QI and Incident Coordinator - Agency Admin

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Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Vice President, the Quality Improvement and Incident Coordinator will support the FREE network by providing expertise and support in the areas of incident and investigatory services and regulatory guidance, conducting investigations, supporting FREE during state surveys and external audits, and providing person-centered planning and reviews. The Quality Improvement and Incident Coordinator will work to increase the quality of services delivered to all people supported at FREE.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts quality improvement reviews/audits on-site at respective programs.
• Assists with processing results from state surveys and reviewing formal plans of corrective action.
• Conducts investigations into incidents occurring within the programs and writes investigative reports within regulatory guidelines.
• Ensures that all individuals receive medical treatment as needed and in accordance with regulations and agency policy as it relates to incidents and allegations of abuse.
• Ensures that safeguards are implemented to prevent future incidents and allegations of abuse.
• Closes incidents in NIMRS/IRMA as well as submit corrective action plans into the system.
• Supports and guides others who are conducting investigations.
• Provides onsite support and guidance during state surveys and external audits (OPWDD, OFPC, OMH, DOH, SED, and CMS).
• Ensures that the individual's safety and needs are met and intercedes on their behalf as necessary.
• Ensures adequate training of staff and the men and women receiving services in abuse and incident reporting.
• Mediates emergency situations pertaining to the program according to established policies and procedures and ensures communication of such situations in a timely fashion.
• Monitors the adequacy and/or appropriateness of program participant services and for compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies.
• Provides expertise and consultation to the organization and its affiliates with regulatory and incident related matters.
• Participates in the development of safety plans required for OPWDD certified programs during construction and/or relocation as needed.
• Implements a schedule of quality reviews in accordance with FREE’s plan.
• Completes and reviews all necessary documentation and files for accuracy, thoroughness, and appropriateness in a timely manner and in accordance with regulations.
• Provides necessary professional development education to the agency when needed including acting as an instructor for ongoing trainings (i.e. SCIP, CPR/FA, etc.).
• Represents the agency by participating in external committees (via trade, advocacy, government entities and other associations) and at agency functions.
• Participates in state, regional, and local planning as it pertains to program development.
• Reports all violations and/or accidents in agency or personal vehicle in accordance with New York State regulations and Agency policy.
• Provides necessary support to assigned programs during a crisis, including but not limited to: employee’s shortages, natural disasters, individual related emergencies, weather, etc.
• Ensures that each of the departments within the division conform to all regulations and applicable federal, state, local and agency requirements.
• Ensures adequate supervision and services are provided based on the needs of the individuals served for the respective programs within the division, if applicable.
• Reports all possible violations of individuals’ rights promptly and ensures the proper and timely completion of all incident reports in accordance with New York State regulations and Agency policy.
• Cultivates a work environment that promotes the development of individualized services.
• Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities of All FREE Employees

• Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.

• Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
• Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
• Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
• Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.
• Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.

Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in human services or a related field preferred.

• Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in the health and human services field required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a quality improvement or investigative related position preferred.

• Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:
  • Not required, training will be provided upon hire as needed
• Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:

• Experience and familiarity with state, local, federal regulations and OPWDD, OMH, DOH, OMIG and other government run entities preferred.
• Experience with MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential.
• Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills.

• Other Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License and satisfy criteria to be a driver for the agency required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is performed in-person in an office setting. Some travel to FREE locations and program sites required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
• Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
• Employee is required to reach with hands and arms.
• Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed.
• Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time.

Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.

FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises’ affirmative action efforts related to protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are set out and described in our affirmative action plan for protected veterans and individuals with a disability. If you have any questions or would like to view the affirmative action plan, please visit our website