Behavioral Health Clinical Quality Improvement Specialist, LCSW (Onsite 3 Days/Week)

VNS Health is seeking a Behavioral Health-focused Quality Improvement Specialist to lead initiatives that improve clinical quality, member outcomes, and provider performance across our Behavioral Health network and partnerships. This role is ideal for an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or other licensed Behavioral Health professional with a passion for population health, behavioral health quality measures, provider collaboration, and healthcare transformation.

In this role, you will partner closely with vendor partners, providers, clinical teams, analytics, and network leadership to drive improvement in HEDIS/QARR measures, access to care, transitions of care, and overall member experience. You will use data insights, provider education, and quality improvement methodologies to support measurable improvements in behavioral health outcomes and regulatory performance.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of Behavioral Health clinical practice, quality improvement, and health plan operations, along with experience engaging providers and implementing evidence-based interventions. This is an opportunity to influence system-wide Behavioral Health quality strategy while improving care for vulnerable populations.

What We Provide

• Referral bonus opportunities     

• Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 30 days of paid time off and 9 company holidays   

• Health insurance plan for you and your loved ones, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Disability    

• Employer-matched retirement saving funds   

• Personal and financial wellness programs    

• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care     

• Generous tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees   

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement    

• Internal mobility, generous tuition reimbursement, CEU credits, and advancement opportunities    

What You Will Do

• Conducts clinical assessment including and not limited to, medication reconciliations, post-discharge transitions of care assessment and follow-up post emergency department assessment
• Collaborates across departments to ensure compliance with DOH, CMS, and NCQA requirements. Coaches teams in applying continuous improvement methodologies (PDSA, LEAN, RCA) to achieve strategic objectives and national benchmarks for quality, satisfaction, and cost. Partners with analytics and program teams to identify trends and address performance gaps.
• Performs clinical reviews with network providers to validate diagnoses, address care gaps, and support accurate HEDIS/QARR documentation. Collaborates with providers to improve adherence to evidence-based care and quality measures.
• Leads and participates in multidisciplinary QI teams and committees to design, implement, and evaluate improvement initiatives related to clinical performance, documentation, and regulatory compliance. Supports development of annual QI work plan, program evaluation, and performance reporting. Supports value-based programs through data review, gap identification, and provider feedback.
• Performs medical record audits to evaluate adherence to documentation, coding, and quality standards. Provides education, feedback, and guidance to PCPs on VNS Health Medical Record Documentation Standards.
• Conducts audits of patient care records to monitor care quality and documentation accuracy.. Develops forms, record abstracts, reports, and other tools used to implement concurrent and retrospective patient care review, including the design, testing and evaluation of the review methodology.
• Performs utilization and quality assessment reviews  to maintain compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements.  Identifies & analyzes results to inform the development of correction plans.
• Collaborates with management to develop measurable action plans based on root-cause analysis, outcome trends, and survey results (HEDIS, CAHPS, Stars). Presents recommendations to QI committees and leadership to drive improvement and accountability.
• Participates in the preparation for and assists with site visits of external providers for the purpose of regulatory quality compliance.
• Develops and disseminates training materials, clinical guidelines, and quality protocols to promote consistent evidence-based care across provider networks and internal teams. Provides education sessions and quality coaching as needed.
• Conducts follow-up reviews and reassessments to ensure corrective actions for regulatory findings, complaints, or incidents are implemented effectively and sustained over time. Documents progress and escalates unresolved issues as appropriate.
• Develops, maintains, and updates QI policies and procedures aligned with evolving regulatory and industry standards. Collaborates with analytics to collect, interpret, and share performance data with internal teams to drive transparency and accountability.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Licenses and Certifications:

• License and current registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, LPC, or Licensed Psychologist in New York State or New Jersey required 

Education: 

• Master's Degree Behavioral Health Only: Social Work or other Behavioral Health field required
  
  

Work Experience:

• Minimum of three years experience in a health plan or health care, setting required
• Minimum of three years quality improvement experience preferred
• Minimum of one year experience, quality management, practice improvement and compliance preferred
• Demonstrated experience leading or facilitating cross-functional quality initiatives preferred
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including group facilitation skills required
• Knowledge of basic Performance Improvement tools and methodologies (e.g., PDSA, LEAN, Six Sigma). preferred