Improvement Advisor

Partnership HealthPlan of California•Santa Rosa, CA

2h•$103,060 - $133,978•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Manager of Performance Improvement, the Improvement Advisor is uniquely positioned to drive improvement across Partnership, our provider network, and the communities we serve. The Improvement Advisor will work internally and externally with provider practices and community partners to identify, plan, and facilitate quality improvement projects. Via individualized facilitation, this position will coach and train improvement teams to build team members’ quality improvement (QI) skills, develop their organizational capacity for QI work, and help them meet their specific QI goals. In addition to working directly with improvement teams, the Improvement Advisor will join Partnership’s Performance Improvement training team, and will facilitate workshops and learning collaborative sessions on topics such as improvement methodology, QI measurement, process improvement, project management, and change management.

Requirements

A Master’s degree strongly preferred or a Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or public health and 4 years of experience or 10 years of relevant experience in lieu of degrees.
Proven ability to apply improvement methodologies such as the Model for Improvement, Lean, or Six Sigma (Partnership uses the Model for Improvement as the foundation for most of our QI work).
Understanding of improvement measurement and analysis using run charts (trending data over time), and making decisions based on this data.
Experience doing rapid-cycle testing (PDSAs).
Valid California driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance compliant with Partnership policy are required to operate a vehicle and travel for company business.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Good organization skills to work on multiple projects simultaneously within established timeframes.
Ability to plan, implement, and report on quality management projects, and hold peers and superiors accountable to project deliverables and timelines.
Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with Partnership provider network and different Partnership departments.
Ability to teach and coach diverse health care staff on quality improvement and practice transformation.
Ability to lead interactive, skills-based training.
Skilled at facilitation, consensus building, and identification of concrete action steps.
More than 50% of work time is spent in front of a computer monitor.
Periodic travel to provider locations and in-person meetings is required.
When necessary, the ability to lift, carry, or move manuals and reports, weighing up to 25 lbs.
Must be able to work in a fast paced environment and maintain courtesy and composure when dealing with internal and external customers.
Provide the highest possible level of service to clients;
Promote teamwork and cooperative effort among employees;
Maintain safe practices; and
Abide by the HealthPlan’s policies and procedures, as they may from time to time be updated.

Nice To Haves

Practice coaching and/or practice improvement experience is desired.
Experience working in primary care, safety-net clinics, and/or with vulnerable populations is desired.
Special knowledge of primary care transformation tactics, such as building blocks, panel management, team-based care, access improvement, etc. is desired.
Relevant certifications desired.

Responsibilities

Coach provider practices. Specific work will be based on the practice’s needs and may include: Facilitate team formation and advise on meeting hygiene and project management; Help team develop project charter, including development of a clear aim statement measurement set and change ideas; Work with team to test change ideas and implement and sustain successful changes; Model and teach key components of the Model for Improvement; Help team create a data collection plan and learn to track their data over time; Provide data analytics training and support; Provide project management training and support; Work with practice’s leadership team on QI infrastructure development, staffing, etc.
Contribute to development and direction of the QI Department’s Performance Improvement training arm – the Partnership Improvement Academy: Participate to improve current programs and develop future work; Lead endeavors both as a coach and a project manager.
Train provider network on QI Basics and other QI topics: Work with QI Department leadership to identify provider network training needs and develop appropriate trainings; Create and deliver select training curriculum, in person at learning sessions and remotely via webinar; As needed, collaborate with expert consultants to design and implement provider trainings and other learning opportunities.
Lead strategic organization-wide initiatives.
Collaborate with QI Analysis team to evaluate data to identify barriers and opportunities for improvement.
Works directly with leadership team to develop effective, high quality projects and programs of moderate to high complexity with a major impact to department and the organization.
Develops and utilizes standard formats for routine correspondence and maintains a prioritized list of projects.
Design, build, and test pilots. Scale, spread, and then hand-off pilots to project or program managers.
Stay informed on key developments in the quality improvement field that impact our provider network, including patient-centered medical home certification criteria, meaningful use, primary care transformation best practices, and quality reporting requirements.
May mentor and provide guidance to Partnership staff in development and execution of QI or broader continuous improvement projects, as assigned by leadership.
Train and/or coach on improvement methods and tools, and facilitation/coaching skills needed by staff to inform their own work.