Quality Assurance Specialist (1)

Description

POSITION OBJECTIVES

Under the direction of the Chief Quality Officer, the Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) is responsible for the operational execution of the organization’s Quality, Compliance, and Risk Management programs.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Quality Program Support. Support implementation and ongoing activities of the organization’s Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program in accordance with organizational policies, applicable regulations, and accreditation standards. Assist with quality improvement activities across departments as assigned.

2. Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting. Collect, track, analyze, and report quality, compliance, risk management, and operational performance data. Prepare reports, summaries, and supporting documentation for leadership, committees, and departments to assist with monitoring organizational performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.

3. Committee Coordination. Coordinate and support Quality, Compliance, Risk Management, and related committee activities including meeting scheduling, agenda preparation, meeting minutes, follow-up tracking, and documentation management.

4. Audit and Accreditation Support. Support organizational readiness activities related to internal audits, external reviews, monitoring activities, and accreditation requirements, including assistance with data collection, documentation preparation, corrective action tracking, and follow-up activities.

5. Risk Management Support. Track and monitor incidents, adverse events, near misses, complaints, grievances, and identified risk trends. Assist with documentation review, corrective action follow-up, and reporting activities in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.

6. Complaint and Grievance Coordination. Receive, document, track, and coordinate escalated patient complaints and grievances in accordance with organizational policies and procedures. Assist with investigations, trend analysis, follow-up activities, and reporting of identified concerns.

7. Policy and Procedure Support. Assist with drafting, revising, organizing, and maintaining policies, procedures, workflows, and supporting documentation related to quality improvement, compliance, risk management, and operational activities.

8. Collaboration and Organizational Support. Work collaboratively with Patient Navigators, clinical staff, leadership, and other departments to support quality improvement, compliance, patient safety, and risk management activities and ensure appropriate escalation and follow-up of identified concerns.

9. Training and Education Support. Assist with coordination of training and educational activities related to quality improvement, compliance, accreditation readiness, patient safety, and organizational policies and procedures.

10. Reporting Responsibilities. Submit regular reports and updates regarding assigned activities to the Chief Quality Officer and other leadership as assigned.

11. Regulatory and Operational Awareness. Remain informed regarding changes in healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, compliance requirements, and industry best practices relevant to assigned responsibilities.

12. Like all employees of the Klamath Tribes, the incumbent will be called upon to accomplish other tasks that may not be directly related to this position, but are integral to the Klamath Tribes’ broader functions, including but not limited to, assisting during Tribal sponsored cultural, traditional, or community events that enable the successful operation of programs and practices of The Klamath Tribes as aligned with The Klamath Tribes’ Mission Statement. Some of these tasks may be scheduled outside of regular work hours, if necessary.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Work is performed under the general direction of the Chief Quality Officer. The Quality Assurance Specialist operates with independence in executing assigned Quality, Compliance, and Risk Management activities, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing work.

The incumbent exercises judgment in applying established policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to assigned responsibilities and determining appropriate courses of action for non-routine situations. Guidance is sought from the Chief Quality Officer for complex, high-risk, or organization-wide issues.

Work is evaluated based on accuracy, timeliness, and effectiveness in supporting quality, compliance, and risk management objectives.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

· Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting methodologies used to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for improvement

· Ability to coordinate and support multiple quality and compliance initiatives simultaneously while managing competing priorities

· Strong organizational and project coordination skills with attention to detail and follow-through

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, summaries, and supporting documentation

· Ability to work collaboratively with clinical, administrative, and leadership teams across the organization

· Must possess excellent oral and written communication skill. Ability to write clear concise policies, narratives and reports.

· Outstanding skills in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

· Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

· Skill in facilitating/conducting training for various stakeholders: Employees/Staff, Providers, Managers, Governing Body members, etc.

· Demonstrated leadership ability.

· Must be able to work well with others in a professional team-oriented environment.

· Must be able to approach staff about quality issues with tact and diplomacy.

· Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with health care personnel from various disciplines.

· Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of medical records and adhere to the standards for health record-keeping, HIPAA and Privacy Act requirements.

· Ability to analyze clinical data, prepare written reports and plans, make informed decisions, take appropriate action and follow through within scope of responsibility.

· Ability to establish methodologies and create consensus to achieve new goals and improve outcomes affecting health care delivery.

· Ability to conduct research with applicable requirements from regulatory organizations.

· Ability to adapt supervisory techniques and theories to personnel and patient issues; must base decisions on solving problems and/or removing barriers.

· Ability to plan, develop, manage, prioritize, evaluate and problem-solve in order to effectively anticipate long term needs as well as balance current workload demands.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION

Minimum Qualifications: Failure to comply with minimum position requirements may result in termination of employment.

· REQUIRED to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in healthcare, public health, business, or related field ( Must submit copy of diploma or transcripts with application) .

· REQUIRED Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in healthcare quality, quality improvement, compliance activities, healthcare operations, audit preparation, incident reporting and tracking, performance monitoring, and/or accreditation readiness within a healthcare environment.

· REQUIRED working knowledge of healthcare quality improvement, compliance, and risk management principles within a healthcare setting.

· REQUIRED working knowledge of applicable healthcare regulatory and compliance requirements, including HIPAA, and demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulatory guidance, and accreditation standards within a healthcare setting.

· REQUIRED demonstrated ability to analyze clinical, quality, compliance, or operational data, identify trends or concerns, and translate