Sterile Processing Quality Improvement Specialist

About the role

Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field or industrial engineering; master’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience. Four years of experience in a healthcare setting, including at least three years in quality improvement, process improvement, change management, or related areas.

Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration

• Certification in Health Care Quality (CPHQ), Six Sigma, or another health quality certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates performance by assessing workflow efficiency, staff competency, resource utilization, safety, and compliance.
• Develops and facilitates implementation of improvement plans using the IHI Model for Improvement and LEAN methodologies.
• Works with select departments to identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement.
• Analyzes data for patterns and trends in care delivery; performs root cause analysis for patient care trends and critical events (e.g., Root Cause Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis). Translates data into actionable information to drive change.
• Disseminates and displays data using performance improvement tools such as run charts and histograms; maintains trended reports and summaries of key findings.
• Translates findings and outcomes into recommendations for early intervention, health/disease management, new programs, workflow improvements, and operational enhancements; assists in facilitating changes based on data.
• Ensures staff have the education and resources needed to support change initiatives.
• Keeps administration, staff, and providers informed of performance relative to targets and the evidence base for measures; shares information via corporate meetings, flyers, email, SharePoint, and personalized training sessions.
• Collaborates with teams to increase the number of practices/providers recognized by NCQA for Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), Diabetes, Heart and Stroke, and other programs; supports maintenance of existing recognition status.
• Documents and reports improvement activities internally and externally as appropriate.
• Highlights results and accomplishments of quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrates problem-solving, leadership, conflict management, and team-building skills to foster a productive work environment and achieve goals.
• Aligns efforts with other departments to advance shared objectives.
• Collaborates with leadership and staff to create policies and procedures that ensure high-quality care and minimize patient harm.
• Attends meetings, conferences, and trainings related to continuous improvement.

Skills and Qualifications

• Knowledge of quality improvement concepts, methods, and tools (e.g., PDSA, rapid-cycle improvement, LEAN, Six Sigma, reliability principles) and change management experience.
• Proficiency with computer systems and applications.
• Familiarity with medical terminology, medical records, and clinical care processes.
• Experience using system design, reengineering, reliability, quality improvement, process mapping, project management, data management, and statistical analysis techniques.
• Ability to apply an evidence-based approach to multidisciplinary quality improvement work.
• Skilled in team development and facilitation, including leading group processes and negotiation.

Work Environment

• Clean, well-lit, and comfortable setting.
• Frequent contact with staff and others.
• Subject to frequent interruptions and moderate noise levels.
• Work may be stressful at times; involves varying and unpredictable situations.
• May require adjustments to work schedules and locations to meet departmental needs.

Physical Requirements

• Standing: 0% to 35%
• Walking: 35% to 65%
• Sitting: 65% to 100%
• Bending: 0% to 35%
• Reaching with arms: 35% to 65%
• Finger and hand dexterity: 65% to 100%
• Talking and hearing: 65% to 100%
• Seeing: 65% to 100%
• Lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling: up to 20 lbs. (frequent), up to 50 lbs. (occasional), up to 100 lbs. (rare)