Quality Improvement Specialist- Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services Men's Residence- Full Time- Days

Quality Improvement Specialist- Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services Men's Residence- Full Time- Days

When two established local health systems unite as one collaborative network, healthcare becomes so much more. Centralus Health, an affiliation of Arnot Health and Cayuga Health, is focused on our region's changing needs and your wellbeing. More than a group of experienced caregivers, Centralus Health is a partnership of advocates who strive to eliminate barriers to better health, innovating and evolving services in our communities for enhanced holistic care close to home. Beyond clinical outcomes, it's strengthening community connections and setting a higher standard for quality that's exceptionally personal.

Centralus Health is central to wellness-for all of us.

Job Summary

The Quality Improvement Specialist (QIS) for Substance Use Disorder and Behavioral Health will serve the Cayuga Addiction Recovery Service programs by providing operational and tactical leadership in advancing the quality, safety, and compliance of programs and entities governed and credentialed by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Operations, this position executes the organization's quality and performance improvement initiatives within behavioral health and substance use disorder entities, including Cayuga Addiction and Recovery Services for the Ithaca, Cortland, and Trumansburg Programs. The QIS partners with clinical, operational, and data leaders to ensure program fidelity, regulatory readiness, and continuous improvement in patient outcomes and experience (perception of care for CARS). The QIS reports to the Sr. Director of Operations of Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services, ensuring that priorities are adequately aligned both operationally and strategically. The QIS will be responsible for Perception of Care Surveys, Client Experience, Utilization Review, and the execution of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Plan approved annually.

The role plays a critical part in aligning behavioral health and substance use disorder activities under Centralus Health's broader quality strategy, integrating regulatory compliance, value-based measures, and population health priorities across the continuum of care.

Core Job Functions

• Implement and evaluate quality improvement initiatives across OMH-, OASAS-, and SAMHSA-governed programs to enhance clinical outcomes, patient experience, and compliance with agency standards and evidence-based practice models.
• Responsible for providing all regulatory required reports to the Board of Directors in accordance with regulation.
• Responsible for developing and implementing quality management plans, conducting audits, OASAS mock audits and reviews, evaluating performance data ,and leading corrective action processes to enhance client care and outcomes.
• Ensure continuous readiness for OMH, OASAS, and SAMHSA site reviews, audits, and certification surveys by maintaining program documentation, tracking corrective actions, and ensuring fidelity to federal and state behavioral health/substance use disorder regulations.
• Partner with the Quality Department to collect, validate, and analyze behavioral health/ substance use disorder performance metrics, including incident trends, access, continuity of care, engagement, and readmission data. Use data visualization and analytics tools to translate findings into actionable improvement plans.
• Collaborate with CARS leadership to monitor adherence to program-specific requirements such as CQI standards, OASAS Part 822 & 820, and SAMHSA evidence-based model fidelity
• Assist in developing and maintaining policies, workflows, and documentation tools that reflect current OMH/OASAS/SAMHSA standards, ensuring consistent implementation and audit readiness.
• Translate quality goals into structured project plans; track milestones, measure outcomes, and adapt based on emerging performance data or regulatory updates.
• Create and maintain dashboards and reports that display behavioral health outcomes, regulatory compliance status, and improvement progress. Present findings to CARS Program Leadership and Sr. Director of Operations
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and QI methodologies to behavioral health improvement projects. Support team development and organizational learning through sharing best practices and facilitating staff education.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrated execution of quality improvement projects
• Support patient safety initiatives
• Use verbal and written communication skills to establish and maintain effective relationships, facilitate multi-disciplinary teams, and produce written and/or verbal reports

Success Factors

• Demonstrates excellence in translating data into actionable, measurable improvement not just sending out data points but providing summary and narratives that allow for data to transform into storytelling.
• Leads with a balance of technical expertise and collaborative influence across all levels of the organization.
• Maintains readiness through proactive planning, consistent documentation, and disciplined follow-through.
• Promotes alignment between quality outcomes, operational efficiency, and clinical excellence.
• Builds trust and engagement across clinical, operational, and informatics teams to sustain improvement.
• Acts as a self-starter with strong judgment in prioritization, communication, and escalation to senior leadership.

Education / Experience Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare, social work, psychology, public health, or a related behavioral health field.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) required within two years of hire.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in substance use disorder/behavioral health quality improvement, regulatory compliance, or performance analytics.
• Demonstrated understanding of OMH, OASAS, and SAMHSA program standards and reporting requirements.
• Experience in data analysis, performance tracking, and process improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or QI Model for Improvement.
• Proficiency in EHR systems, data visualization tools (e.g., EPIC, Vizient, PHP), and project documentation.

Preferred:

• Clinical or behavioral health licensure (e.g., LCSW, LMHC, CASAC, or RN).
• Experience with Substance Use Disorder, Behavioral Health, and Addiction Medicine programs.
• Experience supporting program accreditation or certification (e.g., CCBHC, CARF, and Joint Commission Behavioral Health).
• Knowledge of value-based behavioral health metrics, population health integration, and trauma-informed care frameworks.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent improvement certification.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain at a workstation and move around the workspace as needed to complete job tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Location and Travel Requirements:

• Location: CARS Residential Campus- 6621 NYS Route 227, Trumansburg, NY 14886
• Shift: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm
• Travel: Rotating between Trumansburg, Ithaca, and Cortland locations as needed

Pay Range Disclosure:

• $80,000 - $100,000 per year Salary

Centralus Health and its affiliates are committed to treating all patients, providers, staff and volunteers equitably and with dignity, ensuring the highest levels of safety, care and respect, and striving to recognize and overcome biases and policies that contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care and positive health outcomes for all.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, supporting the growth and health of our employees and community by embracing the rich diversity, needs and circumstances of all peoples and prioritizing opportunities to build a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable protected characteristics.

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Centralus Health Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@cayugahealth.org.

I certify that the information contained in this application is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification or omission of information may disqualify me from further consideration for employment or, if hired, may result in termination. In consideration for my employment, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the company, which rules may be changed, withdrawn, added, or interpreted at any time, at the company's sole option and without prior notice to me.

I understand that any hiring decision is contingent upon my successful completion of all of the Company's lawful pre-employment/post-offer checks, which may include a background check, drug screen, employment references, and licensing review. If I am made a conditional offer of employment, I agree to execute any consent forms necessary for the Company to conduct its lawful pre-employment/post-offer checks. Such checks will not be conducted until allowed under applicable federal, state, and local law. I understand if I have a criminal background, it will not automatically disqualify me from employment unless otherwise required by law. I agree to execute any consent forms necessary for the Company to conduct its lawful pre-employment checks.

I also understand that the Company is a drug and alcohol-free workplace and has a drug and alcohol testing program consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. I understand that after a conditional offer of employment, I must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment.