QA Data Specialist

Position Summary 

The Data Analytics Specialist supports Crittenton’s behavioral health system by leading data analytics, utilization review support, and compliance monitoring across all Department of Mental Health (DMH) funded programs. This role is responsible for extracting and analyzing clinical and administrative data, developing dashboards and performance reports, monitoring KPIs and outcomes, supporting audits and corrective actions, and integrating data into the agency’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process. While primarily supporting DMH-funded mental health programs, the role also contributes to standardized, agency-wide reporting and quality infrastructure in accordance with approved cost-allocation practices, ensuring that data drives informed decision-making, improves access, and strengthens quality across programs. 

Pay Range:  $55,993.60 - $85,000 annually.

Education / Experience Required  

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Health Informatics, Data Analytics, Psychology, Social Work (with analytics emphasis), Statistics, or a related field that included coursework in quantitative analysis or research methods; master’s degree preferred
• Three (3) to (5) years of experience in behavioral health or healthcare data analysis, quality management, utilization review support, or performance reporting.
• Demonstrated experience working with DMH or Medi-Cal behavioral health programs, including contract monitoring and outcome reporting.
• Experience working with Electronic Health Record (EHR) data in a mental health setting required.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL and Excel for data extraction and analysis.
• Experience with business intelligence and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Looker, or similar).
• Experience analyzing behavioral health EHR data, claims/encounters, and utilization metrics.
• Familiarity with SAS preferred.

Clearances and Requirements  

• Must successfully clear DOJ and FBI fingerprint checks.
• Must be cleared by ORR.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid California driver’s license and current auto insurance.

Essential Duties 

• Provides data analytics, utilization monitoring, and CQI support primarily for DMH-funded mental health programs, while contributing to shared agency-wide reporting tools, dashboards, and quality systems in alignment with approved cost-allocation requirements.
• Extract, validate, and analyze data from EHR and related systems to monitor service utilization, access, intensity, outcomes, and compliance across DMH programs.
• Analyze utilization patterns by level of care, service type, provider discipline, and program, identifying trends, gaps, and risk areas.
• Design and maintain dashboards and reports that track behavioral health KPIs, including access timeliness, engagement, service utilization, clinical outcomes, and discharge patterns.
• Support outcome monitoring tied to evidence-based practices (EBPs) used across programs (e.g., symptom improvement, functional change, stability indicators), ensuring data reflects practice expectations.
• Support utilization review (UR) and medical necessity monitoring by analyzing service frequency, intensity, and authorization alignment.
• Identify potential under- or over-utilization trends and flag concerns for QA leadership and program directors.
• Assist with data preparation and analysis related to service authorization, reauthorization, and utilization management reviews. 
• Prepare data and analyses for DMH, County, and Medi-Cal audits, site visits, and monitoring activities.
• Track audit findings and support corrective action plans, using data to verify implementation and sustained improvement.
• Monitor compliance with contract requirements, performance measures, and reporting timelines, escalating risks as needed.
• Integrate analytic findings into CQI processes by identifying performance gaps, supporting improvement initiatives, and measuring impact over time.
• Collaborate with program managers to ensure data drives program decisions, staffing adjustments, and practice improvements. 
• Collaborate with QA staff, clinical leadership, IT, and senior data resources to improve data workflows and reporting accuracy.
• Translate complex mental health data into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
• Maintain documentation related to data definitions, reporting logic, and utilization methodologies.
• May perform other duties as assigned.