QUALITY ASSURANCE NURSE

Position Overview

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Nurse (Program Evaluation Specialist) to ensure that contracted vendors provide timely, appropriate, and professional healthcare services to inmates. The role involves reviewing contracts, monitoring service delivery, conducting quality assurance audits, and ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, ADCRR policies, and National Correctional Health Care standards. This position is located at the HEALTH CARE SERVICES UNIT, 1831 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. For more information, please visit our website.

Salary: $70,200.00

Key Responsibilities

• Review and observe vendor and operational processes relating to inmate healthcare, including medication administration and utilization management.
• Analyze and synthesize information to recommend process improvements.
• Report issues of concern to the supervisory chain of command immediately.
• Review medical records for appropriateness and timeliness of both on-site and off-site care.
• Collaborate with site monitors and conduct clinical reviews as needed.
• Track and report monthly regarding care provided to assigned inmates.
• Utilize clinical expertise to determine appropriate placement of inmates in inpatient or general population settings.
• Work with healthcare vendors, ADCRR providers, and operations to ensure proper bed management in inpatient and special housing units.
• Complete required reports, conduct research, compose correspondence, attend meetings and trainings, and fulfill special projects within set time frames.
• Develop and maintain spreadsheets to track inmate healthcare access.
• Manage updates for facility inventory control.
• Conduct root cause analysis and collaborate to implement and sustain improved processes.
• Drive on State Business as required.

Required Qualifications

• Must possess a valid, unrestricted Arizona Board of Nursing License.
• Strong knowledge of correctional healthcare delivery principles and federal/state regulations.
• Experience in quality assurance, clinical review, and performance improvement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and clinical decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a secured prison environment and manage multiple tasks under deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer a minimum of five (5) years of nursing experience in a correctional healthcare setting.
• Experience working with healthcare vendors.
• Familiarity with infection control protocols in high-risk environments.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary: $70,200.00
• Vacation and sick days along with 10 paid holidays per year.
• Paid Parental Leave — Up to 12 weeks per year (pilot program).
• Robust and affordable insurance plans covering medical, dental, life, and short-/long-term disability.
• Exceptional retirement program (participation in the Arizona State Retirement System after 27 weeks of employment).
• Optional benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program.
• Incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program.