Market Vice President of Patient Safety

About the Role

This position is responsible for oversight and guidance of Patient Safety and Risk Management initiatives throughout the North Carolina Division. The Market Vice President of Patient Safety will manage and coordinate patient safety and risk management initiatives to support the market strategic plan and goals, meeting HCA quality objectives and standards. Key areas of focus include:

• Clinical excellence and patient safety
• Systems thinking and reliable design
• Identification and mitigation of patient safety risks
• Safety culture advancement and patient safety education
• Measurable reduction in avoidable harm
• Risk management and claims activities
• Process improvement and outcomes management
• Regulatory readiness (CMS Conditions of Participation, AHCA, The Joint Commission)
• Project management, including the annual Patient Safety Program

This role requires occasional travel and temporary placement in hospitals needing quality leadership. The position coordinates closely with the Market VP Quality and the Market Chief Medical Officer to ensure facility compliance with regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the growth of division and hospital knowledge regarding patient safety, risk management, quality, and clinical performance, including disseminating “best practices” across the market.
• Lead market-wide standardization in targeted process improvement initiatives and evaluate success through pre-established criteria.
• Support facility responses to Serious Safety Events (SSE).
• Drive proactive patient safety activities to create high-reliability organizations, reducing errors and eliminating unsafe processes.
• Contribute to business and financial goals through optimal division performance in quality and patient safety.
• Collaborate with hospital quality, risk, safety, and infection prevention leaders to achieve top rankings in national and state publicly reported data initiatives.
• Analyze market quality and risk performance data, planning steps for ongoing improvement.
• Support data analysis, reporting, and outcomes improvement in collaboration with the Market VP Quality.
• Enhance division quality reporting methods and dashboards.
• Monitor and evaluate quality outcomes for patient care, identifying trends and prioritizing improvement opportunities.
• Ensure data is reported to approved third parties (e.g., Leapfrog, VON, NHSN, NCDR & STS databases).
• Facilitate and/or lead clinical process improvement teams to achieve quality improvement goals.
• Stay current with NQF, AHRQ, Leapfrog, IHI, and other quality performance initiatives.
• Support Patient Safety Directors with knowledge of the Serious Event Analysis process and preparation for regulatory agency presentations.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and optimal patient care.
• Attend HCA-mandated training and meet all ethics and compliance standards.
• Develop and implement division-level projects as directed by the Market CMO and Market VP Quality.
• Serve in a Quality and Patient Safety Leadership role in an interim capacity across hospitals in the market.
• Support hospital leadership with onsite activities, including safety rounds, safety huddles, regulatory rounds, and quality meetings.
• Promote consistent positive patient interactions to advance unparalleled patient service.
• Adhere to the “Code of Conduct” philosophy and “Mission and Value Statement.”
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (required).
• Master's degree (MHA, MBA, MSN, or related field) (preferred).
• 4+ years of leadership experience in a clinical and quality improvement setting in an Acute Care Hospital (required).
• Management experience (required).
• Previous experience within a multi-facility environment (preferred).

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Registered Respiratory Therapist (required).
• Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) (must obtain within 1 year of hire date).
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) (preferred).

Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain long-term customer relationships, building trust and respect.
• Ability to facilitate group and team process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of management, clinical, and IT&S staff.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Initiative and ability to work independently while handling multiple priorities.
• Strong leadership, creativity, and excellent communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
• Working knowledge of healthcare laws and regulations.

Benefits

HCA Healthcare offers a total rewards package supporting health, life, career, and retirement, including:

• Comprehensive medical coverage with low copay or no-cost services, including prescription drug and behavioral health coverage, free telemedicine, and free AirMed medical transportation.
• Dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts.
• Supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity).
• Auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, and long-term care coverage.
• Moving assistance, pet insurance, and more.
• Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing.
• 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service).
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with 10% off HCA Healthcare stock.
• Family support through fertility and family-building benefits (Progyny) and adoption assistance.
• Referral services for child, elder, and pet care, home and auto repair, event planning, and more.
• Consumer discounts through Abenity and other programs.
• Retirement readiness, rollover assistance, and preferred banking partnerships.
• Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships).
• Colleague recognition program.
• Time Away From Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability, and leaves of absence).
• Employee Health Assistance Fund offering free employee-only coverage based on income.

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.