Mental Health Quality Assurance Lead

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry is seeking an experienced Mental Health Quality Assurance Lead to strengthen mental health care across Arizona’s state prisons. The role does not directly supervise staff; instead, it serves as a subject matter expert who helps colleagues understand quality assurance expectations, shares best practices, and supports consistent and effective processes.

The Lead partners with agency teams and contracted healthcare providers to review data, identify trends, investigate root causes, and implement lasting improvements. The position advances monitoring and reporting programs, supports staff development, and promotes high-quality care across nine prison complexes. It also involves travel to state facilities and other locations for official business.

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.
• Knowledge of research and patient methodology.
• Basic computer skills.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the assignment.
• Skill in assessment, research, and analysis.
• Skill in interviewing and investigation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize and present information in support of project objectives.
• Organization and time-management skills.
• Decision-making skills.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of healthcare services.
• Ability to conduct research and compose responses to issues and concerns.
• Ability to compose correspondence and reports.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external entities.
• Ability to multitask, make sound decisions, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a secured prison environment and travel on state business.
• Employment is contingent on passing a background investigation.
• Employees must take a tuberculosis test during New Employee Orientation and annually thereafter.
• Newly hired State employees must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• If driving or using a vehicle is an essential job function, applicable driver’s license requirements apply.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Certified Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP).

Responsibilities

• Train and guide staff on job expectations, procedures, and quality standards.
• Resolve customer questions and provide timely, dependable support.
• Coach staff in meeting quality assurance program objectives.
• Evaluate staff performance and present findings to the Quality Assurance Director.
• Facilitate meetings with staff, stakeholders, and partners.
• Coordinate vendor oversight and healthcare operations across multiple state prison complexes.
• Develop monitoring tools, guides, and standardized work procedures.
• Build and maintain databases, conduct root cause analyses, and partner with contracted healthcare providers and ADCRR Operations to implement and sustain improvements.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and present actionable findings to stakeholders.
• Develop methods to identify and assess errors, risks, and system issues.
• Maintain reporting systems for preventable adverse events and other key performance measures.
• Escalate concerns through the supervisory chain of command and coordinate timely resolution.
• Strengthen ongoing monitoring of contracted healthcare providers and advance sustainable quality improvement initiatives.
• Monitor compliance with ADCRR Health Services Technical Manuals, National Commission on Correctional Health Care standards, and federal court injunctions.
• Advance Continued Quality Improvement studies across all nine state prison complexes.
• Participate in required meetings and training.
• Lead or contribute to special projects and assignments.
• Carry out additional duties assigned by the ADCRR Medical Director and other position-related duties as assigned.
• Travel to state facilities and other locations for official business.

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, dental, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance options.
• Retirement program through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS); enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.
• Optional deferred compensation plans.
• Credit union membership.
• Wellness program.
• Incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program.

What This Job Offers

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