Improvement Specialist Intermediate - Quality Department (UPMC Carlisle)

UPMC•Carlisle, PA

1h•Hybrid

About The Position

Coordinates QI activity and supports various functions within the Quality Improvement Program, working both independently and as a team member. The functions include but are not limited to education and improvement initiatives, committee support, regulatory and accreditation standard adherence, delegation oversight, performance monitoring and assessment, clinical practice guideline management, data collection, abstraction and analysis and the continual advancement of the quality improvement process.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Business Administration or related field required at time of hire/transfer
Minimum 5 years of related experience with 3 years of hospital and/or healthcare experience required
Knowledge of information systems and process improvement techniques
Must be able to demonstrate skills to understand and interpret data
Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families
Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment
Exemplary critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care
Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others
UPMC approved certification required
If the employee does not have a UPMC approved certification, a Master's degree may be substituted in lieu of certification
Act 34

Nice To Haves

Hospital experience is preferred
Master's degree in Business Administration preferred

Responsibilities

Collect and share data with key stakeholders. Involves chart review, reporting in EPIC and/or various data platforms
Support Med Staff Services physician performance evaluation work
Regulatory preparation
Attend meetings and support committees related to performance improvement and patient safety
Coordinate Physician Performance Evaluation Committee twice a month
Support various pay for performance programs such as HighMark
Review and follow-up on RiskMaster event reports and coordinate follow-up as necessary
Ensure that clinical design projects maintain patient care as the center of the work
Influence staff acceptance of recommended practice changes by articulating the contribution to clinical improvements established patient care goals
Seek out and integrates cost saving opportunities into clinical practice changes
Consult with essential stakeholders such as administrative and medical staff leaders, department heads and critical committees as appropriate to finalize and advance the project goals
Establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, medical staff leaders and other support areas
Elicit input and advisement in areas where clinical design project work is occurring
Form a partnership with the director of the project area, facilitate work activities and negotiate additional support as needed
Assess developmental stage of work group and identifies strategies to meet achieve goals
Coach and advise team members collaboratively with their supervisor as needed to fulfill their role in a project team
Effectively communicate improvements that are made via verbal or written communication of clinical design activity to work teams, staff, managers and administrators throughout the organization and UPMC Health System
Ensure application of a tracking method to monitor progress towards goals and identifies the need for redesign of practice improvements targeted by the clinical design initiative
Collect and present accurate, timely data to display the results of process improvement efforts
When assigned, complete special projects and performs other related duties according to agreed upon goals and parameters
Utilize cost effective approaches when planning team activity
May have direct reports
Effectively coordinate the assessment of new clinical design projects for implementation at the facility or facilities as assigned
Conduct yearly assessment of operations/issues and utilizes data from other organizational assessments and surveys to contribute to and prioritize the establishment of quality, cost and service goals of the organization
Lead or co- facilitates teams created from the annual assessment and organizational goals
Assume a leadership role in the core clinical design team meetings and other key committees
Assume delegated leadership role/related duties as needed to support redesign efforts
Create a supportive environment in the department where redesign work is occurring that is sensitive to the issues and needs of that area
Role models appropriate and effective methods for data analysis, problem solving, communication negotiation and persuasion skills
Maintain accountability for ongoing self-development activities, especially related to presentation facilitation, change management and application of quality improvement activities
Provide mentorship for individuals at the department/unit/team level
Participate in professional organization activities to enhance personal growth and cultivate relationships in the field at a regional and national level
Communicate clinical design efforts and accomplishments via formal presentations and or publications at local, regions and national forums when available