Summary:

The Quality Assurance Specialist will take the lead on overall quality assurance and quality enhancement activities including, licensing, certification, accreditation, policy development and review, and data collection and analysis and planning. The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for promoting rights and ensuring due process and for supporting the incident management systems designed to protect people from abuse, neglect, mistreatment and exploitation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Quality Assurance

o Consistently report to work on time as scheduled, prepared to perform assigned duties and responsibilities during entire scheduled work period/shift.

o Establish and chair a Quality Oversight Committee to meet at least quarterly.

o Oversee quality assurance and improvement throughout Adult Services including developing data collection tools, program evaluation, and data-based program decision-making and planning.

o Take the lead on developing annual DDA Quality Enhancement Plans. Monitor for progress throughout the year. Complete and submit year-end review and summary.

o Develop plans and oversight processes for ensuring successful transition to new DDA systems (EVV, LTSS, etc.)

o Develop monitoring systems to ensure the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of service delivery, documentation, and billing for waiver services and to ensure that services are person centered.

o Work with Adult Services Director during all external monitoring visits from licensing and certifying agencies and developing corrective action plans as required.

o Work with Adult Services Director and Program Analyst on relicensing and certification visits.

o Annually or as needed review and update Adult Services Policy Manual in collaboration with Adult Services Director and Compliance Department. Take

the lead on distributing to staff and developing training for all staff on changes and updates. Develop schedule for review with the Board Program and Risk Committee.

o Serve as a resource to staff for brainstorming individual issues related to quality of services.

o Serve as point person for the process of seeking external accreditation as needed.

o Represent Benedictine at regional Quality Enhancement meetings and other QA/QE groups in Maryland as requested by Adult Services Director.

Human Rights

o Participate as a member of the Standing Committee.

o Serve as a resource to staff concerning rights, restrictions, and due process.

o Liaise with DDA Psych Associates, Program Coordinators, and Benedictine nurses about behavior plans, medications supports, and other restrictive procedures.

o Review and make recommendations for behavior plans and medication supports.

o Develop, update and implement policies and procedures related to promoting rights, implementing restrictions, and ensuring due process in line with COMAR and DC DDS regulations.

o Ensure there are no blanket restrictions in Benedictine policies and procedures and make recommendations for changes and/or approval.

• Incident Management

o Work with Human Resources to ensure that all staff are trained in recognizing abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and exploitation, and procedures for reporting.

o Work with Compliance Department to review all incident reports, track and trend data, make recommendations for internal corrective action, and complete (or ensure completion of) follow-up as necessary.

o Collaborate with law enforcement, DDA, DC DDS, OHCQ, and other external regulatory or investigative agencies as it pertains to investigations of reported incidents.

o Work with Compliance Department and Adult Services Director to develop and submit corrective action plans to external regulators as needed and ensure implementation of plans.

o Develop, update and ensure implementation of policies and procedures related to incident management to comply with COMAR and DC DDS regulations.

Other Duties/Responsibilities:

• Work with Benedictine Adult Services Staff to implement recommendations and plans developed via external technical assistance as needed.

• Attend/participate in agency meetings, professional organization meetings, advocacy meetings and Benedictine meetings.

• Attend and successfully complete mandatory trainings and maintain job-specific certifications/licenses.

• Cooperate with Benedictine administration and in-state/out-of-state agencies in any inspection or investigation.

• Other duties, as assigned

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required, Master’s degree preferred.

• Must have a minimum three years of experience working with people with disabilities required. A combination of experience including direct support, coordination of services, and advocacy is preferred.

• Must have advanced knowledge of DDA regulations as they apply to Benedictine adult services.

• Must have expert level knowledge of incident management, as it relates to incidents of potential abuse and neglect of clients.

• Must be knowledgeable regarding CMS ruling on community integration.

• Must have demonstrated strength and effectiveness working in highly collaborative role.

• Must be proficient in basic computer skills with working knowledge of Therap electronic records system.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including presentation skills, required.

• Excellent organizational skills with work habits that facilitate results delivery required.

• Must demonstrate strong attention to detail, effective time management skills, and sense of urgency.

• Must be a minimum of 21 years old.

• Must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in US upon offer.

• Must pass pre-employment drug screen.

• Must pass pre-employment criminal background checks through CJIS as stated in Family Law Article 5-561, and pass pre-employment CPS check.

• (If applicable) If position requires driving, must have current and valid driver’s license in good standing and must have a driving record that would permit coverage under Benedictine driver’s insurance.

• Must be a strong advocate of the Benedictine mission to help children and adults with development disabilities achieve their greatest potential, and be motivated to contribute to the mission with pride and integrity.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift or push 50 lbs.

• Must be able to see clearly with ability to adjust focus

• Must have full range of motion in, arms, hands and fingers

• Must be able to speak and hear clearly