Quality Assurance Specialist - Department of Mental Health Programs

  • Full-time

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

Job Description

Job Summary

As a member of the Quality Assurance Program, the Quality Assurance Specialist will support ensuring all aspects of compliance within the agency’s Los Angeles Country Department of Mental Health (DMH) funded programs. The Quality Assurance Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that St. Joseph Center staff are trained in and adhere to documentation standards consistent with excellent client care, and in compliance with contractual regulatory guidelines.     

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Quality Assurance Specialist’s key areas of responsibility include:  

Key Areas of Responsibility: 

  • Engage in documentation reviews and audits to ensure charts meet the standards enforced by St Joseph Center, DMH, HIPAA, and Medi-Cal.
  • Provide training and support to staff on Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) documentation standards.   
  • Monitor and respond to requests for client and service information from third parties, DMH, and Medi-Cal.  

Essential Duties: 

  • Review and approve progress notes submitted by Case Managers.
  • Train staff in individual and group settings around documentation issues.
  • Utilize the electronic health record (Exym) to run reports and monitor data quality. 
  • Performs site audits to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.  
  • Prepares records for Subpoena or Release of Information requests; collaborates with program staff to obtain and ensure valid consents for releases are obtained.
  • Organize and conduct client chart reviews on a monthly basis. 
  • Collect and submit agency information to DMH and Medi-Cal databases.   
  • Attend LA County DMH QIC meetings and disseminates essential information relevant to staff throughout the agency.
  • Attend and participate in routinely scheduled program, department, and agency staff meetings.
  • Assist with preparation for County and State audits, as well as prepares reports in responses to audits, and plans of corrections.
  • Assists with organizing and facilitating agency trainings.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.  Must be able to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff.  Must have excellent organizational skills and the capability to work in a fast paced environment.   
  • Effective organization, verbal and written communication, and teamwork skills with an ability to manage and support quality improvement efforts.
  • Ability to troubleshoot issues and partner with all levels of employees to identify solutions.
  • Know and comply with agency policies and procedures, HIPAA, LAC-DMH, Medi-Cal policies and documentation guidelines and other state/federal regulations related to quality assurance and management.

Experience:

  • Minimum one year clinical experience in a DMH environment. 
  • Minimum one-year quality assurance experience at a DMH contracted or directly operated program
  • Previous experience with electronic health record systems.   

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services or a related field is preferred but not mandatory.

Direct Reports:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.  

Computer Skills:

  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Ability to use widely supported internet browsers.
  • Experience is using an electronic health record or database.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

  • Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. 
  • Valid automobile liability insurance.

Travel Requirements:

  • Meetings when needed.

Additional Information

Status: Full-Time/Non-Exempt 

Salary: DOE

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

 https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf