Quality Assurance Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Corpus Christi, TX

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

Performs advanced (senior-level) quality assurance work to ensure that the service systems meet certain standards by surveilling a range of indicators thereby enabling the identification of areas needing correction and improvement to meet desired levels of performance. Implements the goals and priorities for the Quality Improvement department. Conducts audits, surveys and content-specific compliance reviews to determine the center’s level of compliance with certification requirements, standards, laws, rules, policies and procedures. Reviews policy and procedures for compliance with applicable laws, regulations and other policies and provides consultation, technical assistance and monitors compliance with standards. Prepares detailed reports of findings with recommendations. Contributes to the Center’s data surveillance system, by retrieving, tracking, validating and trending data, and assisting others with data collection, monitoring, analysis, and reporting. Coordinates activities related to internal and external reviews. Participate in the development and submission of a plan of correction (POC) for all deficiencies cited by HHSC-Regulatory and completes assigned tasks related to POCs. Presents the evidence to the surveyors upon their return visit, as assigned. Assists others with quality improvement plans. Participate in the Center’s QA/QI Council and other work groups as assigned. Mentors and trains new Quality Assurance Specialists as assigned. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Work schedule may vary in order to complete audits, surveys, and special projects.

Requirements

• Knowledge of ICF/IID Standards, interpretive guidelines and survey process.
• Knowledge of state and federal standards, laws and regulations pertinent to the facility, including ICF/IDD standards and the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), HHSC rules and regulations, or the ability to develop this knowledge.
• Knowledge of how to use tools such as pivot tables, scatter charts, wishbone diagrams, histograms and pareto charts to effectively communicate data.
• Knowledge of basic quality improvement concepts and terminology.
• Knowledge of the individual support plans including active treatment, interdisciplinary team processes, health and safety issues.
• Skill in defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, conducting root cause/contributory factor analysis.
• Skill in using computers and agency/facility software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Skill in helping others to define complex problems.
• Ability to write or participate in writing policies/guidelines to ensure facility compliance with applicable standards.
• Ability to train staff, including training and mentoring new Quality Assurance Specialists.
• Ability to gather, assemble, and analyze data for trend analysis.
• Ability to effectively facilitate work groups and meetings.
• Ability to communicate effectively to provide program consultation and conduct training sessions.
• Ability to manage time with latitude for independent judgment.
• Ability to manage time, resources, and workload independently and efficiently.
• Ability to be flexible and independent in responding to departmental needs.
• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferred; and Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or experience in performing compliance reviews, surveys, inspections, or audits.
• Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Conducts audits, surveys and content-specific compliance reviews to determine the center’s level of compliance with certification requirements, standards, laws, rules, policies and procedures.
• Reviews the work of department heads on the results of quality improvement plans.
• Provides consultation/interpretation of rules and standards for use in program planning and evaluation.
• Provides technical assistance, support, and training to department heads and other staff assigned to program compliance and quality improvement work in the use of QI tools, data analysis, and monitoring/auditing.
• Contributes to the Center’s data surveillance system, following standard procedure to retrieve, track, validate and trend data.
• Implements the goals and priorities for the Quality Improvement department including promoting a culture of quality by fostering a blame-free, inquisitive environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and psychological safety.
• Coordinates activities related to investigations and surveys by HHSC Regulatory for recertification, incidents and complaints, including collecting data and disseminating information before surveys and assisting surveyors/auditors during the survey process.
• Participate in the Center’s QA/QI Council which sets priorities, establishes goals and monitors the progress of performance improvement activities.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees