Director of Quality Assurance

Introduction

Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a current DMHAS employee to join our team as the Director of Quality Assurance (PCN 154702). This vital leadership position oversees the hospital's comprehensive quality management program, ensures continuous regulatory readiness, and supports the delivery of safe, high-quality forensic psychiatric care.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Location: 70 O'Brien Drive, Middletown, CT
• Shift: Full-time, First Shift
• Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:


As a State of Connecticut employee, you will continue to enjoy the competitive benefits you are accustomed to, including:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Assisting with leadership and daily operations of the Quality Department and its specialized programs
• Planning, coordinating, and managing quality improvement, compliance, and patient safety initiatives
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating program goals and objectives aligned with the DMHAS mission
• Assisting in the creation and implementation of agency policies, procedures, and administrative practices
• Interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and agency policies
• Ensuring compliance with DPH, The Joint Commission, DMHAS, and other regulatory/accrediting agencies
• Overseeing incident reporting, performance improvement activities, policy management, Health Information Management, and Patient Advocacy functions
• Assessing program performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing corrective actions
• Training, mentoring, supervising, and evaluating departmental staff
• Coordinating administrative, clinical, and operational activities to support quality outcomes and regulatory compliance
• Collaborating with internal and external partners to ensure continuity of care and program effectiveness
• Participating in budget planning, resource allocation, recruitment, hiring, and staff development
• Providing leadership for hospital-wide quality improvement and performance management initiatives

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

Whiting Forensic Hospital specializes in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds. Whiting Forensic Hospital provides high quality, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and evaluation services for patients with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings. This is accomplished with full respect for the civil and human rights of each patient. Our goal is to assist individuals to manage their illnesses and achieve personal recovery goals through developing the skills necessary to live safely in the community.


Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!

Please note:

• A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
• All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.


FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:


Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.


BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.
• Salary Calculations : For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note : The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note : This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at

• This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:


Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Joseph K. Fried at View email address on click.appcast.io.


Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)


In a state agency this class is accountable for directing the comprehensive programs of the quality assurance division and monitoring regulatory compliance activities and program enhancement in accordance with national standards and accreditation requirements and/or regional and/or state quality assurance plans.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations of the division;
• Coordinates, plans and manages division activities;
• Formulates program goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development of related policies, procedures and regulations;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget;
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact program activities;
• Reviews programs for quality of care and services delivered.
• Recommends strategies for improvement and compliance;
• Monitors plans and policies for compliance with federal and state regulations and/or accreditation standards;
• Plans and implements through research reporting and analyzing of data compiled on quality of life experienced by individuals of services; Provides consultation services to staff, provider organizations and advocacy agencies regarding quality assurance operations;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • administration and modern practices associated with delivery of services to individuals;
  • educational strategies relating to enhancement of quality of life environments;
  • research methods, statistical analysis and reporting of data;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE


Nine (9) years of professional experience in a health facility, system, or research environment for the types of clients, facilities or programs serviced by the agency.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE


Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or as a quality assurance professional responsible for program evaluation.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in public administration, health administration, education, management, social work, social and human services or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• A doctoral degree in public administration, health administration, education, management, social work, or social and human services or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with hospital operations.
• Experience with data and technology applications.
• Experience with data collection, analysis and creation of spreadsheets.
• Experience managing policies and ensuring compliance in a healthcare or behavioral health setting.
• Experience applying regulatory standards and supporting successful surveys.
• Experience in Quality Management, including incident reviews and performance improvement, including QAPI.
• Experience preparing and presenting compliance and quality reports.
• Experience in utilizing Microsoft Office applications and Incident Reporting systems.
• Experience in regulatory surveys and Corrective Action Plan support and management.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.