Quality Specialist

SCMHCC is currently recruiting for a full-time quality specialist to work from our administrative office in Augusta, KS. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBLITIES:

The Quality Specialist is responsible for coordinating and supporting the agency’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, data collection and analysis, utilization review processes, and performance monitoring in alignment with Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) requirements. This role works collaboratively with leadership staff and as needed with key staff to support data-informed decision-making, regulatory compliance, and improvement of service quality, access, and outcomes.

 Key Responsibilities:

Continuous Quality Improvement:

• Coordinate and maintain the agency’s CQI plan in alignment with CCBHC standards.
• Track, analyze, and report on quality indicators, outcome measures, and performance benchmarks.
• Facilitate CQI meetings, workgroups, and improvement initiatives.
• Support Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles and other quality improvement methodologies.
• Assist departments in identifying improvement opportunities and monitoring corrective action plans.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting

• Collect, validate, analyze, and report clinical, operational, and financial data related to CCBHC performance measures.
• Develop dashboards, scorecards, and routine reports for leadership, teams, and external reporting.
• Support state, federal, and grant reporting requirements related to CCBHC services.
• Monitor data quality and work with staff to resolve documentation or data integrity issues.
• Translate data findings into actionable insights for clinical and administrative teams.

Utilization Review & Service Monitoring

• Conduct utilization reviews to assess medical necessity, appropriateness of services, and adherence to clinical standards.
• Monitor service utilization trends, access to care, timeliness, and service intensity.
• Identify patterns related to over- or under-utilization and collaborate with leadership on improvement strategies.
• Support audits related to utilization management, documentation, and compliance.
• Assist with development and refinement of utilization management policies and procedures.

Compliance & Regulatory Support

• Support compliance with CCBHC certification criteria, performance measures, and reporting requirements.
• Assist with preparation for site visits, audits, and reviews.
• Maintain documentation related to quality management and compliance activities.
• Stay current on CCBHC regulations, guidance, and best practices.
• Stay current on CMHC expectations and support compliance with KDADS Participating Agreement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three or more years of experience in developing data reports in collaboration with managers and other team members. 
• Experience with CCBHC performance measures and reporting is a plus.
• Clinical background or licensure is a plus. 

Required Skills

• Excellent communication skills (oral & written)
• Working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures & regulations of behavioral healthcare industry, including state & federal requirements
• Knowledge of Community Mental Health services in the state of Kansas
• Ability to analyze data, generate reports, and recommend strategies that reflect an adherence to standards, outcomes and efficiencies
• Demonstrated ability to work with highest level of confidentiality and business ethics in relation to organizational systems access
• Familiarity and knowledge of data reporting systems for Kansas mental health providers
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment; ability to work as a business partner with all departments and use organization goals, philosophy, mission, vision and values as operating drivers in all recommendations & decisions
• Ability to manage priorities and maintain expected progress with a variety of assignments
• Must have innovative solutions to ensure continuous quality improvement
• Ability to evaluate and assess effectiveness of improvement tools & processes, making recommendations to further advance the organization
• Must be able to safely perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a business services or financial management role
• Experience in a supervisory or management position, ideally within a health services or similar setting

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds (e.g., office supplies).

This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add to or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.