We are seeking a Quality Improvement Specialist to conduct Agency investigations for incidents and allegations of abuse/neglect for Residential, Habilitation and Service Coordination Programs. A successful candidate will conduct general quality assurance and improvement activities including employee training. The Quality Improvement Specialist will make recommendations for improving program services and support.
The Quality Improvement Specialist works in a full time position. Position is based at a Buffalo office location.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Conducts formal investigations of Incidents, Abuse and Events/Occurrences. This includes: immediately interviewing employees, individuals served, and external parties in addition to gathering documentary, demonstrative, and physical evidence, fact finding and analyzing the evidence.
When necessary, contacts and/or consults with outside agencies, i.e. the Police Department, Child Protective Services, The Justice Center, or other organizations in order to obtain assistance with the completion of the investigation.
Provides verbal reports of the preliminary findings to designated program personnel and Incident Review Committee members as needed.
Prioritizes significant or sensitive cases to identify preliminary findings, i.e. employees on leave, physical or sexual abuse.
Completes formal written investigation reports for submission to the Incident Review Committee.
Makes recommendations for system or policy changes based on the findings of investigations that will assist the Agency in preventing a recurrence of similar situations.
Makes recommendations for corrective action to address any employee action(s) that may have caused and/or contributed to the incident or allegation that will assist the Agency in ensuring the continued health and safety of individuals.
Makes recommendations for actions related to the DSP Code of Ethics.
Ensures all investigative materials and testimonies are maintained in confidential files.
Ensures all investigative materials required for OPWDD upload into the VPCR are completed properly and in the order identified by OPWDD and The Justice Center.
Ensures all investigative materials are scanned into a PDF File once file is ready for upload.
Provides training and education to employees on topics related to the investigation process as needed.
Provides training at program sites as needed in accordance to current trending data.
Assists programs with improvement actions related to investigation recommendations.
Participates in quality improvement activities with programs as needed to assist with action plans for improvements.
Assists in resolving complaints of people being served and contacts program staff to resolve dissatisfaction. Maintains records of all contacts and activities.
Education and Experience
High School diploma with three years of directly related experience.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Working knowledge of OPWDD programs, procedures, and policies.
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.
Good oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
The ability to read and write case notes as well as understand written directions.
The ability to organize, plan and manage caseload with flexibility, dependability, discretion, and independent judgment in order to performing tasks in a timely and prompt manner.
Use of personal vehicle for work purposes.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
Walking, sitting, standing, driving, stooping, bending, carrying, stretching, and climbing stairs as well as the ability to perform all required movements required by the SCIP-R curriculum.
Lifting up to fifty (50) pounds.
Exercising independent judgment, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interacting with others, managing multiple tasks and coping with stressful situations and deadlines.
Working Conditions
May need to work outside normal business hours to conduct interviews and/or gather evidence necessary to complete investigations.
Local travel required approximately 50% of the time; use of personal vehicle required.
Participates in rotational after-hours, on-call coverage.