MENTAL HEALTH QUALITY ASSURANCE AUDITOR

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry is hiring a Mental Health Quality Assurance Auditor (Program Evaluation Specialist) for its Health Services Contract Monitoring Bureau in Phoenix, Arizona. The auditor works with a team to review mental health care across 16 state and private prison facilities, assessing the quality and timeliness of services and whether contracted vendors meet applicable requirements. The role identifies patterns in service use and denials and highlights opportunities to improve care.

The auditor shares findings with facility leaders, supports improvements to processes and coordination of care, and prepares clear, confidential reports and responses for internal and external inquiries. The position includes clinical and utilization reviews, audits, investigations, and collaboration with facility staff and contract monitors. The role requires working in a prison environment. Salary is $78,000. The posting is open until filled.

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles and practices of mental health treatment in a correctional setting.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and utilization review methodology.
• Knowledge of basic procedure analysis and policy development methodology.
• Knowledge of research and patient assessment methodology.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the assignment.
• Knowledge of the Windows operating system.
• Skill in assessment, research, and analysis.
• Skill in interviewing and investigation.
• Skill in verbal and written communication.
• Skill in synthesizing and presenting information in support of project objectives.
• Skill in organization and time management.
• Skill in decision-making.
• Skill in typing and computer use.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of healthcare services.
• Ability to compose correspondence and reports effectively.
• Ability to multitask, conduct research, and prepare responses to issues and concerns.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external entities.
• Ability to compile information and reports, make decisions, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with the Department’s standardized databases and in a prison environment.
• Employment is contingent on successfully passing a background investigation.
• Employees must take a TB test during New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.
• New State employees must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Three years of experience providing mental health treatment services to incarcerated individuals.
• A master's degree or higher in a mental health-related field and a current Arizona license from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
• Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP).

Responsibilities

• Review mental health and other records related to services provided by contracted vendors.
• Review Health Needs Request forms and appointment schedules to ensure timely on-site services.
• Collaborate with Facility and Contract Bed Compliance Monitors on mental health issues.
• Monitor and review services for unusual patterns of utilization or denial.
• Evaluate the clinical appropriateness of mental health services, including provider referrals and documentation.
• Conduct utilization reviews, spot checks, and scheduled quality assurance audits to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and ADCRR policies and procedures.
• Provide feedback to site-level administration and collaborate with staff to ensure processes follow policies and procedures and use resources effectively.
• Conduct clinical reviews and interviews to support inmate grievance appeal responses, investigations, and lawsuits.
• Complete required reports, conduct research, and prepare correspondence.
• Attend meetings and trainings, and complete special projects and assignments within required time frames.
• Perform other duties appropriate to the assignment.

Benefits

• Vacation and sick days, with 10 paid holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child (pilot program).
• Medical, dental, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance options.
• Retirement program through the Arizona State Retirement System; enrollment eligibility begins after 27 weeks of employment.
• Optional deferred compensation plans and credit union membership.
• Wellness program.
• Incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed