Performance Improvement Engineer - Level 1 Trauma

This position collaborates with the Trauma Program Manager and Trauma Medical Director to monitor and collect quality outcome and process measures, supporting analysis and reporting of quality and patient safety data. The role focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating system and patient care improvements specific to the trauma population, promoting evidence-based practices, and reducing medical errors.

Responsibilities

• Identify clinical outcomes and process compliance trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Prioritize and recommend improvements based on systematic review and analysis of safety event reviews, root cause analyses, patient care issues, quality outcomes, and process data.
• Identify risks and trends, prioritize action plans, recommend improvements, and oversee the development of interventions.
• Collaborate with Trauma Program leadership to support interdisciplinary teams in improving trauma patient safety and clinical quality.
• Mentor and train clinical leaders, providers, and frontline staff to collect, trend, and analyze data for monitoring clinical and operational processes.
• Provide guidance and facilitate cooperation among physicians, clinicians, administration, allied health, and support staff to enhance patient safety and clinical quality.
• Support the trauma registry and optimize data utilization for performance improvement activities, trends reports, and research.
• Conduct daily reviews of trauma patient care for compliance with care guidelines and policy.
• Enter quality metrics into the trauma registry and collaborate with the Trauma Program Manager to note trends.
• Work closely with trauma and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to support coordination, evaluation, and sustained implementation of clinical improvement activities.
• Educate interns, nurses, paramedics, and nursing assistants on trauma guidelines and documentation requirements to meet state and national quality standards.
• Support trauma research priorities and participate in ongoing research and professional development.
• Collect and analyze data for evidence-based projects to ensure compliance with American College of Surgeons Level 1 Trauma requirements.
• Review trauma charts to ensure complete and timely documentation and adherence to quality standards.
• Work with trauma and emergency medicine faculty, residents, and interns to ensure protocol compliance for trauma patients.
• Mentor and educate fellows, residents, and medical students on the continuum of care for trauma patients.
• Educate nursing personnel on evidence-based practices and provide feedback to all providers working with trauma patients.
• Abstract data from Epic and/or the trauma registry and present it to interdisciplinary trauma staff.
• Seek clarification for situations that appear not to meet standards and provide constructive feedback.
• Report concerns about patient care and conduct to the Trauma Medical Director.
• Support and promote improvements in clinical care as issues are brought forward by service line members.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of nursing experience in a trauma-based setting.
• Current license to practice professional nursing in the state of Iowa.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage small and large group interactions.
• Demonstrated proficiency with electronic medical records, including reporting functions.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks, establish priorities, and meet tight deadlines in complex and sensitive situations.

Desired Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of related experience with data abstraction and/or analysis of clinical data.
• Previous experience with performance improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability in public speaking.
• Demonstrated knowledge of incorporating evidence-based practice techniques in a healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of quality improvement and/or patient safety practices.
• Knowledge of University policies, procedures, and regulations.

Benefits

• Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa.
• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation and sick leave.
• Health, dental, life, and disability insurance options.
• Generous employer contributions into retirement plans.

For more information on benefits, please visit: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits/employee-benefits.

Pay

Pay Grade: 5A

Schedule

• 100% time, 40 hours per week.
• 40-hour week with a 30-minute lunch.
• Location: UI Main campus.