Quality Support Specialist

Wallowacountychamber; Oregon, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PTO

Care discounts

403(b) retirement

Life Flight Coverage

Job summary

Winding Waters Clinic in Oregon is seeking a Quality Support Specialist to transform clinical data into high-quality care, applying Lean/Six Sigma to improve workflows, patient access, and outcomes across our rural clinic network.

You will collaborate with clinicians, administrative teams, and leadership to implement evidence-based protocols, monitor quality metrics, and lead continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining HIPAA compliance, patient confidentiality, and a compassionate

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in a related field.
• Proficiency with EHR systems (Epic preferred) and MS Office/Google Suite.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, A3, or PDSA methodologies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in FQHC or rural primary care setting preferred.
• Experience with Epic Reporting Workbench, Slicer Dicer, or Signal preferred.
• Familiarity with PCPCH/NCQA, and CCO/UDS metrics.

Responsibilities

• Drive QA and clinical standards across patient settings.
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to reduce wait times and improve access.
• Audit and optimize clinical workflows, MA competencies, and EHR triage.
• Represent Winding Waters in meetings and align with community partners.
• Monitor compliance metrics and support HIPAA and risk mitigation.
• Develop staff education on MA workflows and patient experience improvements.

Skills

Systems Thinker

Data-Driven Problem Solver

Collaborative Educator

Compliance Champion

Education

Associate's Degree or higher

Tools

Epic EHR

Slicer Dicer

Signal

Microsoft Office

Google Cloud

Job description

Job Title: Quality Support Specialist

Location: Wallowa County, Oregon

Reports To: Chief Operations Officer

Status: Full-time

Are you passionate about turning clinical data into high-quality care that changes lives? Do you want to be the operational catalyst that helps our healthcare teams deliver seamless, top-tier care across our rural community?

Winding Waters Clinic is looking for a proactive, collaborative, and analytical Quality Support Specialist to join our mission. In this dynamic role, you will work hand-in-hand with clinical providers, administrative teams, and leadership to harness Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, optimize patient workflows, and ensure operational excellence across all our clinic locations.

About Winding Waters

We are a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and Patient-Centered Primary Care Home (PCPCH) dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our rural communities in Wallowa County. We believe in Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment. When you join us, you join a supportive, team-based environment committed to high-quality, compassionate care and continuous quality improvement.

Who You Are

• The Systems Thinker & Innovator: You love taking complex clinical workflows, breaking them down into clear steps, and applying Lean/Six Sigma principles to make care faster, safer, and better for everyone.
• The Data-Driven Problem Solver: You thrive on navigating Epic EHR, Slicer Dicer, and Signal to uncover insights, track outcomes, and build audit-ready quality systems.
• The Collaborative Educator: You enjoy building relationships with MAs, providers, and community partners, delivering clear guidance, and empowering teams to embrace new habits.
• The Compliance Champion: You maintain a high standard for detail, confidentiality, HIPAA compliance, and accreditation standards without losing sight of patient empathy.

What You Will Do

As the engine driving our quality initiatives, you will champion operational efficiency and clinical excellence across five core impact areas:

1. Drive Quality Assurance & Clinical Standards

   • Care Standards: Support the hardwiring of evidence-based clinical protocols and best practices to ensure seamless care across all patient settings.
   • Materials & Supply Chain QA: Conduct inventory audits, right-size supply stocking, oversee Medical Assistant (MA) Surgicare workflows and scanner operations, and manage exam room stocking systems so providers always have what they need.
   • Laboratory Protocol Excellence: Assure strict specimen collection, storage, transport, and billing/payor coding protocols across Labcorp DX/Link. Perform monthly QC on point-of-care lab equipment and maintain audit-ready logs.
   • Clinical Workflow Auditing: Build and pilot point-of-service preference lists, evaluate MA competencies, and audit EHR in-basket messaging triage (telephone/MyChart) to keep patient communication responsive.

2. Lead Continuous Quality Improvement (Lean / Six Sigma)

   • Process Optimization: Utilize Lean and Six Sigma frameworks (DMAIC, A3 problem-solving, PDSA rapid-improvement cycles) to eliminate bottlenecks, cut patient wait times, and enhance care access.
   • Cross-Organizational Efficiency: Partner with regional medical partners (e.g., Wallowa Memorial Hospital) to streamline imaging/lab order workflows, minimize urgent messaging, and expand Care Everywhere Outside Messaging tools.
   • Sustainment: Monitor completed QI projects to ensure process improvements become permanent, standardized operational habits.

3. Community & Inter-Agency Alignment

   • Represent Winding Waters in professional meetings and community huddles to build strong stakeholder relationships.
   • Partner with Winding Waters Public Health, local hospital systems, and regional providers to elevate broader population health initiatives.

4. Accreditation, Governance & Risk Mitigation

   • Governance & Operations: Participate in monthly operational and quality huddles (Med, Dental, Mental Health, Pharmacy, Therapy) and conduct monthly rounding with the Chief Operations Officer.
   • Accreditation & Metrics: Monitor and report on key compliance metrics, including CCO, APCM, UDS, PCPCH, NCQA certifications, and MIPS/MACRA attestation.
   • Risk Management & HIPAA: Active member of the HIPAA Committee; participate in biannual internal audits and support peer reviews, incident response, and patient complaint resolutions.

5. Staff Empowerment & Patient Experience

   • Develop and deliver engaging staff education on MA competencies and workflows.
   • Audit patient experience metrics, champion language access for written materials, and ensure patient education tools are accessible and impactful.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate's Degree or higher.
• EHR & Software Fluency: High proficiency with Electronic Health Record systems (OCHIN Epic preferred) and Microsoft Office / Google Cloud suites.
• Quality Methodology: Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, A3 problem-solving, or PDSA cycle frameworks.
• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal presence.
• Confidentiality: Absolute commitment to maintaining strict HIPAA and PHI privacy standards.
• Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or rural primary care clinic setting preferred.
• Experience with Epic Reporting Workbench, Slicer Dicer, or Signal software tools preferred.
• Familiarity with CCO/UDS metrics, PCPCH/NCQA standards, and materials management systems preferred.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Full-time position operating within rural primary care clinical environments.
• Ability to work at least 8-hour days at a computer workstation and in clinical settings.
• Mobility to move efficiently throughout clinic facilities.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and tolerate potential exposure to germs or high-stress patient situations under standard safety protocols.

Why Join Our Team?

Make a direct, visible impact on the health and quality of care in Wallowa County while growing your leadership career in a supportive LEAN learning environment!

Compensation & Benefits

• Wage: $20-28 per hour (commensurate with experience).
• Comprehensive Benefits Package:
  • Employee health insurance 100% paid by Winding Waters
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Medical, dental, and mental health care discounts
  • 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% match
  • Life Flight Coverage

Equal Opportunity Employer

Winding Waters Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.