Centene logo
Centene
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Quality Improvement Coordinator - Behavioral Health

Behavioral HealthFull-Time

Listed compensation

$33.71-$60.67/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 58m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Position Purpose

Analyze, develop and monitor clinical QI activities to ensure compliance with customer expectations and lead clinical quality initiatives. Review clinical information for appeals to determine medical necessity of services, prepare reviews for cases, act as the liaison for appeals and fair hearings.

Develop and implement the quality program description, work plan goals including applicable Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures and program evaluation (trilogy documents) for behavioral health

Lead Behavioral Health Performance Improvement Projects (PIPS)

Review clinical information for appeals to determine medical necessity

Prepare cases for appeals that do not meet medical necessity

Maintain files, logs, documentation including communication in accordance with National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and State standards and regulations including timelines

Investigate and resolve behavioral health quality of care complaints and grievances

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all policies and standards

Education/Experience:

Associate's Degree in Nursing or other related field of stud required

2+ years in Clinical Nursing or Behavioral Health required

1+ years experience in Quality, Managed Care or Healthcare Administration required

Experience in Behavioral Healthcare field preferred

Licenses/Certifications

Registered Nurse (RN) certification, Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHC), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) required.

Pay Range: $33.71 - $60.67 per hour

At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday.

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules.

Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act

Key Responsibilities

The Quality Improvement Coordinator analyzes and monitors clinical quality initiatives to ensure compliance with customer expectations and regulatory standards. They also review clinical information for appeals, manage behavioral health quality complaints, and lead performance improvement projects.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an Associate's Degree in Nursing or a related field and possess at least two years of clinical nursing or behavioral health experience. Additionally, a valid Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHC), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) certification is required.

Qualifications

Education
Associate degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical quality improvementNCQA complianceAppeals processingMedical necessity reviewGrievance resolutionRegulatory compliance

Behavioral Health Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Louisiana is 88.2 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$98k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $111k in an average-cost state. 60.8% of Louisiana clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 43% are remote, 20% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

What does the Behavioral Health market look like in Louisiana?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$70k–$126kBehavioral Health median $44k (middle half $40k–$48k)109 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$111k in purchasing powerLouisiana index 88.2 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Behavioral Health listings in Louisiana13 active2,053 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 43% remote · 20% no call · 70% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Behavioral Health pay trend+8.9% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Centenesilver tier, 78/100Top Employers work-life index41 active listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Healthcare Admin Jobs

23 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

23 jobs · 18 employers
10
<$100k
6
$100k-125k
4
$125k-150k
3
$150k-175k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

19 jobs · 18 employers
401k / retirement match
100% this job
Sign-on bonus
26%
CME allowance
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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$51.42-$82.29/hr
#2

Physician Relations Team Manager

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#3

Physician Relations Team Manager

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#4

Behavioral Health Utilization Review Specialist

$91k-$130k
+ 21 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

2.8/ 10
Listing-based score
Centene logo

About Centene

Hospitals and Health Care
Saint Louis, MO
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Health insurance
401K and stock purchase plans
Tuition reimbursement
Paid time off plus holidays
Flexible work schedules (remote, hybrid, field, or office)

Living in Baton Rouge

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$237k
Typical market rent
$1,301/mo
Residents’ average commute
21 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
90.8
State income tax
Up to 4.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Baton Rouge, LA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.