Improvement Specialist - Patient Safety

UPMC•Erie, PA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

UPMC Hamot, a Magnet-designated hospital, is seeking a full-time Improvement Specialist to join their Patient Safety team. The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of five years of clinical nursing experience, with preferred experience in compliance and process improvement. Acute care experience is strongly preferred. In this role, the Improvement Specialist will support and drive quality and performance improvement initiatives that align with the health system’s strategic goals and key quality metrics. This position collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across the organization to improve patient outcomes, enhance patient safety, and promote high-quality care delivery. Key responsibilities include the development, implementation, and evaluation of performance improvement initiatives, analysis and review of trended quality data, and collaboration with departments across the organization in a positive, team-oriented environment. The Improvement Specialist will work closely with patient safety and quality teams to support continuous improvement and sustain high-quality outcomes throughout the organization. Title and salary will be determined based upon education and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Business Administration or related field required at time of hire/transfer
5 years of related experience required
Minimum of five years of clinical nursing experience
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
Mobility and visual manual dexterity
Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Business Administration preferred
Preferred experience in compliance and process improvement
Acute care experience is strongly preferred
UPMC approved national certification preferred

Responsibilities

Effectively coordinate the assessment of new clinical design projects for implementation at 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.
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.
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.
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.