Arlington County Sheriff’s Office Hires a Quality Assurance Manager
Published on April 05, 2022
Sheriff Arthur announces the promotion of Mrs. Cristen Bowers, as the Quality Assurance Manager to oversee all Sheriff’s Office contracts. This position will oversee all contracts that provide direct services to the individuals remanded to Sheriff’s Office custody. Those contracts include (but are not limited to): medical, food service, phone system, and canteen. Mrs. Bowers has extensive knowledge of the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC), American Correctional Association (ACA), Prison Rape Eliminate Act (PREA), U.S. Marshals, etc. standards and accreditation standards. This position intends to ensure our contractors are providing the services contracted for and that they meet all accreditation standards which ensure we are providing the highest level of care/services. She will see that we work with Mediko to ensure we work to obtain National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) accreditation. In addition, the position will review any grievances as they relate to contract services and work to ensure all issues are reviewed/resolved. The initial focus will be working with Mediko regarding medical services/standards.
This position was funded at mid-year review per Sheriff Arthur’s request to the County Board and County Manager. “I am grateful that the County board recognized the need for this position and funded it. Mrs. Bowers brings 15 years’ experience in accreditation, working with contractors on accreditation standards and she will initially focus on medical services. She will focus on ensuring contract services/expectations, DOC standards, and accreditation standards are being met as they relate to contracts,” says Sheriff Arthur.
The Quality Assurance Manager analyzes data and identifies trends that impact service delivery and recommends policy and/or practice changes to improve outcomes. In addition, the position leads and supervises work related to obtaining and maintaining accreditation from federal and state accreditation agencies including NCCHC, ACA, and DOC.