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Becoming part of the Sweetser family means you can make a difference in the lives of Maine children, adults, and families every day. As a nationally recognized and accredited leader, we offer competitive salaries, a wide range of benefits and the opportunity to join a passionate team of more than 700 employees. 

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The Quality Improvement Specialist (Clinical) is responsible to review, monitor, and educate Sweetser staff on, and consult on development of clinical processes and documentation practices in order to ensure that medical necessity and appropriate, quality care is present and documented for all client services provided by Sweetser and its Affiliates. The Quality Improvement Specialist (Clinical) is responsible for driving continuous quality improvement in both processes and outcomes. The Quality Improvement Specialist (Clinical) will also support the Director of Quality in managing elements of agency risk and helping to ensure quality outcomes through case reviews of critical incidents.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts qualitative reviews of affiliates’ client charts and provides feedback to the affiliate provider and key agency staff to ensure that the qualitative elements of medical necessity, service planning, and provision of clinical services are present and are properly performed and documented.
• Provides training to new staff in NEO on clinical documentation (Golden Thread), qualitative elements of clinical documentation practices and forms, and conducts follow-up reviews of client charts of newly trained clinical staff.
• Assists in the development of instructional materials and programs on qualitative elements of clinical documentation; assists with other related trainings for Sweetser staff/affiliates.
• As requested, participates in workgroups and brainstorming sessions that relate to improving in clinical documentation practices and forms, which may include regular attendance at the electronic health record workgroup sessions and occasional attendance at meetings of program directors.
• Facilitates case reviews and development of practice improvement plans for critical incidents.
• Reports critical incident data quarterly to the Director of Quality and recommends strategies and interventions that decrease the likelihood of a reoccurrence.
• Facilitates critical incident reporting to Kepro and EIS systems, and acts as the liaison between OBH and Program leadership if additional information is needed.
• Consults on development or revision of forms, practices and procedures for qualitative aspects of clinical documentation and related reviews of client charts.
• Supports the Director of Quality in setting goals and developing policies relative to qualitative aspects of clinical documentation forms and practices and relative to performance and results of qualitative reviews of client charts.
• Maintains familiarity with licensing and accreditation standards applicable to qualitative aspects of clinical documentation forms and practices.
• Helps Identify problems and participates in process improvement to improve client and programmatic outcomes.
• Understand and uses process improvement tools such as Fishbone Diagnosis, Failure Model and Effect Analysis and Process mapping/flow charts.
• Produces management reports and evaluates client satisfaction data.
• Identifies high risk and problem prone areas for the organization, recommends strategies to address and/or participating in work groups to brainstorm solutions.
• Maintains a collaborative environment that fosters and supports creative solutions and continuous improvement.
• Monitors and evaluates change in program performance data, identifying differences and proposing solutions for needed corrective action.
• Assists in the implementation of strategies and new processes to improve outcomes.

  GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Be committed to the mission, vision and values of the organization.
• Work collaboratively as a member of a team with various groups of staff, depending on the issue addressed.
• Assure quality in work performed to facilitate the delivery of quality services.
• Promotes a continuous quality improvement culture and atmosphere
• Follow Suicide safer care practices.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Adheres to the 5 Basic Principles.
• Support and recognize the important role volunteer’s play.  Sweetser employees work with, support, collaborate with volunteers, and promote opportunities for volunteer engagement.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Customer Focus Competency

• Anticipates customer needs and is responsive to customer feedback by taking action to make things better.
• Treats others with courtesy and respect, projecting an approachable manner at all times.
• Meets needs of customers thru reliable work attendance and completion of job duties. Arrives to work and meetings on time; returns from breaks and lunch at designated time.
• Works with, supports, collaborate with volunteers and interns, and promote opportunities for volunteer and intern engagement.
• Maintains professional boundaries with all clients, co-workers, visitors, and community partners.
• Shares responsibility by taking initiative to assist coworkers.

Team Orientation Competency

• Maintains confidentiality in client, family, and personal communications.
• Expresses ideas professionally, clearly, and concisely both verbally and in writing, without the use offensive language.
• Shares appropriate information necessary for team members (departmental and interdepartmental) to effectively plan, anticipate, and be proactive participants in the service provided.
• Communicates with individuals about issues as they arise, in a direct and timely manner that is positive and builds trust and confidence in the organization. Expresses disagreement constructively.
• Maintains alignment and collaboration with leadership and coworkers through respectful communication by providing consistent and coordinated messages.

Quality Competency

• Identifies, supports, and participates in continuous quality improvement activities by developing or participating in strategies to improve processes.
• Assesses problems and evaluates options by considering available resources, implications, and consequences.
• Uses the plan, do, check, act strategy to meet quality outcomes.
• Approaches tasks with diligence, timeliness, and attention to detail.
• Maintains alignment with team, supervisory, and management goals, objectives, and direction of the organization.
• Identifies ways to be fiscally efficient while supporting quality service and mission attainment.
• Enhances quality performance by participating in professional training and development opportunities.

Safety Competency

• Adheres to safety procedures and works to prevent accidents and injuries, including good ergonomic practices.  Reports accidents, injuries, or emergencies to Supervisor and Human Resources within 48 hours.
• Maintains a professional appearance and is attired to support safe completion of assigned duties; utilizes personal protective equipment/safety devices to prevent injury. 
• Demonstrates good housekeeping practices, helping to maintain the professional appearance and safety of facilities, to ensure they are easily and safely accessible.  Returns all equipment to its proper place and cleans work areas promptly.
• Notifies facilities staff as appropriate of safety issues needing to be addressed.
• Wears and displays identification badge in Sweetser facilities and as appropriate when working in the community.  Approaches individuals not displaying Sweetser identification, offering assistance and escorting them to their destination whenever possible.

5 Basic Principles Standard

• Focus on the situation, issue or behavior, not on the person.
• Maintain the self-confidence and self-esteem of others.
• Maintain constructive relationships.
• Take Initiative to make things better.
• Lead by example.

EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Education or related discipline is required

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Valid state driver’s license.
• LCSW, LCPC, or LMFT licensures are preferred

  EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in providing clinical mental health treatment.

  KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to review clinical charts and provide feedback to Sweetser providers in documenting qualitative aspects of clinical documentation.
• Ability to utilize technology and master the ECR.
• Ability to train Sweetser staff in qualitative aspects of clinical documentation.
• Ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams and staff.

Ability to communicate process improvements to program supervisors.