Quality Assurance Spec II

Texas Health and Human Services; Big Spring (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist II at Big Spring State Hospital to lead complex quality management within a psychiatric setting. You will develop and monitor hospital-wide QM programs, ensure TJC and CMS compliance, and report to committees.

The role requires strong data skills, policy knowledge, and the ability to guide staff. Responsibilities include coordinating QM initiatives (QSO, UM, FSPI), auditing, trend analysis, and supporting COOP activation.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with major coursework in social services, nursing, psychology, or related field and at least six months experience.
• Associate degree and a minimum of twenty-four months experience required.
• No degree and a minimum of four years of experience required.
• Two years of experience in social services, psychiatric/health care, auditing or investigating work; and developing plans of correction.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, developing, and implementing departmental and hospital-wide Quality Management programs.
• Ensure compliance with The Joint Commission and CMS standards; guide staff and external stakeholders.
• Review policies and educate on organizational, statutory, and accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate QM programs including QSO, UM, FSPI and other initiatives; develop improvement plans.
• Compile monthly samples, audits, data entry, aggregate data, and reports with trend analyses.
• Act as data oversight coordinator for QAPI indicators; monitor documentation and incidents.
• Oversee submission of reports to Hospital Executive Committee and governing bodies.
• Prepare and distribute correspondence; maintain records management systems.
• Complete other audit assignments including TJC monitoring and improvement projects.
• Support disaster response or COOP activation with flexible shifts as needed.

Skills

Legal knowledge

TJC/CMS standards

Statistics

Interviewing

Computer skills

Quality improvement

Problem solving

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor-level degree in social services, nursing, psychology, or related field

Associate degree with 24+ months experience

No degree with 4+ years experience

Two years in social services/psychiatric health care or auditing with plans of correction

Tools

Data analysis software

Policy management systems

Job description

Overview

Quality Assurance Specialist II (Quality Management Specialist) located at Big Spring State Hospital in Big Spring, TX. The role performs complex, journey‑level quality management work within a psychiatric hospital setting, supporting compliance with The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services standards and leading department and hospital‑wide Quality Management programs.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, developing, and implementing departmental and hospital‑wide Quality Management (QM) programs, including policy, Quality System Oversight (QSO) monitoring, restraint/seclusion processes, and other performance improvement activities.
• Ensure compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Work with department and agency staff and external stakeholders to provide guidance as requested.
• Review hospital policies, prepare and disseminate information to policy managers, and provide education on organizational, statutory requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Coordinate quality improvement and monitoring programs such as QSO, Utilization Management (UM), Facility Support Performance Improvement (FSPI), and other assigned initiatives. Independently complete all aspects of the process and develop performance improvement plans.
• Compile monthly samples, update and distribute audits, complete data entry, aggregate data, and compile reports and trend analyses. Communicate regularly with Central Administration program coordinators.
• Serve as the data oversight coordinator for assigned Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) indicators (e.g., restraint/seclusion, injuries/falls, Length of Stay (LOS), national benchmarks, patient tracers). Monitor documentation and track incidents, compile committee meeting agendas, and provide reports to hospital committees and Governing Body.
• Oversee submission of reports to the Hospital Executive Committee and appropriate state hospital system governing committees.
• Prepare, edit, and distribute correspondence, reports, and documents; maintain filing and records management systems.
• Complete other audit assignments as needed, including TJC monitoring and performance improvement projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including disaster response or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.
• Work under general supervision with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgement. Potential eligibility for additional pay on evenings, nights, and weekends.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area.
• Knowledge of TJC and CMS standards.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis processes, research techniques, training techniques, and project management processes.
• Skills in interviewing and analyzing data.
• Skills in the use of computer and applicable software.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and administer quality improvement programs.
• Ability to identify problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to provide guidance to others.

Initial Screening Criteria

• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with major coursework in social services, nursing, psychology, or a related field and a minimum of six months experience.
• Associate degree and a minimum of twenty‑four months experience required.
• No degree and a minimum of four years of experience required.
• AND
  • Two years of experience in social services, psychiatric/health care, auditing or investigating work; and developing plans of correction.

Additional Information

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18‑25 must be registered with the Selective Service. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state‑operated facility; Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age. Flexibility in work hours may be required, and overtime or extended hours may apply. Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required; employees must be vaccinated according to level of contact with individuals. For influenza, non‑immunized individuals may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.