DSHS HCLA Fatality Review Compliance Specialist

Full Job Description

Fatality Review Compliance Specialist

Health & Community Living Administration (HCLA) – Adult Protective Services (APS)

You will join a team committed to supporting adults across Washington through clear policy, thoughtful review practices, and steady collaboration.

In this role, you will help shape how APS learns from fatality and near-fatality events by bringing together information from the field, identifying what matters most, and helping the program strengthen its practices statewide.

You will work closely with APS leadership, regional staff, and partners across HCLA to ensure that review activities are consistent, timely, and grounded in state and federal requirements.

You will be part of a small policy team that supports APS in meeting federal expectations, state law, and quality improvement goals.

Your work will help the program understand what happened, what can be improved, and how to support safer outcomes for vulnerable adults.

Because this work touches every region and relies on accurate interpretation of APS practice, you will draw on your investigation experience, your ability to navigate complex case information, and your skill in communicating clearly with staff at all levels.

You will also contribute to statewide policy development, updates to procedures, and the tools APS uses to complete review activities.

Your work will help ensure that APS remains aligned with evolving federal guidance, maintains compliance with 74.34 RCW and related rules, and continues to strengthen Washington’s service delivery system.

This opportunity offers flexible hybrid telework.

Some of what you will do

• Facilitate after-event, fatality, near-fatality, and major-incident case staffings, including preparation, coordination, and documentation.
• Review APS casework for alignment with policy, RCW, and WAC, with a focus on fatality and near-fatality events.
• Determine whether a connection exists between a death and potential abuse or neglect and prepare written summaries and reports for APS leadership.
• Maintain and update statewide policies and procedures and the APS fatality/near-fatality review tool, working with IT and program staff on needed improvements.
• Examine case information and statewide data to identify trends, prepare reports, and recommend steps to reduce future risk.
• Draft policy, procedures, management bulletins, and responses to state and federal oversight, including materials for legislative cycles.
• Provide consultation, training, and clarification to regional offices, partner agencies, and community organizations.
• Represent APS in meetings, workgroups, and hearings, including providing expert testimony when requested.

Fast forward six months

You have become familiar with APS review practices and have supported case staffings across the state.

You have helped refine the after-event review and case-staffing policies and procedures and contributed to the annual wrap-up report.

You’re building working relationships with regional offices, understanding how information flows from the field, and drafting policy and procedure updates that reflect what you are learning.

Who should apply

This work is confidential and requires sound judgment, clarity, and consistency.

You will bring one of the following pathways:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field plus at least 5 years as a Social Service Specialist 3, 4, or 5 (or equivalent) conducting or supervising APS investigations.
• Or, 9 years of professional experience in social work, health or social science, public administration, or related work that includes program management principles, organizational processes, and knowledge of APS laws, regulations, and due-process requirements.

The experience described above should include:

• Skill in reviewing case information, interpreting policy, and preparing clear written materials.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, leadership, and community partners.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, manage timelines, and produce accurate work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to use and learn computer programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and APS-related systems.
• Commitment to person-centered planning, consumer choice, and self-direction.
• Ability to navigate complex situations with respect, clarity, and sound judgment.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Experience with legal or court processes related to APS work.
• Experience preparing reports, summaries, or recommendations based on case information or program data, demonstrating strong analytical judgment.
• Experience contributing to policy development, program planning, or quality improvement activities.
• Experience working in virtual environments and using MS Teams.

This job is classified as Washington Management Services 2 (WMS2).

DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources.

Interested? Please list 3 professional references’ current contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.

Questions? Please contact the Recruiter Jenny at bastrjl@dshs.wa.gov or 360-725-5810 and reference #02717. Learn more about DSHS.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work.

It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS.

We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Additional Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted.

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license.

Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810.

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