County of Alameda

Under general direction, develops, plans, organizes, and manages the activities of the Quality Management Program of Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACBH), a department of the Health Care Services Agency.  The Quality Management Program Director is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and implementation of the Quality Program for ACBH.  This will include the design, implementation, management, and evaluation of Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Improvement (QI), Final Rule, and other Regulatory requirements; and related Patient Access activities to ensure the quality of client care and services provided in outpatient/community and inpatient/residential health care settings.  Assures the design and implementation of behavioral health programs and services (including mental health and substance abuse programs) are in compliance with associated certification and regulatory guidelines requirements administered at the local, state, and federal levels.  Maintains an organizational commitment which drives departmental standards related to the provision and support of high-quality mental health and substance abuse programming consistent with the department’s mission, vision, values, and strategic direction; and performs related duties as required. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

This single-position class is located in the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and reports to the Plan Administrator (Deputy Director).  The Quality Management Program Director serves in a leadership role in developing, implementing, directing, and evaluating continuous quality improvement and ensures that the ACHB quality programs are in compliance with the state and federal requirements; in addition to compliance with customer and regulatory requirements for quality, safety and reliability.  This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Plan Administrator (Deputy Director) in that the latter class has overall planning, administrative and policy development responsibilities for Alameda County Behavioral Health.

NOTE:   The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1. Oversees and administers the activities of the Quality Management Program Unit, including the development of policies, procedures, and compliance; and monitoring of all current regulatory or governing requirements, strategies, corrective action plans, and mandates associated with our various contracts with the California Department of Health Care Services.
2. Provides leadership in the development and implementation of Quality Improvement projects and programs and provides consultation and recommendation to ACBH executive and management staff regarding quality management, governmental regulations, accreditation standards, and emerging health and behavioral health policies.
3. Develops and implements a quality monitoring and improvement program based on departmental metrics in clinical quality of care, utilization of health care resources, client/consumer/family satisfaction, and administrative processes such that priorities emerge at the organizational level and outcomes are competitive with external benchmarks.
4. Oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of the annual Quality Improvement Work Plan and related performance improvement projects.
5. Collaborates closely with the HCSA Chief Compliance Officer or designee in order to ensure departmental compliance with all regulatory, quality, contractual, and legal requirements; as well as compliance matters related to HIPPA, patient’s rights, or other sensitive service or operational, fiscal, or staff/contractor functions.
6. Maintains a working knowledge of all other departmental work plans related to quality improvement, client safety, or other corrective actions.
7. Collaborates with ACBH executive team and leadership and HCSA management staff as directed through committees and task forces, and supports the department in defining, measuring, analyzing, and applying data to make quality improvements.
8. Designs and oversees ACBH system-wide clinical program initiatives for quality outcomes that comply with accreditation and certification standards and oversees processes which result in the implementation of evidence based and culturally responsive practices.
9. Assesses needs and develops a training program in quality improvement processes, culturally responsive practices and organizational initiatives that support clinical outcomes and improved health status for clients.
10. Acts as a resource in process and outcome measurements, analysis, and improvement including Performance Improvement and Quality Improvement concepts, techniques, relevant legislation, regulations, and policies/procedures.
11. Oversees the development, implementation and maintenance of structural processes to provide a flow of Quality Management Information across the ACBH system.
12. Plans, supervises, reviews and evaluates the work of supervisory, professional, technical and support staff; selects staff and provides for their training and professional development; implements discipline as required.
13. Oversees program performance for the ACBH system through management of Quality Improvement functions such as audits, medical records review and the certification process for organizations.
14. Oversees investigations and the development of corrective action plans and the tracking and resolution of these issues.
15. Oversees the response to issues identified for improvement or correction; acts as lead on all formal corrective action plans and performance improvement plans issued by the State of California or through our annual EQRO visits.
16. Collaborates with the HCSA Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer to develop policies and procedures in response to new compliance requirements for the department.
17. Provides consultation to community based organizations and providers in setting goals and implementing strategies to meet selected accrediting organization’s standards, applications and survey processes.
18. May act as ACBH representative in initiating or responding to legal inquiries and actions related to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded program compliance such as Fair Hearings, appeals and in response to provider inquiries and investigations.
19. Responsible for public presentations including briefings related to quality management to the Director of Health Care Services Agency, Director of ACBH, the Board of Supervisors and other state and federal agencies.
20. Maintains knowledge base of current trends and best practices in health care delivery system and quality management; participates in variety of professional committees and meetings.
21. Prepares a variety of correspondence, including but not limited to narratives and statistical reports, information for the Board of Supervisors, program documentation, policies, procedures, and other written materials.

Education:  

Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Business Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Administration, Public Health Administration or related field; Board Certification in Psychiatry; or a Law Degree and related study/course work or practice in Health care or Behavioral Health care.  

AND

Experience:  

The equivalent of five years of full-time quality improvement or compliance/management post-graduate experience, including the development and implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) activities assessing the quality of client care and services in an outpatient/community or governmental institution, and/or inpatient/residential health care settings.  At least three years of this experience must have included supervision of professional staff.   

Certification as CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality), HCQM (Health Care Quality and Management) or other closely related certification is preferred.    

License:   Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.  

NOTE:   The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.  

NOTE:   The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:

• Management principles and practices, including work planning, employee supervision and resource allocation.
• Current quality improvement principles, best practices and trends in the health care delivery system.
• Principles of outcome measurement in system evaluation.
• Community/organizational and pubic/private partnership dynamics and development.
• Strategic planning and implementation.
• Relevant federal, state, and local regulations and behavioral care standards.
• Current trends, research, and issues in treatment and prevention as they relate to QA/QM/QI in a managed behavioral health care system.
• Principles and practices of medical records management and utilization management.
• Clinical standards of practice and licensure requirements; including certification standards related to the provision of health care.
• Project management skills, including project planning, resource allocation, work plan management, tracking and reporting.
• Culturally responsive practices in health care and community organizations.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.  

Ability to:

• Provide strong leadership and management.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Interact effectively with internal and external auditors, administrators, staff and stakeholders.        
• Analyze and use data in decision making.
• Plan and organize.
• Demonstrate analytical and evaluation skills.
• Analyze budgets.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Work effectively with diverse populations and communities.
• Work independently and prioritize objectives.
• Analyze and problem solve.
• Be flexible.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.