Patient Safety Quality Specialist RN

Summary

The Patient Safety Quality Specialist RN supports the organization's commitment to continuous quality improvement as an approach to assess and improve the quality of healthcare services. They serve as a change agent to lead, facilitate, and partner with the workforce to create and sustain a culture of safety.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(20%)* Works with departments to mitigate the immediate risks to patients as a result of human or systems errors through various cause analysis approaches. Also provides proactive support through the tracking, trending and identification of systems opportunities that lead to patient harm, in addition to leading efforts for systems improvement to prevent such harms.

(20%)* Proactively collects and reports data and opportunities for patient safety, quality, and regulatory initiatives as needed. Oversees the event reporting process and ensures timely investigative follow up of all responsible managers, analyzes trends/patterns in the event reporting data and reports findings to leaders as well as various teams and committees as deemed necessary by the organization. Works with departments to assist with changes in processes, policies, and workflows based on cause analysis findings. Monitors progress of changes at regular intervals to ensure effectiveness and sustainment of interventions.

(20%)* Serves as a resource in conjunction with management regarding applicable Joint Commission standards as they relate to patient safety and requirements and other compliance regulations. Facilitates the development of strategies to remain compliant with all regulatory requirements and assists with developing and revising policies and procedures as needed.

(20%)* Rounds routinely in clinical care departments to assess and address quality, risk reduction and patient safety activities/concerns. Follows up with department managers and leadership regarding patient quality and safety concerns as noted during rounding.

(10%)* Participates/leads entity, regional and system quality and patient safety committees, teams, workgroups and huddles. Serves as a quality and patient safety consultant to various other committees, teams and workgroups to ensure integration of quality and patient safety work across the continuum of care.

(10%)* Facilitates and supports implementation of patient safety and quality program and just culture initiatives and assists with coordination of education for staff and clinicians as needed.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

Facilitates teams to address opportunities for improvement as identified in the quality and patient safety data warehouses. Coordinates the development of evidence based, standardized care practices and performance improvement activities to achieve a high quality and highly reliable care delivery system. Plans, prepares, and coordinates presentations and educational opportunities for new employees and providers regarding quality, risk and patient safety strategies.

Facilitates compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state quality assurance and performance improvements requirements by coordinating, organizing and communicating appropriate information to designated committees and leadership. Leads initiatives for high priority opportunities as identified by leadership.

Serves as a liaison for claims and legal counsel that may require case review and file development.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Certifications and Licensures

BLS: Basic Life Support

Within 1 month of hire or transfer

RN: Registered Nurse

Required Education

Bachelor's degree required

Master's degree in Nursing preferred. Additional Quality/Patient Safety certifications preferred.

Other Information

Experience Training And Skills

Three to five (3‑5) years of clinical experience.

Familiarity with variance reporting tools and processes and a working knowledge of key safety/regulatory organizations and accreditation standards in healthcare (TJC, IHI, etc…)

Ability to monitor quality, take initiative to proactively reduce risk.

Problem‑solving techniques / expertise, interpersonal and customer service skills, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to speak in a public forum.

Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals and groups and interact with people at all levels to communicate ideas and concepts in a clear and understandable manner.

MyMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft® Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.

Physical/Mental Requirements And Typical Working Conditions

Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death.

Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.

Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description.

Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).

Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.

Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.

Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.

Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.

Physical Demand Level: Light. Must be able to occasionally (0‑33% of the workday) lift or carry 11‑20 lbs., frequently (34‑66% of the workday) 10 lbs. and or Walk/Stand/Push/Pull of Arm/Leg controls.