Director, Clinical Quality

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical quality programs and performance improvement initiatives aligned with organizational goals and national benchmarks (CMS, Leapfrog, Vizient, Joint Commission).
• Oversee quality outcomes, including patient safety, infection prevention, sepsis performance, mortality, and other key quality metrics.
• Analyze and communicate quality data to drive measurable improvement across clinical and operational areas.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements and lead survey readiness activities.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing leaders, and frontline teams to strengthen quality and patient safety outcomes.
• Support CMS reporting programs, electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs), and quality data integrity efforts.
• Develop and mentor quality team members while fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.

Qualifications

• LEVEL OF EDUCATION: Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS); Bachelor’s degree in nursing or clinical related field Preferred: Master’s degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS); Master’s degree
• CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Required: California Registered Nurse (RN) License; CPHQ certification Preferred: Six Sigma or Lean Green or Black Belt certification
• Technical Requirements: Intermediate proficiency in computer applications (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook); knowledge of specific improvement methodologies including root cause analysis, failure modes and effects analysis, rapid cycle improvement, LEAN Preferred: Knowledge of Six Sigma/DMAIC
• Years Of Related Work Experience: Required: 2 years of patient care experience, 3 years quality management experience, and 5 years of Performance Improvement experience

About Us

Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, CA, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion. Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first. We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.

Cottage Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cottage Health applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, transgender, gender expression and identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status or any other classification protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of the relationship between Cottage Health and an applicant or employee. Cottage Health is committed to upholding discrimination-free hiring practices. We strive to cultivate an environment where exceptional people bring diverse perspectives and find belonging, support and connection to their work.

If you're already a Cottage Health employee, please apply on this link only.