Quality Improvement Lead

Claratel Behavioral Health; Decatur (GA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Claratel Behavioral Health seeks a Quality Improvement Lead to oversee the agency-wide QI Plan and implement CQI processes aligned with DBHDD, CARF, and other accrediting bodies. The role supervises the QI Innovations team, guides CQI cycles, and ensures data-driven quality across clinical services and operations.

The position emphasizes collaboration with leadership, staff, and external reviewers, with potential hybrid work arrangements and travel to multiple sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Health, Public Administration, Psychology, or related field
• Three to Five years in a similar role in a human services or behavioral health organization

Responsibilities

• Directs projects and daily work of the Quality Improvement Innovations team in the absence of the Director of Quality Improvement
• Supervise and guide QI Specialist and ensure consistent implementation of operational processes
• Provide guidance and technical assistance regarding the CQI cycle to employees and stakeholders
• Monitor effectiveness of QI initiatives and report progress to leadership and stakeholders
• Review service guidelines and align services/workflows to support program goals
• Conduct ongoing quality checks and manage stakeholder feedback processes
• Suggest improvements to quality monitoring tools and processes
• Initiate internal quality improvement plans for opportunities
• Prepare external corrective action plans in response to audits
• Assist with accreditation, fidelity monitoring, and quality-focused reviews
• Engage in professional development and maintain role-specific certifications
• Support departmental projects to advance the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic plan

Job description

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT LEAD

The Quality Improvement Lead is an essential member of the Quality Improvement team, which oversees and operationalizes the agency-wide Quality Improvement (QI) Plan at DeKalb CSB dba Claratel Behavioral Health. Consistent with the agency’s commitment to improving client care through ongoing and systematic review of clinical services and business practices, the QI Specialist ensures that quality improvement efforts are person-centered, data-driven, systems-focused, and results-oriented. Under broad supervision by Director of Quality Improvement, the QI Lead ensures implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes, promotes engagement across all levels of the organization, and facilitates integration of quality assurance measures and performance indicators into daily operations. This position ensures alignment with regulatory and accreditation requirements, including those established by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), CARF International, NADD, and other governing authorities. Also, oversee progress of specials grants and projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• In the absence of the Director of Quality Improvement, directs projects and daily work of members of the Quality Improvement Innovations team.
• Supervise and provide direct guidance to QI Specialist and ensure consistent implementation of operational processes (i.e., manage productivity, team engagement, and reinforce organizational culture).
• Provide guidance and technical assistance regarding the CQI cycle to employees and other stakeholders who are direct participants in the QI program, as needed to address issues around quality and to increase understanding of program and service intent
• Monitors the effectiveness of QI initiatives and ensures ongoing reporting to QI program participants, agency leadership, and other stakeholders
• Systematically reviews service guidelines and works with program directors to align services and workflows to support the intent of services provided
• Conducts ongoing quality checks of programs and operations
• Manages stakeholder satisfaction survey and stakeholder feedback processes
• Provides ongoing suggestions regarding areas to improve quality monitoring processes and tools
• Initiates internal quality improvement plans for areas of opportunity
• Under general supervision, completes and submits external corrective action plans in response to external audits, reviews, and investigations
• Assists with preparation for accreditation, fidelity monitoring, and quality-focused reviews; and supports resulting quality improvement efforts, as assigned
• Engages in ongoing professional development and maintain role-specific certifications
• Assists with departmental projects, as needed, to support and promote the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic plan

PERFORMANCE METRICS

• 90% or greater or exemplary fidelity on quality reviews for assigned programs
• 86% or greater on annual state-required key performance metrics

SKILL, COMPETENCY AND EDUCATION AND/OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Health, Public Administration, Psychology, or related field
• Three to Five years in a similar role in a human services or behavioral health organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Service Degree, Public Administration, Counseling, Psychology, or related field
• Five or more years in a similar role in a human services or behavioral health organization
• Knowledge of the community behavioral health system, service guidelines, and regulations

INTER-RELATIONSHIPS:

Must be able to communicate effectively and assist management staff in articulating results from quality monitoring and quality improvement initiatives; Attend various inter-departmental meetings. Incumbent must be professional and personable exhibiting a willingness, enthusiasm, and commitment to improving the overall quality of service delivery and operations to benefit all users Claratel Behavioral Health.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The job is routinely 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in an office setting/field work; some non-traditional hours may be required occasionally to support implementations or external audit preparation; Travel to varies sites will be required to provide technical assistance, observation, and conduct internal quality reviews. This position may be eligible for consideration for a hybrid work arrangement under the telework policy.

NEEDED ATTRIBUTES:

Incumbent must possess a pleasant personality and exhibit enthusiasm in guiding improvement initiatives. Ability to work independently on projects and able to lead a team of peers; Ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects and meet strict deadlines; Incumbent must be a great team player and work together with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that tasks and projects are completed in the most effective and efficient way.Must be able to work under time constraints to ensure that projects are delivered within specified timeframes; Stakeholders should see this staff person as a valuable resource and not hesitate to ask for help. The ability to evaluate program/service delivery and operationalprocesses against quality indicators and service guidelines, write clearly, and speak before groups in a clear and understandable manner is a must; Must be comfortable using technology.

Pre-employment drug screening may be required. Selected applicant will be subject of an FBI Criminal History Record Check, and the applicant has the right to challenge the contents of their Criminal History Record Information, should they choose to do so. This employer participates in E-Verify.

For more information visit https://claratel.org/careers/

DeKalb CSB is an equal opportunity employer regarding disability under VEVRRA and ADA