Risk Coordinator

Risk Coordinator

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a Risk Coordinator. The Risk Coordinator plays an essential role in advancing patient and staff safety within a dynamic hospital environment by leading key risk management and quality improvement initiatives. This position partners closely with clinical teams, leadership, and external agencies to ensure incidents are thoroughly reviewed, investigated, and resolved in alignment with regulatory standards. Through meaningful collaboration and data-driven insight, the Risk Coordinator helps identify trends, strengthen safety practices, and support a culture of continuous improvement across the organization. This opportunity offers a unique blend of analytical, investigative, and collaborative work, ideal for professionals who are passionate about healthcare quality, compliance, and systems improvement. The role provides exposure to high-level committees, regulatory processes, and performance improvement strategies, while also allowing for direct impact on patient care outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Review and oversee incident and event reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, timely follow-up, and appropriate external notifications to regulatory agencies.
• Ensure timely and accurate entry of incident data into all required reporting systems in compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Maintain thorough and compliant documentation in accordance with CMS, hospital policies, and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate hospital-wide risk management, complaint resolution, and investigative processes to ensure adherence to established standards and 103 CMR 32.00 requirements.
• Serve as a liaison to internal leadership and external agencies, facilitating information requests and ensuring proper handling and distribution of sensitive records.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of fact-finding investigations, providing guidance and support to enhance investigative practices.
• Lead and participate in performance improvement initiatives, including monitoring corrective action plans and regulatory compliance efforts.
• Provide consultation and training on risk reduction strategies, including methodologies such as Root Cause Analysis, Failure Mode Analysis, and Sentinel Event reviews.
• Track, analyze, and report on key risk indicators, including restraint and seclusion, AWA incidents, and other safety-related metrics; prepare routine and ad hoc reports for leadership and committees.
• Utilize EMR and related systems to conduct audits, support data integrity, chair risk-related committees, and contribute to ongoing quality and patient safety initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience conducting formal and informal risk assessments within healthcare or behavioral health settings.
• Strong knowledge of quality improvement principles and experience supporting performance improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience investigating complaints and grievances, including fact-finding and report development.
• Knowledge of inpatient mental health treatment environments and related clinical practices.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts regulations, including reporting requirements to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC).
• Excellent professional writing skills, with experience drafting, editing, and finalizing detailed reports.
• Understanding of Federal and State programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and other public entitlement systems.
• Experience reviewing medical records, managing data, and producing analytical reports, charts, and summaries.
• Knowledge of CMS and The Joint Commission standards, with experience applying regulatory and compliance frameworks.
• Ability to collaborate with and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, supervise or guide staff, and drive consensus on complex issues; bilingual or multilingual skills preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of hospital administration laws, regulations, policies, and accreditation standards.
• Advanced understanding of The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) standards and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with state and departmental regulations related to reporting abuse, neglect, and critical incidents.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures governing complaint management and investigative processes.
• Experience working with state systems such as DMH Data Warehouse, OIA Database, and SLS Incident Reporting System.
• Understanding of Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) structures, policies, and operational processes.
• Experience applying regulatory standards in behavioral health or inpatient healthcare settings.
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks and patient safety best practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory guidance to real-world scenarios.
• Experience supporting audits, surveys, or accreditation reviews within a healthcare environment.

DMH Mission and Vision

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research.