RN - Suicide Mortality Review Nurse Abstractor in Phoenix, AZ

Program Overview

The Suicide Mortality Review (SMR) Program, within the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Office of Fatality Review, conducts multidisciplinary reviews of suicide deaths to identify system gaps, risk factors, and prevention opportunities. The SMR Program integrates data from medical, behavioral health, and social service systems to inform policy, programs, and community-based prevention efforts. The Nurse Abstractor plays a vital role in this process by collecting and synthesizing comprehensive data from multiple sources to create accurate, de-identified case narratives for committee review, and providing in-meeting expertise.

Position Summary

The Nurse Abstractor supports the Suicide Mortality Review Program by abstracting, organizing, and synthesizing data from multiple sources including but not limited to medical, behavioral health, law enforcement, and social service records related to the suicide death. The position ensures information is accurately represented and de-identified in the case narrative to guide review committee discussions and inform actionable public health recommendations. All work is conducted using a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and person-centered approach that reflects respect and empathy for decedents and their families.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities
• Case Abstraction: Review, extract, and summarize data from medical, behavioral health, social service, autopsy, and law enforcement records. Identify and document key life circumstances, system interactions, and risk and protective factors related to the decedent’s experience.
• Case Narrative Development: Develop comprehensive, de-identified case summaries suitable for multidisciplinary committee review. Use trauma-informed and culturally responsive principles when drafting narratives that honor the individual’s story and context.
• Data Management and Quality Assurance: Enter abstracted data into secure databases in compliance with ADHS and HIPAA requirements. Participate in quality control and peer review to ensure consistency, completeness, and accuracy of data.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with the SMR Program Manager, Epidemiologists, and Office of Fatality Review team members to prioritize cases and prepare materials for review meetings. Support committee functions by providing accurate and concise summaries for case discussion.
• Confidentiality and Compliance: Maintain strict confidentiality of all case materials. Adhere to ADHS protocols, state confidentiality statutes, and federal privacy regulations.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
• Knowledge of suicide prevention frameworks, behavioral health systems, and social determinants of health.
• Strong written and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise narratives.
• Cultural humility and sensitivity in working with diverse populations.
• Familiarity with medical and behavioral health terminology.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication within a multidisciplinary remote team.

Qualifications
• Registered Nurse Clinical Licensure (RN, LPC, APRN)
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Behavioral Health or a related field.
• 2 years of applicable clinical experience. Behavioral Health preferred. Demonstrated experience in medical or behavioral health record abstraction.