Quality Assurance and CQI Specialist

United Cerebral Palsy Heartland•Berkeley, MO

12h•$26 - $34•Hybrid

About The Position

The QA & CQI Specialist is responsible for supporting and advancing UCP Heartland's Quality Assurance (QA) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives across programs and services. This role ensures compliance with regulatory, accreditation, funding, and organizational standards while driving data-informed improvements that enhance service quality, client outcomes, and organizational effectiveness. The QA & CQI Specialist reports directly to the Sr. Director of Quality Assurance and has no supervisory responsibilities. This position collaborates with employees at all levels of UCP Heartland and partners with program leadership to support Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement efforts throughout the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in human services, Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Business Administration, Quality Management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of four (4) years of experience training or working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Strong knowledge of Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement principles and methodologies, including PDCA, root cause analysis, and performance improvement practices.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and present findings effectively.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
CARF and Medicaid waiver program experience
Program Evaluation experience

Nice To Haves

Experience with CARF accreditation standards and Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) requirements.
Experience conducting program evaluations, compliance audits, and mock surveys.
Experience developing and monitoring corrective action plans.
Experience analyzing quality metrics and performance data.
Experience facilitating Continuous Quality Improvement initiatives.
Experience providing staff training related to quality, compliance, or performance improvement.
Certification in Quality Improvement or Performance Excellence is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Monitors compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including funding and accreditation requirements (e.g., DMH, CARF, and NAEYC).
Performs audits, reviews, observations, and inspections of programs, documentation, and service delivery.
Tracks and reports audit findings, including trends, risks, strengths, and opportunities for improvement.
Maintains Quality Assurance tracking systems, databases, and related documentation.
Supports preparation for external audits, surveys, licensing reviews, and accreditation visits.
Conducts program evaluations and prepares summary reports.
Facilitates Continuous Quality Improvement initiatives using data analysis, root cause analysis, Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), and other performance improvement methodologies.
Partners with program leadership to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate corrective action and performance improvement plans.
Participates in program CQI meetings and provides quality-related guidance and recommendations.
Tracks corrective and preventive actions to ensure timely implementation and resolution.
Identifies systemic issues and recommends sustainable solutions to improve quality and compliance.
Conducts mock surveys and readiness assessments.
Supports the client satisfaction survey process, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Collaborates with the Staff Development Coach to implement continuous improvement initiatives and quality-related training.
Provides training, coaching, and technical assistance to staff regarding Quality Assurance processes, compliance standards, and CQI practices.
Collaborates with cross-functional teams to promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Serves as a resource for regulatory interpretation, best practices, and quality improvement strategies.
Performs other duties as assigned.