MENTAL HEALTH QUALITY ASSURANCE LEAD

Internal Careers; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick time

Parental leave

Insurance plan

Retirement program

Wellness program

Transit subsidy

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) seeks an experienced Mental Health Quality Assurance Lead to strengthen mental health care across Arizona’s state prisons. As a lead, you will serve as a subject matter expert, guiding colleagues on QA expectations and best practices without direct supervision.

You will partner with agency teams and contracted providers to review data, identify trends, investigate root causes, and implement lasting improvements across nine

Qualifications

• Experience implementing QA programs in behavioral health.
• Knowledge of correctional health care regulations and standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Train staff on QA standards, procedures, and quality measures.
• Collaborate with providers to review data and identify trends.
• Investigate root causes and implement lasting improvements.
• Develop monitoring tools, guides, and standardized procedures.
• Monitor compliance with health manuals and standards across facilities.

Skills

Mental health treatment in correctiona

Quality assurance

Data analysis

Verbal and written communications

Project coordination

Education

Master’s degree in mental health

Arizona License (Board of Behavioral Health Examiner)

CCHP (preferred)

Job description

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,

REHABILIATION & REENTRY

Our mission is to enhance public safety across Arizona through modern, effective correctional practices and meaningful engagements.
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) is committed to creating a safe, secure, and humane correctional system. With public safety top of mind, ADCRR and its more than 8,000 officers and professional staff are driven by a heart for public service and a commitment to deliver perfect effort each day. ADCRR is redefining itself as an agency whose daily work centers on transparency, accountability, and fairness.

MENTAL HEALTH QUALITY ASSURANCE LEAD

Job Location:

Address:

Health Care Services
801 E. Jefferson
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
https://corrections.az.gov/

Posting Details:

Salary: $85,000.00

Grade: 23

Closing Date: 11/13/2026

Job Summary:

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) is seeking an experienced Mental Health Quality Assurance Lead to strengthen mental health care across Arizona’s state prisons. As a lead, you won’t directly supervise staff, but you will serve as a subject matter expert, helping colleagues understand quality assurance expectations, sharing best practices, and supporting consistent, effective processes.

Partner with agency teams and contracted health care providers to review data, identify trends, investigate root causes, and turn findings into lasting improvements. You’ll help advance monitoring and reporting programs, support staff development, and promote high-quality care across nine prison complexes. Bring your expertise to work with purpose and help make a meaningful difference.

Job Duties:

• Train and guide staff on job expectations, procedures, and quality standards
• Resolve customer questions and provide timely, dependable support
• Coach staff in meeting quality assurance program objectives
• Evaluate staff performance and present findings to the Quality Assurance Director
• Facilitate meetings with staff, stakeholders, and partners
• Coordinate vendor oversight and healthcare operations across multiple state prison complexes
• Develop monitoring tools, guides, and standardized work procedures
• Build and maintain databases, conduct root cause analyses, and partner with contracted healthcare providers and Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Operations to implement and sustain improvements
• Analyze data, identify trends, and present actionable findings to stakeholders
• Develop methods to identify and assess errors, risks, and system issues
• Maintain reporting systems for preventable adverse events and other key performance measures
• Escalate concerns through the supervisory chain of command and coordinate timely resolution
• Strengthen ongoing monitoring of contracted healthcare providers and advance sustainable quality improvement initiatives
• Monitor compliance with Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Health Services Technical Manuals, National Commission on Correctional Health Care standards, and federal court injunctions
• Advance Continued Quality Improvement studies across all nine state prison complexes
• Participate in required meetings and training
• Lead or contribute to special projects and assignments
• Carry out additional duties as assigned by the Arizona Department of Corrections Medical Director
• Perform other position-related duties as assigned
• Travel to state facilities and other locations for official business

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of mental health treatment in a correctional setting
• Quality assurance and utilization review methodology
• Basic procedure analysis and policy development
• Research and patient methodology
• Basic computer skills
• Laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to the assignment

Skill in:

• Assessment, research and analysis
• Interviewing
• Investigation
• Verbal and written communications
• Synthesizing and presenting information in support of project objections
• Organization
• Time management
• Decision making

Ability to:

• Evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of healthcare services
• Conduct research and compose responses to issues/concerns
• Compose correspondence and reports
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external entities
• Multi-task, make sound decisions and meet deadlines
• Work in a secured prison environment
• Travel on state business

Selective Preference(s):

• Three (3) years experience providing mental health treatment services to incarcerated individuals
• Master’s degree or higher in a mental health related field
• Current Arizona License by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiner
• Certified Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP)

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation. In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

We offer an excellent and affordable comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees:

• Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
• Exceptional retirement program
• Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
• An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
  • Current ADCRR Employees: Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.