Location: Gainesville, FL

Pay: $49,500 Annually | Exempt

Why Choose Meridian?

For over 50 years, Meridian Healthcare has been a trusted provider of compassionate care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. With service centers across 13 counties in North Central Florida, we are committed to transforming lives and communities from the inside out.

We live by our core values: Hope, Empathy, Accountability, Resilience, and Teamwork (H.E.A.R.T.). If these resonate with you, we invite you to become part of our dedicated and mission-driven team.

About the Role

At Meridian, quality and safety are at the heart of the services we provide. As a QI Risk Management Specialist, you will play a critical role in strengthening organizational performance, reducing risk, supporting regulatory compliance, and helping drive continuous quality improvement across the organization.

In this highly collaborative role, you will partner with clinical and administrative teams to transform incident investigations, client concerns, regulatory findings, and organizational data into meaningful actions that improve outcomes and strengthen services. You will help ensure Meridian remains compliant, responsive, and prepared while promoting a culture of accountability, safety, and excellence.

What You Will Do

• Coordinate and manage adverse and critical incident reporting activities, ensuring compliance with all internal and external reporting requirements

• Monitor, investigate, categorize, and report incidents while ensuring regulatory submissions are completed within required timeframes

• Coordinate DCF IRAS, Office of the Inspector General, AHCA AIRS, and related reporting activities

• Support and manage the seclusion and restraint reporting process while assisting with risk-reduction initiatives

• Coordinate responses to subpoenas, legal requests, audits, and external record inquiries

• Gather and organize documentation required for legal, regulatory, and compliance reviews

• Conduct and support root cause analyses, risk assessments, and corrective action planning

• Assist departments in identifying opportunities for quality improvement and performance enhancement

• Manage the client concern and grievance process, including investigations, follow-up, resolution, and documentation

• Serve as Meridian's ADA/Section 504 Single Point of Contact and coordinate accommodation requests

• Act as liaison for language access and interpreter services

• Collect, analyze, and summarize quality, safety, compliance, and risk management data

• Develop recurring reports, dashboards, presentations, and performance summaries

• Identify organizational trends, emerging risks, and opportunities for operational improvement

• Track recommendations, corrective actions, and follow-up activities through completion

• Participate in and support Quality Improvement and Risk Management committees

• Prepare committee agendas, meeting materials, minutes, and action item tracking

• Provide training, onboarding support, and educational resources related to quality improvement, risk management, incident reporting, and regulatory compliance

• Collaborate with leadership and operational teams to support accreditation, licensing, audit readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Maintain confidential records and documentation in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements

• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Behavioral/Social Sciences, Business, or a related field and a minimum of two (2) years of related experience required

• Master's degree in a healthcare-related field preferred and may substitute for some experience requirements

• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience may be considered for candidates without a degree

• Experience in a healthcare setting required

• Behavioral health, substance use, community mental health, or human services experience strongly preferred

• Experience in quality improvement, risk management, compliance, business analysis, data analysis, or performance improvement preferred

• Knowledge of Florida behavioral healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2 preferred

• Experience with incident reporting systems, electronic health records, and reporting tools preferred

• Valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and reliable transportation required

• Ability to travel locally between Meridian locations as needed

• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting strict deadlines and compliance requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of quality improvement, risk management, compliance, and performance improvement principles

• Knowledge of root cause analysis, corrective action planning, trend analysis, and continuous quality improvement methodologies

• Ability to analyze data and transform findings into actionable recommendations

• Strong written communication skills with the ability to prepare reports, summaries, policies, business correspondence, and presentations

• Ability to interpret regulations, accreditation standards, legal documents, and technical guidance

• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills

• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills across all levels of the organization

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information

• Strong organizational and project management skills

• Ability to prioritize competing demands and meet regulatory deadlines

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Advanced Excel skills, including data analysis and PivotTables, preferred

• Experience utilizing electronic health records, incident reporting systems, and data reporting tools preferred

• Commitment to exceptional customer service and Meridian's H.E.A.R.T. values

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Competitive Pay & Incentives

• Work-Life Balance: Generous PTO for vacation, sick time, and holidays

• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple health plans, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability

• Retirement Planning: 403(b) company match begins after one year of employment and goes up to 8%

• Growth & Development: Tuition reimbursement, career advancement pathways, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

• Wellness & Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness incentives, and mental health resources

• Inclusive Culture: Supportive, team-oriented environment with employee events and recognition

• Additional Perks: Cell phone discounts, travel reimbursement, LegalShield, pet insurance, and more

Make a Difference

Join a team dedicated to improving quality, safety, compliance, and organizational excellence. Your work will directly impact Meridian's ability to provide exceptional care by identifying opportunities for improvement, reducing risk, strengthening compliance, and helping ensure the highest standards of service for the individuals and communities we serve.

Apply today and start your Meridian career.

For information on Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and screening requirements, visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Meridian is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.