensure as LCSW or LMFT (preferred).
  Minimum of 3 years of experience in quality assurance, data analysis, or clinical auditing within behavioral or mental health settings.
• Strong knowledge of LACDMH documentation standards, Medi-Cal claiming rules, and audit readiness.
• Experience working in community based programs such as Transitional Housing, Foster Care, and Family Preservation, preferred.
• Proficiency in Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems; experience with Medi-Cal/CalAIM documentation standards (required).
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), dashboard development (preferred).
• Ability to interpret and analyze quality data to identify trends, root causes, and areas for improvement.
• Solid understanding of Agile development methodologies and a proven track record in developing and executing comprehensive test plans and test cases.
• Excellent documentation skills, including creating clear and concise test reports, summaries, and user guides.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Experience with data analysis tools such as SPSS, Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms.
  
  

• Ability to work across various environments, including offices, residential facilities, and field-based settings.
• Capacity to conduct site inspections and assess quality and safety compliance.
• Ability to sit for extended periods at a computer.
• Manual dexterity for keyboard and mouse use.
• Close vision for reviewing documents and computer screens.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
  
  

• Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and Child Abuse Index clearances.
• California driver’s license and insurability under corporate auto policy.
• Federal grantee suitability, Guardian system clearance, and any other regulatory clearances required.