Quality Improvement HC Specialist 4 HX - Quality & Patient Safety - FT Days

About the Organization

UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals, and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties.

As Orange County’s only academic health system, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, an American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department, and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association.

Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County, and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research, and medical education.

About the Role

This role focuses on driving patient safety initiatives, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement within a large academic health system. The successful candidate will leverage expertise in patient safety principles, regulatory guidelines, and risk assessment methodologies to foster a culture of safety across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate teams in patient safety initiatives and adverse event management.
• Apply knowledge of healthcare regulatory standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, CMS) to ensure compliance and improve patient safety.
• Conduct root cause analyses and utilize risk assessment tools to identify and mitigate safety risks.
• Lead safety committees and initiatives, driving evidence-based interventions and process improvements.
• Analyze patient safety data to identify trends and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, from frontline staff to senior leadership, to cultivate a culture of safety and trust.
• Communicate effectively in a psychologically safe manner to enhance understanding, respect, and problem-solving.
• Exercise discretion in handling sensitive information, including patient records, employee data, and proprietary information, ensuring compliance with data protection policies and laws.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in healthcare administration, public health, nursing, or other relevant field.
• Extensive (5+ years) experience in patient safety, quality, regulatory, and/or risk management within a healthcare setting.
• Thorough knowledge of patient safety reporting systems and adverse event management.
• Expertise in conducting root cause analysis and utilizing risk assessment tools.
• Leadership experience in committees or work teams, with strong interpersonal and motivational skills.
• Excellent analytical skills to identify trends, analyze data, and implement evidence-based interventions.
• Ability to build and maintain a climate of trust and inspire commitment to a culture of safety.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Certification in patient safety, risk management, or quality improvement (e.g., Certified Professional in Patient Safety).

Benefits

We offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding, including:

• Medical insurance.
• Sick and vacation time.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Access to a number of discounts and perks.

For more details, visit the UCI Health benefits page.

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of a background check and Live Scan.
• Proof of legal right to work in the United States.
• Compliance with UCI’s vaccination policies, smoking and tobacco policy, and drug-free environment requirements.
• Adherence to policies on handling sensitive information, including patient records, employee data, and proprietary information.
• Disclosure of any prior employment misconduct or ongoing investigations as part of the hiring process.