Senior Configuration Quality Assurance Analyst

Job DetailsJob LocationMain Office - Santa Barbara, CARemote TypeFully RemotePosition TypeFull TimeEducation LevelBachelor's DegreeSalary Range$117904.00 - $176857.00 Salary/yearTravel PercentageNoneJob CategoryStrategic InvestmentDescriptionCentral Coast Salary Range - $117,904 - $176,857CenCal Health has a preference for local and California-based applicants, and is presently considering applicants residing in: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, for this role. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. and reside in one of these states at the time of application.Job SummaryThe Senior Configuration Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst plays a critical role in evaluating, planning, and testing configuration changes within CenCal Health's core business systems, including the Cognizant QNXT product suite. This position ensures that system configurations meet both business objectives and regulatory standards through close collaboration with internal teams and external vendor partners. Key responsibilities include developing and managing test plan strategies, designing and executing test scenarios, tracking and reporting testing progress, and documenting results. The analyst will also validate system modifications ahead of new process rollouts and maintain a database of identified defects. Additionally, this role involves analyzing and optimizing the testing tool's configuration to ensure effective setup and performance. Success in this position requires deep knowledge of healthcare enterprise systems, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.Duties and ResponsibilitiesSystem Configuration TestingDesign and manage testing timelines, processes, and QA best practices to support high-quality system configurations.Conduct comprehensive testing and maintenance of core systems to uphold business processes and ensure data integrity.Develop detailed test plans, execute test cases, and document outcomes to support traceability and accountability.Lead test plan review sessions with configuration teams and business stakeholders to align expectations and deliverables.Identify, replicate, and report system defects; verify fixes to maintain ongoing system reliability.Participate in post-production reviews to assess system performance and identify opportunities for improvement.Translate user and business requirements into structured testing plans that support organizational needs.Troubleshoot and resolve configuration-related issues to optimize performance and system functionality.Assess the need for testing tools, generate test data, and lead efforts to implement and configure relevant solutions.Create and manage performance test plans, test cases, and testing scripts for various system components.Continuously develop and refine testing scenarios for systems including but not limited to QNXT and MHK.Support the implementation of change and release management procedures for smooth transitions and upgrades.Work in collaboration with ITS to address defects related to integration and user testing scenarios.Produce and maintain comprehensive documentation for all business configuration applications.Establish and enforce policies and procedures to guide and support consistent business configurations.Partner with vendor and implementation teams on complex configuration changes during system rollouts.Build and maintain a robust internal knowledge base of configuration rules, test plans, templates, and scenarios to reduce long-term vendor dependency.Demonstrate subject matter expertise across key QNXT modules, including module integration.Provide guidance and recommend best practices for effective system configuration testing.Review functional design documents and business requirements to ensure strong quality controls are in place.Analyze application release notes, report vendor defects, and support upgrade initiatives.Propose configuration enhancements to streamline processes and improve system efficiency.Business Requirements AnalysisCollaborate with business units to interpret and analyze requirements for configuration changes.Translate these business needs into actionable, detailed test case scenarios.Align testing strategies to ensure system configurations meet strategic goals and operational requirements.Project ManagementLead QA efforts and contribute to configuration-related projects and implementations.Assist with developing project plans, providing resource estimates, and defining testing timelines.Monitor project status, manage risks, and ensure the timely delivery of key testing milestones.System OptimizationIdentify and recommend opportunities for improving system performance and overall efficiency.Conduct system audits and ongoing testing to validate configuration effectiveness and maintain optimal performance.Implement and promote best practices and standards for all configuration testing activities.User Support & TrainingDevelop training materials and deliver instructional sessions to support end-user understanding of configuration testing processes.Assist with creating user acceptance testing (UAT) materials, manuals, FAQs, and documentation.Collaborate with users to design and execute UAT plans that ensure configuration changes meet business intent.Compliance & SecurityEnsure all configurations comply with applicable regulatory standards and internal policies.Implement and monitor security protocols to safeguard sensitive system configurations and data.Support internal and external audits related to configuration and quality assurance processes.Continuous ImprovementStay informed on industry trends and advancements in QA and healthcare technology.Maintain a current understanding of healthcare systems, practices, and compliance requirements.Actively pursue professional development to enhance technical and analytical capabilities.Recommend and implement improvements to streamline QA processes and elevate testing effectiveness.Perform other duties as assigned.QualificationsKnowledge / Skills / AbilitiesIn-depth knowledge of healthcare IT systems, including Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Health Information Exchanges (HIE).Demonstrated expertise in configuration testing tools, test data generators, and related technologies.Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, combined with strong project management capabilities.Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills; able to collaborate seamlessly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.Proficient in SQL, scripting languages, and system configuration platforms.Well-versed in healthcare IT regulatory standards, such as HIPAA and other compliance frameworks.Strong functional understanding of healthcare operations, including claims processing, authorizations, eligibility verification, and clinical/administrative data sets (e.g., ICD-10, CPT/HCPCS codes).Skilled in managing multiple priorities, meeting tight deadlines, and leveraging technology to address business challenges.Detail-oriented with a proven ability to produce accurate, high-quality work, identify discrepancies, and implement timely resolutions.Education and ExperienceBachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline; relevant certifications such as PMP or ITIL are highly desirable.At least 8 years of experience in QNXT and/or MHK system configuration, quality assurance testing, or systems analysis-preferably within the healthcare industry.Hands-on experience in configuration testing, including unit testing, regression testing, and validation of system upgrades.Solid understanding of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and its application in systems configuration planning.Proven experience with release management and change control processes.Demonstrated success in supporting healthcare system implementations and testing initiatives aimed at process improvement.Strong background in technical issue analysis and resolution.Skilled in developing and documenting detailed test cases and comprehensive test plans.Prior experience working in a healthcare setting, especially within a managed care health plan, is preferred.