Quality Improvement Specialist

Description

SUMMARY    

Under general supervision, is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, trending and investigating injuries of unknown origin, non-reportable incidents and other quality improvement/investigative tasks as designated. Additionally, this role supports the incident investigators with data entry into New York States Incident Reporting applications.  

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 The duties and responsibilities of the Quality Improvement Specialist will include, but are not limited to the following:   

• Conducting reviews and as needed, investigations into injuries of unknown origins, falls and other agency designated situations as assigned. 
• Assists in creating safeguards, recommendations and/or corrective actions for assigned investigations with the intent of rectifying and preventing future occurrences.    
• Compiles and trends data related to the investigations as needed
• Provide administrative support to the Compliance department, such as preparing/ documenting meeting minutes and other relevant records. 
• Assist with management and tracking of information in OPWDD’s IRMA database and interface with the Justice Center to ensure incident closure 
• Assists the Compliance department with notification of incidents, which includes collection of initial paperwork and entering required information within regulatory timeframes.  
• Assists in completion of required Justice Center target letters, submission of SCR target searches, and submission forms for Investigative Records for Abuse and Neglect Allegations as designated  
• Performs other administrative duties as assigned.    

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Ability to write, speak, and understand English fluently.    
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required in order to interact effectively with employees, co-workers, and other departments. Due to the sensitive nature of the position, must be able to maintain the strictest confidentiality.    
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.    
• Fully conversant with OPWDD and agency selected computer software programs.    
• Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills.    
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.    
• Excellent presentation and teaching skills.    
• Frequent traveling to and between program locations.   
• May require evening and weekend work.     

 EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE    

• At least 1 year of experience in OPWDD or Human Services related field preferred but not required  
• Associate’s degree in a Human Services Related field preferred but not required    

LANGUAGE SKILLS    Ability to read, write, speak and understand English. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret reports and documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries, concerns or complaints from employees and customers. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.    

 MATHEMATICAL SKILLS    Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Basic understanding of statistics.    

 REASONING ABILITY    Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to resolve conflicts and mediate stressful situations.      

PHYSICAL DEMANDS      The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.      

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.     

WORK ENVIRONMENT      The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.