Quality Improvement Specialist

Quality Improvement Specialist

Join Valle del Sol in our commitment to providing quality, culturally sensitive integrated primary care and behavioral health services to adults, children, and adolescents in need. Valle del Sol offers a diverse work environment, competitive pay and benefits, and the opportunity for training and advancement.

The Quality Improvement Specialist supports organizational performance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement efforts through data analysis, training, competency development, and quality project coordination. Working under the Director of Quality & Clinical Services, this role collaborates across departments to improve patient care, strengthen operational workflows, ensure staff competency, and maintain accreditation readiness. The Specialist conducts audits, facilitates training, coordinates improvement projects, and provides coaching to support a culture of high-quality, patient-centered care.

This role requires a foundational understanding of:

• Application of structured improvement methodologies (PDSA cycles, Lean principles, workflow redesign)
• Ability to identify performance gaps and implement sustainable process improvements
• Experience using data to drive decision-making and measure outcomes
• Experience with ongoing compliance monitoring, audits, and regulatory standards
• Ability to ensure adherence to clinical protocols, documentation standards, and organizational policies
• Familiarity with accreditation requirements including The Joint Commission, HRSA, and state regulations
• Basic understanding of patient safety principles, incident reporting, and risk mitigation strategies
• Ability to participate in root cause analysis (RCA) and support corrective action planning
• Awareness of organizational risk identification, tracking, and escalation processes

Job Qualifications:

Education

Required:

• High school diploma or GED.

Preferred:

• Completion of a Medical Assistant training program and/or Medical Assistant certification (CMA, RMA, NCMA, CCMA, or equivalent).
• Associate's degree (or higher) in Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Public Health, Quality Management, Health Information Management, or a related healthcare field.

Experience

Required:

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a healthcare setting (FQHC, primary care, integrated care, behavioral health, or opioid treatment program preferred).
• Experience supporting clinical documentation, audits, compliance monitoring, quality improvement activities, regulatory readiness, or staff training.
• Experience using an electronic health record (EHR) (i.e., NextGen) and maintaining accurate documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Preferred:

Experience supporting Joint Commission, HRSA, OSHA, ADHS, SAMHSA, or other healthcare accreditation or regulatory surveys.

Experience developing or delivering staff training, onboarding, or competency assessments.

Experience with healthcare data analysis, quality metrics, dashboards, or performance improvement initiatives.

Medical Assistant Certification (CMA, RMA, NCMA, CCMA, or equivalent).

Licensure/Certification

Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or ability to obtain within five (5) business days of hire.
• Arizona Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card, or ability to obtain within five (5) business days of hire.
• Must meet any additional licensure, certification, credentialing, or regulatory requirements applicable to the position.

Preferred:

• Medical Assistant Certification (CMA, RMA, NCMA, CCMA, or equivalent), if not already listed under Experience.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or higher.
• Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS).
• Additional certifications related to healthcare quality, regulatory compliance, performance improvement, or healthcare education.

Other Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be able to pass pre- and continued employment screenings successfully.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standardized procedures, audit tools, and checklists.
• Ability to collect, validate, and summarize data accurately.
• Ability to prepare clear documentation (audit findings, trackers, training records, meeting notes) with consistent follow-through.
• Effective communication skills; able to provide staff support and training.
• Ability to organize work, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced clinic environment.
• Strong customer service mindset and ability to work collaboratively with clinical and administrative teams.
• Demonstrated professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
• Reliable attendance and flexibility to support clinic operations and compliance timelines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams) and EHR reporting tools.
• Work at a Valle del Sol office, clinic, or other location as directed.
• Must be able to attend meetings at the various Valle del Sol locations or other designated locations as needed.
• Must be able to operate computer equipment, common software packages, and other office machinery.

Work Environment

This position may operate in clinical, office, or community settings including clinics, administrative offices, outreach locations, client homes, partner agencies, and community sites. Employees may interact with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges, emotional distress, or complex social needs. Standard safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required as applicable.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Typical requirements may include:

• Sitting, standing, walking, bending, and reaching for extended periods
• Operating computers, mobile devices, and standard office or clinical equipment
• Travel to various Valle del Sol locations or community sites when required
• Lifting or moving materials or equipment up to 25 pounds

Schedule & Travel

Work schedules may vary based on program needs and may include evening or weekend hours. Some positions may require local travel between Valle del Sol sites or community locations.

Equipment

Employees may operate standard office, clinical, and communication equipment including computers, phones, printers, electronic health record systems, laptops, and mobile devices.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Life Insurance
• Paid Disability Insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Valle del Sol is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position or to participate in the interview process, please contact us at VdSHR@valledelsol.com.