Safety & Quality Specialist

The Safety & Quality Specialist reports to the Senior Manager, Safety and Quality. Implements and evaluates all aspects of an integrated Patient Safety Program.

Plays a key role in the development and nurturing of a culture of safety throughout the organization including all satellite programs. Drives the organization's commitment to continuous quality improvement as an approach to assess and improve the quality of healthcare services. Evaluates the facilities for patient-safety issues and facilitate necessary.

Coordinates performance improvement and patient safety initiatives as well as provides guidance, education, and assistance in the development, implementation and measurement for assigned projects, performance improvement initiatives and patient safety events. Collaborates with the other members of the Department of Patient Safety, Quality, and Process Improvement to promote and ensure the movement toward a culture of safety. Primary functions include, but are not limited to the following areas:

QUALITY & SAFETY MONITORING

Using the Event Reporting System, monitors adverse events and near misses on a daily basis. Plays an integral part in the TeamSTEPPS teamwork initiative.

Performs root cause analyses and case reviews. Uses PDSA cycles and other Performance Improvement modalities to drive improvements in safety and quality. Identifies high risk areas and works with team to implement initiatives to address risk areas.

Identifies potential regulatory risks. Works with team to implement initiatives to mitigate these risks. Uses Lean and basic Six Sigma skillsets to drive transformation and quality and safety. Uses statistical process control charts to track data and identify priorities and initiatives.

PATIENT SAFETY ADVOCATE/CLINICAL ROLE MODEL

Develops strong, positive relationships with all members of the teams. Successfully integrates patient safety principles into current and future practice.

Supports the clinical teams participating in the initiative by facilitating briefings and debriefings.Ensures that briefings, debriefings and other elements of team communication occur. Remains current with national standards of practice and safety issues and disseminates pertinent patient safety information. Facilitates or assists in providing team training educational sessions.

Brings patient and staff patient safety and quality of care concerns to appropriate clinical forums.Participates in clinical performance improvement meetings. Oversees, participate and/or collaborate in initiatives related to creating a culture of accountability for medical error reporting. Observes processes/practices in the designated areas.

CLINICAL OUTCOME MONITORING

Collects and reports project metrics as required. Facilitates the administration of the safety culture survey to all staff.

Collaborates with staff to identify adverse events and near-miss occurrences. Maintains a database of observations, briefings and debriefings. Ensures that there is a database maintained of issues identified at RCA's and/or FMEA as well as plan(s) of correction.

Assesses the documentation of all charts reviewed and collaborates with leadership on plans for improvement. Utilizes dashboards and reports to monitor key criticalperformance measurements and drives utilization of dashboards.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

Supports the quality and safety improvement initiatives around the organization by coaching, mentoring, organizing, and managing the work to ensure success. Works with the front line clinicians to educate and support activities and initiatives related to quality and safety.

Is a felt presence on the clinical units to provide just-in-time teaching regarding quality and safety and handling of adverse events. Leads and organizes safety huddles. Coaches staff in the use of PDSA and other Performance Improvement modalities.

Acts as a Lean Coach across the organization. Mentors clinicians in the principles and practice of quality improvement.and safety and process improvement including mentorship for improvement initiatives.

COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION / OTHER PROJECTS

Participates in the Hospital Quality and Safety Committee. Participates in implementation and evolution of electronic medical record to ensure organizational priorities for quality and safety are properly mapped into electronic medical record. Participates in implementation and evolution of other relevant IT implementations that relate to quality and safety and performance improvement.

Education Required: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required.

Education Preferred: Master's Degree in Business or Nursing preferred.

Experience Required: Five (5) to seven (7) years' experience of clinical nursing in relevant area is required.

One (1) to three (3) years of performance improvement experience in a healthcare setting required.

Experience Preferred:

Experience in Lean Six Sigma strongly preferred

Two (2) to three (3) years experience working with complex systems issues such as case management or

utilization review is preferred.

Experience with teaching and curriculum development preferred.

LICENSE and/or CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Current State of Connecticut Registered Nurse licensure required and maintained thereafter

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Healthcare regulatory compliance RCA, FMEA and/or cluster investigation techniques

SKILLS:

Project management skills, including the ability to identify stakeholders, plan steps, coordinate and allocate resources to accomplish goals and objectives in a timely manner.

Leadership skills, including comfort with decision-making responsibilities, Coaching, teaching, and counseling skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

ABILITY TO:

Inspire and build confidence in others and to forge alliances and garner support

Effectively persuade and negotiate