DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
4000 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary: $66,000.00 - $78,000.00 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: October 31, 2025

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Process Improvement Nurse. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member driven. These services provide individuals with opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities of independent decision-making and engagement in the community.

Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
● Complete HP Elevation referral entry. Manages HPE documentation in the AHCCCS QM Portal and internal tracker tools. Communicates with DOD Subcontracted HP and AHCCCS for additional fact-finding and resolution of HP Elevations. Reviews the subcontracted HP investigation findings for accuracy and completeness. Provide the QM Manager with monthly analysis and summary reports.
● Review daily the submitted IRs for incidents of Member mortalities. Submits a summary and recommendation for a Quality of Care Investigation to the QM Medical Director. Manages the Annual Mortality Tracker with details about Member deaths. Coordinates delivery of Death Certificates, Medical Examiner reports, and any additional information, as available, from other governmental entities.
● Collaborate with the QM Manager in determining Member deaths reviewed during the monthly Mortality Review Committee meetings. Prepares meeting agendas, presentations, and handout materials before each committee meeting.
● Analyze incidents marked as Track and Trend. Creating Pivot Tables and other analytic tools showing areas of interest for further investigation by the QMU Data Team and the QM Manager including outlines, graphs, draft reports, and other modalities.

Knowledge in:
● Applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures about quality assurance.
● Program guidelines, standards, and practices.
● Principles of group dynamics, relationships, and human development.
Skills In:
● Technological skills, including the use of databases, Google Workspace products, email, and electronic referral and verification sources.
● Producing professional technical reports, letters, and investigative reports.
● Research and analysis.
● Oral and written communication skills.
Ability to:
● Interpret rules, laws, and policies and apply to unique case circumstances.
● Work in a fast-paced environment.
● Organize, prioritize, and track files and information from various sources.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
● Experience in clinical informatics and data analytics.

● Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to Driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R2-10-201.11).
● Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
● Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 41-1968 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults. ● Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
● All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
● Required at time of appointment: possession of a current license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

● Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
● Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
● 10 paid holidays per year
● Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
● Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
● Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
● Deferred compensation plan
● Wellness plans
● Tuition Reimbursement
● Stipend Opportunities
● Infant at Work Program
● Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
● Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
● Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Wendy Browning at or wbrowning@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting wbrowning@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.