What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance Coordinator position at Northwest Passage?
Quality Assurance Coordinator - Full-Time
About Us:
At Northwest Passage, we focus on mental health and wellness through the adoption of our PassageWay Elements: Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit. These elements are central to our approach, combining traditional mental health treatment with arts, education, nature-based therapy, and experiential opportunities. Since 1978, we've been dedicated to providing high-quality care in a community dedicated in hope, recovery, and wellness. Our facilities in Northwest Wisconsin offer a peaceful environment for our clients and staff, with easy access to activities and resources near Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Eau Claire.
Northwest Passage proudly serves individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and we are committed to providing an environment where all feel welcomed and supported. Northwest Passage looks to build our team with candidates who demonstrate resilience, determination, collaboration, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. At Northwest Passage, you will foster hope through your involvement in the healing process. Guided by the PassageWay Elements, we strive to create a positive environment for growth and wellness for both our clients and staff.
Position Description:
The Quality Assurance Coordinator is responsible for supporting compliance with accreditation standards, state licensing requirements, HIPAA, PHI, FERPA, and other regulatory guidelines, while assisting in continuous quality improvement efforts supporting both Residential and Community-Based Services requirements. This role focuses heavily on using data and analytics to monitor performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement actions that impact client outcomes.
This position reports to the Director of Residential Services and supports Program Directors and Staff. The Coordinator provides guidance, data insights, and assistance with compliance tasks. Additionally, the Coordinator will assist with special projects as assigned to enhance organizational effectiveness.
Responsibilities:
Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation
About Us:
At Northwest Passage, we focus on mental health and wellness through the adoption of our PassageWay Elements: Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit. These elements are central to our approach, combining traditional mental health treatment with arts, education, nature-based therapy, and experiential opportunities. Since 1978, we've been dedicated to providing high-quality care in a community dedicated in hope, recovery, and wellness. Our facilities in Northwest Wisconsin offer a peaceful environment for our clients and staff, with easy access to activities and resources near Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Eau Claire.
Northwest Passage proudly serves individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and we are committed to providing an environment where all feel welcomed and supported. Northwest Passage looks to build our team with candidates who demonstrate resilience, determination, collaboration, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. At Northwest Passage, you will foster hope through your involvement in the healing process. Guided by the PassageWay Elements, we strive to create a positive environment for growth and wellness for both our clients and staff.
Position Description:
The Quality Assurance Coordinator is responsible for supporting compliance with accreditation standards, state licensing requirements, HIPAA, PHI, FERPA, and other regulatory guidelines, while assisting in continuous quality improvement efforts supporting both Residential and Community-Based Services requirements. This role focuses heavily on using data and analytics to monitor performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement actions that impact client outcomes.
This position reports to the Director of Residential Services and supports Program Directors and Staff. The Coordinator provides guidance, data insights, and assistance with compliance tasks. Additionally, the Coordinator will assist with special projects as assigned to enhance organizational effectiveness.
Responsibilities:
Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation
- Support the preparation and coordination of accreditation surveys, state inspections, and compliance audits for Residential and Community-Based Programs.
- Assist in developing and maintaining policies and procedures to meet regulatory and licensing requirements.
- Ensure compliance with HIPAA, PHI, FERPA, and other privacy regulations to protect client confidentiality and maintain privacy standards.
- Ensure compliance with client rights standards.
- Stay current on regulatory changes and ensure updates are communicated and implemented across programs.
- Provide guidance on licensing requirements such as DCF 52 and DHS 35, and accreditation standards such as COA, and Cognia.
- Educate staff on compliance-related topics, including confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and documentation requirements.
Incident Management and Risk Mitigation
- Assist with critical incident reporting processes, including documentation, investigation, and follow-up.
- Serve as the Client Rights Specialist, investigating grievances, working to resolve complaints, and offering consultation to staff.
- Support the development and tracking of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) to address identified risks.
- Conduct root cause analysis for incidents and collaborate with program leadership on risk mitigation strategies.
- Facilitate internal audits and ensure findings are addressed in a timely manner.
Data Analysis and Quality Improvement
- Collect, analyze, and report on key performance indicators related to compliance, quality, and client outcomes.
- Create dashboards and reports to provide actionable insights to leadership and program staff.
- Use data to identify trends, inform decision-making, and drive quality improvement initiatives.
- Oversee client satisfaction surveys and analyze feedback to identify improvement opportunities.
- Collaborate with program leadership to implement action plans based on client feedback and performance data.
- Ensure accurate billing practices, Medicaid/Insurance compliance, and contract adherence.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Healthcare Administration, or a related field (preferred).
- Experience with regulatory compliance, licensing, and accreditation processes.
- Knowledge of quality improvement frameworks.
- Familiarity with Department of Children and Families and Department of Health and Human Services regulatory landscape.
- Ability to translate data insights into actionable quality improvement plans.
Key Skills and Competencies:
- Strong project management skills with a focus on driving results.
- Comprehensive understanding of compliance and licensing requirements in behavioral health.
- Knowledge of HIPAA, PHI, and FERPA regulations.
- Experience with incident reporting and assisting in Corrective Action Plans (CAPs).
- Familiarity with accreditation standards such as Council on Accreditation, CARF or Joint Commission.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools, with strong Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Strong facilitation skills for meetings, training sessions, and audits.
- Analytical skills to interpret data and translate findings into actionable insights.
- High degree of accountability and follow-through to ensure compliance and project completion.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Values:
In addition to responsibilities and qualifications, ideal candidates will show an understanding of and an ongoing dedication to actively applying Northwest Passage’s values, which are embedded into each role:
- Quality & Adaptability
- Respect & Compassion
- Leadership & Courage
- Connection & Well-being
Benefits of the Position:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Retirement Savings
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (mental health benefit)
- Longevity Benefit
- Voluntary Group Ancillary Offerings (Life and AD&D, Long-Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance)
- Relocation Assistance
Location:
This is a hybrid remote position, with time spent on-site at our Frederic, Webster, and New Richmond, WI locations.
Northwest Passage is an equal employment opportunity employer.
