Patient Safety Specialist

About the role

Under the direction of the Director of Quality, the Patient Safety Lead will participate in the implementation, review, and support of the facility patient safety program. The lead will support Patient Safety Specialists in their work with patient care teams to achieve high quality and the best possible outcomes, serve as a subject matter expert in patient safety, and collaborate with hospital and ministry leadership to develop, implement, monitor, and champion processes related to key patient safety issues. The role includes modeling just‑culture behaviors, reporting, flexibility, and learning across the organization, working with organizational leaders and multidisciplinary teams to identify resources for patient safety improvement projects, and performing duties consistent with Mercy’s mission, values, and Service Standards.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the implementation, review, and support of the facility patient safety program.
• Support Patient Safety Specialists in their work with patient care teams to achieve high quality and optimal outcomes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in patient safety.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and champion processes related to key patient safety issues in collaboration with hospital and ministry leadership.
• Model behaviors that embrace just culture, reporting, flexibility, and learning across the organization.
• Work directly with organizational leaders and multi‑disciplinary teams to identify resources needed to support patient safety improvement projects.
• Perform all duties in a manner consistent with Mercy’s mission, values, and Mercy Service Standards.

Requirements

• Education: Clinical or other healthcare‑related field required (e.g., nursing, respiratory therapy, physical/occupational therapy, health administration, public health).
• Licensure: None required.
• Experience: 7 years of clinical healthcare experience, with at least 2 years in a patient safety or quality role and management experience in a healthcare organization.
• Certification/Registration: Certification in Patient Safety (e.g., Certified Professional in Patient Safety) or quality (e.g., Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience: Previous patient safety, performance improvement, or risk management experience preferred.
• Certifications: Certification in patient safety (e.g., CPPS‑Certified Professional in Patient Safety) or quality (e.g., CPHQ‑Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) preferred.
• Open to candidates with a background in all modalities; RN preferred.

Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven leadership ability.
• Knowledge of complex hospital and healthcare systems, processes, and quality/performance improvement.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
• Effective change agent.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Knowledge of the internet, evidence‑based medicine, analytical skills, and good clinical inquiry and investigational aptitude.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint