Mental Health Quality Assurance Auditor

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry is hiring a Mental Health Quality Assurance Auditor to help strengthen mental health care across 16 state and private prison facilities. Working with a team of auditors, the position reviews records, assesses the quality and timeliness of services, and evaluates whether care provided by contracted vendors meets applicable requirements. The auditor identifies patterns in service use and denials and helps turn findings into practical improvements.

The position shares findings with facility leaders, supports improved processes and coordination of care, and prepares clear, confidential reports and responses for internal and external inquiries. The role works in a prison environment and involves collaboration with facility staff and other compliance monitors.

Requirements

• Three years of experience providing mental health treatment services to incarcerated individuals.
• Master's degree or higher in a mental health-related field.
• Current Arizona license from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
• Pass a background investigation.
• Take a tuberculosis test during New Employee Orientation and annually thereafter.
• Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Meet driver’s license requirements if driving or using a vehicle is an essential job function.
• Knowledge of mental health treatment principles and practices 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.
• Skills in assessment, research, analysis, interviewing, investigation, verbal and written communication, synthesizing and presenting information, organization, time management, decision-making, typing, and computer use.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of healthcare services; compose correspondence and reports; multitask; conduct research and prepare responses; build and maintain effective working relationships; compile information and reports; make decisions and meet deadlines; work with standardized databases; and work in a prison environment.

Nice To Haves

• 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
• 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 insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability options
• Long-term disability options
• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retirement program, with enrollment eligibility effective after 27 weeks of employment
• Optional deferred compensation plans
• Credit union membership
• Wellness program
• Incentivized commuter club
• Public transportation subsidy program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level