Process Improvement Specialist

Conducts and provides general quality control, compliance, and quality improvement activities, through a review of agency processes and procedures. This includes participating in agency audits, self-survey and other activities that help identify those opportunities for improvement. Plays an integral role in the improvement process.

1. Completes Agency Self Survey and Fiscal Audits for assigned programs and contracts.
2. Makes recommendations for corrective action and coordinates follow-up internal surveys as necessary in response to internal and external survey concerns/deficiencies identified to ensure corrective actions were implemented. Provides consultation and assistance in the development of corrective action when needed.
3. Compiles and inputs Self Survey and Compliance Audits results into the Agency database.
4. Track and trend self-survey results.
5. Assist the Process Improvement Coordinator by obtaining corrective action when necessary.
6. Participates in Survey Exit Conferences when necessary and assists with response to survey recommendation, deficiency and/or Plan of Corrective Action.
7. Participate in the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Standing Committee.
8. Participates in the IRC, Safety and/or any other committee as assigned.
9. Participates in the development of quality improvement plans and/or provides compliance improvement training as needed or requested.
10. Maintains ongoing communication with Program Supervisors regarding any identified concerns with documentation. Monitors for supervisor’s response to any identified concerns.
11. Assist programs in completing statistical reports for contracts when necessary.
12. Participates in the implementation of the Agency Corporate Compliance Plan.
13. Assists with Quality Management activities as needed, including conducting investigations.
14. Remains current on all program rules, regulations, and requirements and updates tools as needed.
15. Manages and ensures organization of all program records, once organized the Process Improvement Specialist will schedule the move of the purged file boxes to 2425 Delaware.
16. Trains agency staff on how to organize program records according to the purge schedule and purge form.
17. Ensure files are properly secured and only released to authorized personnel.
18. Identifies missing records and assists in seeking lost or misplaced data to restore the file to a full record as needed.
19. Assists in preparing and pulling records for audits, on-site surveys, and/or for other records requests.
20. Coordinates efforts for maintaining the Archive Rooms for Residential, Habilitation and Service Coordination.
21. Conducts unannounced visits at various program settings.
22. Educates and trains program Managers and staff during the Self Survey process.
23. Tracks Residential fire drills to ensure Agency policy and regulations are being followed quarterly and follows up as needed.
24. Monitors the outcome of certification and other external surveys, as well as the corrective action to any issues identified.
25. Attends DQI survey exit conferences as needed.

Requirements

1. Education and Experience

a. High School diploma with one year of directly related experience

2. Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

a. Working knowledge of OPWDD programs, procedures and policies.

b. Familiarity with N.Y.S. Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and Erie County Department of Mental Health Rules and Regulations appropriate to Quality Assurance.

c. Good oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.

d. The ability to read and write case notes as well as understand written directions.

e. The ability to organize and plan with flexibility, dependability, discretion, and independent judgment in order to perform tasks in a timely and prompt manner.

3. Certifications:

a. Observe a SCIP-R full training, not required to become certified.

4. Use of personal vehicle for work purposes, travel between work sites.
5. Physical and Mental Requirements:

a. Walking, sitting, standing, driving, stooping, bending, carrying, stretching.

b. Exercising independent judgment, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interacting with others, managing multiple tasks and coping with stressful situations and deadlines.

c. Staying awake and alert while on duty.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. May need to work outside normal business hours to conduct interviews and/or gather evidence necessary to complete investigations.
2. Local travel required approximately 50% of the time; use of personal vehicle required.
3. Participates in rotational after-hours, on-call coverage.