MENTAL HEALTH QUALITY ASSURANCE LEAD

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry is seeking a Mental Health Quality Assurance Lead to strengthen mental health care across Arizona’s state prisons. This lead role does not directly supervise staff; instead, the position serves as a subject matter expert, helping colleagues understand quality assurance expectations, sharing best practices, and supporting consistent and effective processes.

The role partners with agency teams and contracted health care providers to review data, identify trends, investigate root causes, and translate findings into lasting improvements. It supports monitoring and reporting programs, staff development, and high-quality care across nine prison complexes. The position is based at Health Care Services, 801 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, Arizona, and requires travel to state facilities and other locations for official business. Salary is $85,000. 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 E-Verify.

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.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the assignment.
• Skill in assessment, research, and analysis; interviewing; investigation; verbal and written communications; synthesizing and presenting information in support of project objectives; organization; time management; and decision making.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of healthcare services; conduct research and compose responses to issues or concerns; compose correspondence and reports; maintain effective working relationships with internal and external entities; multitask, make sound decisions, and meet deadlines; work in a secured prison environment; and travel on state business.
• Pass a background investigation.
• Complete a tuberculosis test during New Employee Orientation and annually thereafter.
• 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.
• 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 as assigned by the ADCRR Medical Director and perform other position-related duties as assigned.
• Travel to state facilities and other locations for official business.

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.
• Arizona State Retirement System participation; 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