Quality & Patient Safety Specialist

The Quality & Patient Safety Specialist plays a key role in supporting the development, implementation, management and sustainment of an organization-wide system of quality and safety. Working with the Quality & Patient Safety team and organizational cross-functional teams, the Quality & Patient Safety specialist will support activities to strengthen the culture of safety with the goal of improving the reliability of a complex system. Staff in this role are responsible for supporting a portfolio of system-level quality/process improvement projects from project scope and design, process redesign, implementation testing, performance metric management, and sustainment plans.

Demonstrates progressively independent project management skills, including logistics such as project timelines, agenda development, minutes and documents, slide decks and preparation of reports on project status and activities to various audiences; Participates in development, implementation and evaluation of programming to promote and advance the BMC Culture of Safety, and utilizes this as the basis for decision making to support the hospital’s mission and goals. Has a working knowledge of patient safety science, IHI model for improvement, lean or other improvement methodologies and tools. Uses the incident reporting database to identify trends and opportunities to improve patient safety. Participates in follow-up action plans required to minimize patient safety risks, including risk surveys and assessments of various departments, services and systems. Ensure effective data management for assigned quality improvement projects. Has knowledge of measurement framework, and participates in the design, development and implementation of data collection tools. Oversees and conducts data analytics and data integrity. Provide support and consults to multidisciplinary teams engaged in the development, implementation and evaluation of quality care initiatives and/or patient safety improvement work Mentors Quality & Patient Safety Associates. Interacts with and supports education for a wide variety of personnel throughout BMC, and maintains positive, collaborative, supportive working relationships with the all medical staff, nurses, administration, department management and staff. Maintain awareness of legislative and regulatory activities related to quality and patient safety to ensure compliance with regulations concerning patient care, including those mandated by state, federal agencies and compliance with the Joint Commission risk management standards. Actively participates in Joint Commission readiness preparation and surveys, and other surveys as guided by the department leadership. Periodically reports on quality and patient safety matters and prepare reports for department and committees. Other duties as assigned by Director ,Quality & Patient Safety or Executive leadership of Quality and Patient Safety.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

Job Requirements

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.  Graduate degree (Masters) preferred.
• Concentration in nursing, science or other healthcare related field, public health preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

RN, allied health degree preferred, CPHQ and/or CPPS preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• With RN certification - Requires 3-5 years of clinical care/healthcare experience. Minimum 1 year in patient safety/quality improvement/risk management.
• Without RN certification - Requires 3-5 years of clinical care/healthcare experience..  Minimum of 3 years' relevant work experience in quality and patient safety required in lieu of degree/license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA):

• Demonstrated knowledge and use of patient safety science, quality improvement methodologies / tools.

• Must have interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively with a administrative and clinical leadership, staff, Clinical Chairpersons, and other healthcare professionals.

• Ability to effectively interview individuals and groups from diverse professional backgrounds.

• Maintain strictness confidentiality of information.

• Ability to collect event information and organize into a coherent narrative.

• Highly self-motivated. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to work deadlines.

• Ability to inspire trust and be seen as someone who provides support and assistance.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent presentation skill including ability to speak before large audiences and prepare and provide Power Point presentations.

• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office; ability to learn new computer applications such as adverse event reporting software.