Continuous Improvement Specialist

UC Davis Health · Sacramento, CA · 1 wk ago

ManagementFull-time

This role focuses on facilitating improvement initiatives, supporting and evolving systems that enable better ways of working, and partnering with teams to design practical solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, and knowledge sharing. The position works closely with leaders, staff, and cross-functional teams to identify root causes, test and refine ideas, and strengthen the infrastructure that supports improvement and change. Additionally, the role contributes to the development and delivery of hands-on learning experiences that build capability in continuous improvement tools and practices, helping embed a culture of problem-solving and learning across the organization.

Responsibilities

60% - Facilitate Improvement and Change Initiatives: Partner with teams to identify challenges, create structure in complex situations, test and implement solutions, and strengthen continuous improvement infrastructure.
25% - Design Systems & Tools that Support Improvement: Develop and manage systems, workflows, and technology-enabled solutions to improve coordination, tracking, and knowledge sharing.
15% - Education, Communication & Awareness Building: Contribute to capability-building efforts, including designing and facilitating workshops, learning experiences, and communication strategies to promote engagement and adoption of improvement practices.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, organizational behavior, organizational management, healthcare administration, or related field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience/training in healthcare.
Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience facilitating groups, leading projects, supporting organizational change, or improving operational effectiveness.
Demonstrated experience facilitating teams, committees, workgroups, projects, or improvement efforts involving multiple stakeholders.
Experience using digital tools and technology to support collaboration, workflow management, communication, documentation, or knowledge sharing.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate group discussions and collaborative problem-solving efforts with diverse teams and stakeholders.
Ability to create structure, clarity, and forward momentum in ambiguous or complex situations.
Demonstrated ability to lead work through influence rather than authority, fostering engagement, ownership, and collaboration.
Ability to analyze information, identify patterns, and translate complex situations into practical and actionable next steps.
Proven ability to organize and advance work from concept through implementation while balancing structure with adaptability.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and create engaging materials that support learning, awareness, and action.
High emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, shared learning, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
PROSCI Certification.
Experience working in a large, complex organization such as healthcare, higher education, government, or other matrixed environments.
Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives involving multiple departments, stakeholder groups, or organizational levels.
Experience designing, implementing, or improving systems, workflows, knowledge management practices, or technology-enabled solutions that improve how work is coordinated, tracked, or shared.
Experience coaching leaders, teams, or project groups through change, problem-solving, or improvement efforts.
Experience leading or supporting operational, organizational, or process improvement initiatives.
Experience supporting the implementation and sustainment of new processes, systems, or ways of working.
Experience designing and facilitating workshops, learning experiences, or development opportunities for adult learners.
Experience developing communication strategies, presentations, visual materials, or storytelling approaches that promote awareness, engagement, and adoption.
Working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and tools such as Lean, Six Sigma, A3 thinking, process mapping, root cause analysis, or similar structured problem-solving approaches.
Familiarity with organizational development, change management, team effectiveness, organizational effectiveness, or human-centered design principles.
Knowledge of healthcare operations and the challenges associated with supporting clinical, operational, and administrative teams.
Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness in developing practical solutions to organizational and operational challenges.
Strong learning agility and ability to quickly understand new environments, systems, and business needs.

About the Department

UC Davis Health is a nationally recognized leader in high-quality, patient-centered care, located in the Greater Sacramento area of Northern California. UC Davis Health includes a Comprehensive Cancer Center, internationally recognized MIND Institute, and a nationally ranked pediatric hospital. The UC Davis acute care hospital has 646 beds and serves an ambulatory care area spanning 33 counties across 65,000 square miles.

The Department of Pharmacy is a dynamic and integral part of patient care at UC Davis Health. With over 600 professional, technical, and administrative support personnel, the department focuses on patient-centered medication management to optimize outcomes through practice, education, research, and leadership. It operates the largest pharmacy residency program in the country, with 46 residents across 13 programs. The department provides comprehensive pharmaceutical services 24/7, including inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services, clinical pharmacist support in clinics, infusion pharmacies, home infusion services, and full pharmacy purchasing, stores, and distribution.

This position reports to the Chief Pharmacy Officer and serves as a key resource in advancing continuous improvement and organizational effectiveness across the Division of Pharmacy Services. The role involves partnering with the Director of Pharmacy Continuous Improvement to facilitate initiatives, design systems, and develop solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, and knowledge sharing. The position collaborates with leaders and cross-functional teams to identify challenges, test solutions, and strengthen continuous improvement infrastructure, while also contributing to education and capability-building efforts.

Pay

Salary range: $3,375.47 – $6,210.72 biweekly.

Schedule

Full-time (100% time).
8-hour shifts; schedule may vary based on operational needs and may include day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
100% on-site at the Sherman Way Building (HSP056).

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans (UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family).
Retirement plans, including pension and retirement savings options.
Supplemental insurance: life, short/long-term disability, pet, legal, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
Paid leave: pregnancy/parental leave, family & medical leave, adoption assistance, and pay for family care and bonding.
Lactation support program and family care discounts.
Employee well-being resources and programming.
On-site Employee Assistance Program with free mental health services.
Paid holidays and generous paid time off/vacation/sick leave.
Continuing education allowance and staff education reimbursement program.
Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer and student loan debt counseling program.

Physical and Mental Demands

Physical Demands

Standing: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Walking: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Sitting: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
Lifting/Carrying (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Lifting/Carrying (26-50 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Pushing/Pulling (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Pushing/Pulling (26-50 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Bending/Stooping: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Squatting/Kneeling: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Twisting: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Reaching overhead: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
Keyboard use/repetitive motion: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.

Mental Demands

Sustained attention and concentration: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
Complex problem-solving/reasoning: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
Ability to organize and prioritize: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
Communication skills: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
Numerical skills: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
Constant interaction: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
Customer/patient contact: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
Multiple concurrent tasks: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.