Quality Improvement Specialist I - Quality Outcomes - Full Time

About the role

The Quality Performance Improvement Specialist I (QPIS I) oversees and facilitates quality improvement and patient safety activities while serving as a hands-on improvement leader. This role supports the administration of organizational quality programs and quality-of-care improvements through facilitation, advising, advocacy, and the coordination of data collection/aggregation and actionable analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate clinical and operational quality improvement initiatives aligned with organizational and strategic objectives, using improvement methodology to achieve intended outcomes.
• Maintain current best-practice understanding in quality and patient safety; assess gaps between current state and best practice; recommend process changes that impact quality and safety.
• Routinely evaluate indicators and report to stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement; develop and/or direct ongoing performance improvement initiatives and standardize practices.
• Collect, compile, coordinate, and aggregate data to support quality programs; mine new/existing systems and processes for actionable data and act where appropriate.
• Perform retrospective chart audits and medical record analysis for key quality metrics and identify improvement opportunities in clinical and/or documentation processes.
• Analyze performance metrics to identify trends or root causes; prepare reports and formal presentations of results and present to appropriate committee(s).
• Maintain thorough understanding of regulatory, accreditation, quality reporting, and national quality standards/strategies; interpret quality standards and stay current with evolving requirements.
• Participate in regulatory and survey activities including Joint Commission and CMS surveys; provide primary support and lead Leapfrog action planning and survey completion.
• Facilitate and lead clinical improvement teams to identify, plan, implement, and sustain change using relevant quality tools and timelines; apply PDSA and other tools appropriately to improve care and services.
• Coordinate and/or facilitate quality governance committees within the governance structure (agenda support, minutes/records as applicable).
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., patient safety, informatics, clinical systems, case management, regulatory compliance, population health, value-based reimbursement, policy management, clinical service departments and leaders) to develop and implement improvement projects supporting quality initiatives and concerns.
• Respond to requests for explanation from payors related to quality-of-care letters/clinical concerns as appropriate.
• Provide direct supervision to assigned quality staff as applicable (assign work, review work, performance management/evaluations) and promote an engaged, healthy work environment emphasizing growth and development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (e.g., Project Management, Process/Performance Improvement, Health Implementation, Data Analytics, Systems Science, or related healthcare field).
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) within 3 years.
• Licensure/certification in a healthcare-related field may be required (e.g., RN or other licensure/certification as applicable).

Skills

• Demonstrated project management, analytical, organizational, audit, computer, communication, and customer service skills.
• Quality improvement experience in healthcare and demonstrated execution of quality improvement projects addressing quality-of-care concerns.
• Clinical knowledge/experience may be required depending on assignment (source references inpatient acute care experience).
• Ability to facilitate multi-disciplinary teams, produce written/verbal reports, and lead change initiatives aligned with organizational mission/values.

Other Expectations

• Travel for this position is sometimes required.
• Participation in community and employee engagement activities is required.
• Actively participates to move the team toward the completion of goals.
• Always exhibits a high degree of professionalism and decorum consistent with Guthrie values.
• Makes procedural or process suggestions for achieving team goals or performing team functions; provides necessary resources or helps to remove obstacles to help the team accomplish its goals.
• Listens to and fully involves others in team decisions and actions; values and uses individual's differences and talents.
• Shares important or relevant information with the team.
• Builds a positive team by helping and supporting coworkers, patients, vendors, and partners.
• Works actively to resolve conflicts.
• Restates the opinions of others to clarify understanding.
• Presents information effectively in a variety of settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports, and superiors.
• Listens actively and is open to feedback. Provides fair and constructive feedback to others.
• Keeps team members and customers adequately informed.
• Displays original thinking and creativity to generate suggestions for improving efficiency and effectiveness.
• Meets challenges with resourcefulness and solution orientation.
• Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
• Tries new approaches when problem-solving, seeking ideas or suggestions from others as appropriate.