DSHS WSH Long Term Care Surveyor - Quality Coordinator

State of Washington•Pierce County – Lakewood, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

DSHS WSH Long Term Care Surveyor - Quality Coordinator Western State Hospital’s Gage Center is seeking a Quality Coordinator, also known as a Long Term Care Surveyor, to support certification, accreditation, and performance improvement efforts within an inpatient psychiatric hospital setting. The primary focus of this role is to review and evaluate inpatient psychiatric treatment practices, medical record documentation, and the physical environment to ensure care meets accreditation, certification, and hospital policy standards. This position works proactively with hospital leadership and clinical teams to strengthen patient-centered care, implement quality assurance monitoring systems, and promote continuous improvement. Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Requirements

Applicants must have an understanding of quality assurance systems and structured performance improvement approaches to evaluate compliance and strengthen care delivery.
Applicants should demonstrate a working knowledge of Joint Commission standards, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation, and applicable state regulations governing inpatient psychiatric care.
A master’s degree in social work, speech pathology, occupational or physical therapy, psychology, special education, nutrition, sociology, behavioral health, or allied field, AND two years of professional experience in planning, administering, licensing, monitoring or delivering social or health service programs.
A bachelor’s degree AND two years of professional/practical experience working with people delivering social and health services or experiencing developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental health challenges.
Eight years of professional/practical experience working with people delivering social and health services and/or experiencing developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental health challenges.
Two additional years of qualifying experience will substitute for the master’s degree provided a bachelor’s degree in one of the above mentioned fields has been achieved.
A degree in Social Work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
For selected positions required to successfully complete the federally required basic certification surveyor training, the basic and advanced state investigator training and completion of approved interviewing technique course.
Employees in positions surveying nursing homes will be required to participate in the Basic Long Term Care Surveyor training provided by the federal government and must successfully complete the Surveyor Minimum Qualification test and all required federal training prior to being certified.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Joint Commission standards, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation, and applicable state regulations governing inpatient psychiatric care.
Understanding of quality assurance systems and structured performance improvement approaches to evaluate compliance and strengthen care delivery.
Familiarity with inpatient psychiatric treatment standards and patient-centered care principles.
Knowledge of how hospital systems function and how to align compliance monitoring efforts within established communication structures.
Ability to compare written documentation with observed practice, evaluate data, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Ability to speak and write clearly, prepare detailed audit reports, and use appropriate organizational communication channels.
Skill in organizing work, coordinating with supervisors and department leaders, and supporting hospital-wide compliance initiatives.
Experience using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and web-based systems to conduct data analysis and prepare audit reports.

Responsibilities

Assist the Gage Center in achieving and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Perform regular audits/tracers of records, procedures, and compliance with policies, standards, and regulations.
Identify and analyze quality assurance data to identify trends, errors, or areas needing improvement.
Help create and implement quality improvement strategies to address identified gaps and enhance efficiency and patient care.
Assist with training and educating hospital staff on quality assurance practices and best practices to ensure consistent application of standards.
Help foster a culture that prioritizes patient safety, reduces medical errors, and aims for continuous improvement in the quality of care provided.
Prepare reports and documentation related to quality assurance activities.
Provide guidance and support to disciplines on quality assurance matters.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care.