Quality Improvement Specialist

Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY: The Quality Improvement Specialist conducts internal evaluations of services to ensure quality care/services that fulfills all regulatory, funding agency, and internal standards. Performs assessments of all services and makes recommendations for improvement in all aspects of service delivery. Develops and implements policies for assuring compliance with all fire, health, safety, and security regulations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct internal evaluations as part of the Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability (IDD) Programs Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program with tasks including but not limited to auditing programmatic documentation, determining compliance of training of staff members providing service to an individual, reviewing individual finances for accuracy and accountability with individual inventories, evaluating whether medications and medication administration records accurately match the physician documented and Individual Support Plan reflected needs of the individual, physical site reviews, etc. to ensure that services are provided in accordance to expectations under the waiver and in line with expectations for high quality
• Audit Individual Support Plans by and documentation supporting the ISP in the home and submit findings to the Program Coordinator (PC) and Unit Director. For corrective action, as applicable, and information on the status of the quality of the provided program
• Self-initiate Quality Improvement (QI) projects including but not limited to additional training and mentoring of Program Coordinators and other personnel to aid in Elwyn New Jersey's on-going commitment to the delivery of exceptional services
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures, facility safety, and fire safety
• Attend committees and sub-committees meetings as assigned to work on projects, policy and procedure
• Report Quality Improvement needs including but not limited to improvements on the CQI tools and protocols as applicable in the homes to the Director of Quality Improvement for ongoing improvement of QI department tools and ability to enhance program outcomes
• Ensures documentation and reports including but not limited to CQI audits in order to meet all requirements of the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services/Division of Developmental Disabilities and Elwyn New Jersey
• Monitor on-going plans of execution of ISPs by reviewing daily documentation and staff training documentation and analyzing whether it is in concert with the needs of individuals supported to ensure that services of highest quality are provided
• Act as a resource to program staff for all questions regarding forms, policies, and protocols in regards to the annual program plan writing, implementation, revision, and training
• Maintain a current file of all regulatory standards and updates to review them and ensure an accurate and up to date understanding of regulations and in order to be able to utilize them for training and review as applicable
• Assist in preparing for surveys and hosting survey teams with tasks including but not limited to evaluating what is needed, identifying it for team members, and helping to collect documentation
• Complete and maintain current investigation specialist training to complete investigations
• Complete investigations as assigned by the Director or Associate Director of Quality Improvement Compliance and participate in completing assessments of investigations to ensure appropriateness and consistency by reviewing investigations with the Quality Improvement Compliance team
• Respond to requests such as needed collection of documentation and provide competent follow up on matters requiring additional attention such as specific training of a Program Coordinator
• Assist the team professionally communicate and work with individuals, families, legal guardians, representative payees, community service providers, etc. with tasks including but not limited to evaluating care needs through documentation review to ensure that individuals' needs are attended to by the team
• Work with, understand, and comply with terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements (CBA) within a unionized environment
• Maintain current state-mandated training and certifications
• Follow all current policies and procedures of Elwyn New Jersey
• Cooperate with Elwyn New Jersey and the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, or any other authorized investigating body during an inspection or investigation
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), crisis intervention, and medication administration using agency-trained protocols
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or graduate equivalency diploma; bachelor's degree preferred in the field of human services (e.g., psychology, sociology, counseling, public policy)
  
  • Directly relevant and equivalent years of experience in the field of Intellectual and Development Disabilities (IDD) service will be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree
  • A master's degree will be considered in lieu of the number of years beyond one
• Three (3) years of work experience including a combination of experience with individuals with disabilities, Quality Improvement; residential or day program
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements preferred
• Previous supervisory experience helpful
• Previous experience working within a unionized workforce preferred
• Non-profit human service experience highly preferred
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage and prioritize multiple, often competing, priorities
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent judgment with the ability to independently solve problems and make decisions with little or no need for direct supervision
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions
• Must be able to perform CPR and safe care using agency-trained protocols
• Experience using/knowledge of Electronic Health Record (EHR) / Electronic Medical Record (EMR) preferred
• Ability to work independently in a variety of environments and settings with a high degree of visibility
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated intermediate experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; report-writer experience preferred
• Must have current, valid driver's license in state of residence, three (3) years driving experience, and acceptable driving record

Must successfully complete/obtain and maintain all clearances and certifications as required by Elwyn NJ and regulatory agencies and must cooperate with the licensee and Division staff in any inspection or investigation. Equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the characteristics required to do the essential functions of the class may be substituted.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE: See Physical Demands Checklist below which represents the general physical demands and environment conditions to which the employee holding this position must meet, in addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Elwyn New Jersey will engage otherwise qualified candidates for this position whose disabilities may require reasonable accommodations to enable an individual to perform the essential functions.
Elwyn New Jersey reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as needed. This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive statement of duties and responsibilities of the job nor does it constitute a written or implied contract.
Elwyn New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Elwyn does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, pregnancy status, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, handicap status, marital or family status, mental or physical disability, perceived disability, military or veteran status, political activities or affiliations, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation.