Career Center

POSITION SUMMARY

The Deputy Director of Quality will lead APAs quality programs and provide strategic direction and represent APAs interests to external stakeholders. This position is responsible for 1) proactively monitoring quality improvement programs/activities within the federal government and other accrediting bodies, 2) act as APAs subject matter expert on quality measurement and monitor and contribute to various agency and organizations activities, 3) represent APA in national activities in the area of physician-level quality measurement; 4) oversee APA quality measure development; and 5) develop quality improvement focused educational materials.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for leading APAs efforts with the national quality enterprise.
  • Communicate APAs national quality improvement strategies and priorities with CMS and other quality improvement and accreditation organizations (NCQA, URAC, TJC, NQF).
  • Respond to requests for comment by administrators of various quality payment programs on proposed regulation and policy changes, and proposed measures for inclusion in these or other programs (e.g., Merit-based Incentive Payment System: MIPS, Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Quality Reporting Program, and others as needed).
  • Monitor regulatory and legislative activities around quality improvement programs at the national and state-level and prioritize findings for the Association, including district branches.
  • Advocate for APA membership, should policy inhibit evidence-based practice; liaison between APA and national quality measure development and endorsement groups (e.g., CMS/HHS and NQF).
  • Nominate APA member-experts to quality measure focused and other quality improvement related initiatives.
  • Collaborate with APAs Department of Government Relations, and serve as an expert resource to other APA entities (e.g., District Branches; Area Councils; APA Foundation) on all quality improvement activites for advocacy purposes.

• Quality Measurement Refinement and Development: Lead the APA quality measure development prioritization process, strategy, framework, and infrastructure.
  • Work collaboratively with APA Clinical Practice Guidelines staff, PsychPRO Registry staff, and appointed member-experts to oversee APA-led quality measure development projects. coordinate testing and refinement of quality measures to ensure scientific acceptability);
  • Participate in Technical Expert Panels and focus groups in external quality measure development efforts.
  • Collaborate and coordinate with partnering medical organizations to steward the measure development.

• Educational Activities:
  • Lead the development of educational content for APA membership on the various quality payment and improvment programs.

• • Respond to inquiries from APA members and staff on quality measurement, accreditation, and accountability programs.

• Other quality improvement projects including:
  • Provide strategic direction and represent APAs interests to external stakeholders around quality improvement programs with organizations via in-person presentations and webinar.

• Staff lead for APAs Council on Quality Care and its various reporting components including the Committee on Performance and Quality Measurement, Workgroup on Patient Safety and others as assigned.

• Stays abreast of the quality enterprise as it applies to each of these groups specific topics. Guides these component groups through the approved APA process for policy and resource development and approval (e.g., position statements, resource documents, new component development, etc.).
• Responsible for working with liaisons of the Committee on Mental Health and Information Technology and Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines to ensure these components initiatives are consulted on and supported by the Council on Quality Care.

• APA representative to the Quality Improvement-Performance Improvement Council of the Council on Medical Specialty Societies.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree with 5-8 years demonstrated experience in quality improvement and public health policy; Masters degree in public health or related field preferred
• 3 years of relevant quality measure development experience for another physician organization, preferred
• Experience working with federal agencies
• Clinical knowledge of psychiatric illness is desirable
• Staff management required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to positively represent the association to membership and professional groups
• Proficiency in common business computer applications

EOE, including disability/vets

Salary $89,352-$125,756