Vice President, System Quality & Patient Safety

At Houston Methodist, the Vice President for System Quality and Patient Safety position is responsible for the accomplishment of the system strategic direction and operation objectives of Houston Methodist System Quality and Patient Safety. This position will report to the System Chief Quality Officer to implement clinical quality and patient safety activities for the Houston Methodist system. This position is responsible for continuous improvement of patient safety, quality, analytics, system accreditation, infection prevention and process engineering in the care delivered. The Vice President for System Quality and Patient Safety position is committed to advancing healthcare quality and safety by focusing on improved outcomes and efficiencies, increased capacity, and provision of safe, timely, cost-effective, patient-centered care. This position will be involved with and support the design, roll out, implement, audit and sustain the qualifications across the system for collaborative high reliability. Utilizes data driven measures across the organization to develop programs to improve the quality and safety of care. With an ever-changing, fast paced healthcare environment, the Vice President for System Quality and Patient Safety position guides future-focused transformation through strategies and tools such as evidence-based practices and standardization; the use of data analytics to achieve effective and efficient operations; and flexibility in promoting quick adaption to opportunities or changing needs for optimal patient outcomes.

This position reports directly to Executive leadership in the organization and has responsibilities which include providing management and oversight of multiple areas and entities, as appropriate, and driving Houston Methodist's mission, vision, values and commitment to excellence. Demonstrating a proven record of successful strategic planning, developing long-range goals and implementation, this position manages a diverse, interprofessional team, collaborating with stakeholders to achieve mutual goals. Directly and indirectly overseeing management staff with the goal of enhancing professional development and personal growth, this position forms and leads internal teams, providing training and mentorship as needed. This position collaborates with all senior leadership to meet the organization's objectives, ensuring operational initiatives are implemented, setting business goals, and solving internal issues when needed. Responsible for the assigned areas' policy and procedure development, revision, and implementation. This position is also accountable for employee engagement, adequate staffing levels, budget development and compliance, to ensure a safe and effective work environment. This position ensures compliance with ethical and legal business practices and accreditation/regulatory/government regulations.

Requirements:

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides direction to management team to enable the effective and efficient completion of objectives. Gives timely guidance and feedback to direct report management to strengthen their specific knowledge/skill areas needed for progression. Holds direct reporting management team accountable for the development of staff to meet overall objectives in terms of quality, service and cost effectiveness.

• Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one's area and other departments to achieve business goals. Works collaboratively with stakeholders to foster a climate of open communication and mutual problem-solving.

• Develops efficient organizational structures within scope of assignment. Provides leadership for management team to maintain a competent and engaged employee group and provides recognition/commendations to achieve desired outcomes. Drives initiatives to meet or exceed threshold goal for department turnover and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.

• In collaboration with the Chief Quality Officer (CQO), provides quality performance improvement consultation to hospital service lines.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and implements strategic and operational/high level projects and processes. Sets clear goals, priorities and objectives for the direct report management team. Oversees multiple departments' operations and designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame, providing guidance to management team to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.

• Drives HM service standards and activities to impact system score for patient/customer-based satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability. Responsible for the overall successful operation of the direct report management team.

• Drives collaboration across the organization to identify needs and develop scalable solutions. Prioritizes objectives and implements strategies to achieve organization initiatives as part of the executive leadership team. Delegates responsibilities to direct report management, providing guidance and direction, as appropriate.

• Serves as a key partner for medical staff and administrative leaders to achieve goals and advance the vision for clinical excellence and the effective use of resources through CQI.

• Works collaboratively with IT, hospital and clinic leadership and medical staff leadership to ensure performance data is analyzed, communicated and routinely provided in accordance with achieving goals.

• Improves data monitoring tools and metrics for analyzing and reporting data to enhance quality initiatives including the development of dashboards for key quality improvement initiatives.

• Engages and supports leadership in developing process improvements based on best practice, standards, and regulations, in partnership with Lean Transformation Leaders and clinical/support operations.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews levels of service and significant trends that impact the effectiveness of delivering patient care, critical operational objectives, or other key components within the organization. Ensures that management teams are conducting root cause analyses, as appropriate. Proactively guides management to identify prevention/risk avoidance opportunities and implements continuous improvement plans.

• Monitors and ensures organizational compliance with federal, state and local safety and environmental regulations and standards as well as accreditation requirements. Ensures direct report management monitors and/or revises the departments' safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines.

• Proactively approaches the optimization of safe outcomes and information systems by monitoring, improving and enhancing operations, identifying solutions via collaboration. Oversees the implementation of process improvements, utilizing tools such as lean and change management principles. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety.

• Ensures all external data submission is accurate, complete, and timely for external reporting.

• Leads and supports the effort to develop a culture of safety with the goal of becoming a Highly Reliable Organization with a goal of zero harm.

• Participates in organizational intensive assessments and root cause analysis reviews with the CQO/CPE to identify system issues.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures departments' operational and capital budgets align with organization's strategic plan. Uses benchmark data to support performance, costs and return on investment.

• Drives the maximization of efficiency and productivity. Leverages relationships with vendors and partners to obtain contracts that support cost-efficient operations and maintenance.

• Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement, functioning as a champion of change.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops long-range goals and strategic plans. Deploys data and research to drive cross-business organization prioritization.

• Maintains acute awareness of market and industry trends. Implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve system operations. Represents HM at community or professional organization meetings.

• Drives change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.

• Initiates and executes succession plans. Conducts conversations with direct report management on their My Development Plan (MDP).

• Contributes to the institution knowledge of the latest trends, practices and state-of- the-art technology as applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION

• Master's degree in related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Ten years of directly related experience to include leading high-performing teams, of which seven years in a people management role; may consider current HM employee with six years of people management experience in healthcare

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• REQUIRED

• RN

• Registered Nurse

• Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 60 days OR

• RN-Temp

• Registered Nurse

• Temporary State Licensure within 60 days

• appropriate license, if in clinical role

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially about activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Strategic vision with the ability to execute

• Demonstrated leadership presence and maturity

• Impeccable judgment and ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic setting

• Executive-level presentation skills and ability to interface successfully with high-level clients

• Demonstrates the ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization

• Ability to use appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one's own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved

• Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative and effective interpersonal skills and oral/written communication skills

• Ability to identify and understand issues, problems and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences

• Extensive knowledge of regulatory and accreditation agency requirements that impact department; stays abreast of industry changes

• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace

• Capable of leading teams/facilitating groups, building consensus and garnering highest confidence in professionalism and work product by senior leadership

• Ability to work under pressure and balance many competing priorities; highly responsive and solution/action oriented

• Proficiency in spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software

• Maintains a positive and supportive attitude and demeanor

• Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information

• Broad knowledge of modern health care administration, systems, practices and principles

• Skill in initiating change and innovation and ability to be recognized as a positive change agent

• Effective human relations abilities to effect collaborative alliances and promote teamwork and ensure a high level of internal and external customer satisfaction and engagement

• Ability to succeed in a complex environment where decision-making may be diffuse and ambiguous

• Ability to develop a large high performing staff, establish performance standards, and transition staff through organizational change, with an emphasis on the ability to recruit and manage a culturally diverse workforce

• A high degree of professionalism and competency dealing with a variety of individuals including physicians, senior executives, hospital administration, and external constituents

• Skill in preparing operating and capital budgets

• Ability to be a dynamic and empowering leader who possesses a positive attitude to instill a vision for excellence with innovation and creativity

• Conflict management and resolution skills

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No

• Scrubs No

• Business professional Yes

• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*

• Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call

• Yes

TRAVEL

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist is one of the nation's leading health systems and academic medical centers. Houston Methodist consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston area. Houston Methodist also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities. Overall, Houston Methodist employs more than 27,000 employees and is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide high quality patient care.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor - priority referral Protected Veterans requested.