PATIENT SAFETY OFFICER

Independence Health System • Greensburg, PA

315d

About The Position

The Patient Safety Officer will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the development of comprehensive patient safety improvement initiatives to reduce medical errors and healthcare incidents at Independence Health System. The incumbent has a current understanding of patient safety theory, methods, standards and regulatory requirements along with a commitment to life-long learning to maintain expertise within the field of patient safety. The position provides leadership and expert consultation in the development and oversight of programs that strengthen a patient safety culture and create a safe environment for providing patient care.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and two (2) to three (3) years of related medical or surgical experience.
• Graduate of accredited nursing program.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Experience with Quality tools such as failure mode effects analysis, root cause analysis, and SWOT analysis.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook and Excel.
• Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania required.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Health Care Quality Professional preferred.
• Certified Professional Patient Safety preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the Patient Safety Program system wide.
• Provide leadership and expert consultation in the development and oversight of programs that strengthen a patient safety culture and create a safe environment for providing patient care.
• Participate in the review of the Patient Safety Plan and applicable policies and procedures.
• Member of the Independence Health System Patient Safety Committee and be responsible for presenting cases to the committee, including action taken as a result of the investigation.
• Answer calls 24/7 for Patient Safety and serve as coverage to Patient Safety Officer when necessary.
• Participate in both formal and informal proactive risk assessment as it relates to patient safety.
• Monitor compliance with the National Patient Safety Goals.
• Work collaboratively with executives, administrators, doctors, and clinical nursing staff members to develop effective strategies that supports the culture of safety within the organization.
• Ensure clinical services are delivered in compliance with federal and state safety standards.
• Educate staff, volunteers, practitioners, and the community related to patient safety, accreditation and licensure.
• Develop lesson plans, course content and materials for programs.
• Present or facilitate presentation of materials to appropriate audiences.
• Coordinate the investigation of potential near misses, incidents, serious events and sentinel events in conjunction with the Chief Quality Officer.
• Receive and review Compliance Line reports to determine potential events needing further review and investigation.
• Participate in weekly Patient Safety workgroups and present potential cases for review.
• Facilitate investigation of events with department managers, medical staff and other leaders.
• Work to establish a blameless and supportive environment, which balances a non-punitive response to human error, with the appropriate level of accountability for reckless behavior.
• Participate and coordinate root-cause analysis as needed.
• Provide written notification to patients for serious events as defined by Act 13.
• Complete on-line reporting via PA-PSRS for serious events.
• Participate actively in the coordination and readiness activities related to the Joint Commission accreditation and Department of Health licensure survey.
• Assist in conduction of pre-survey activities including mock surveys or safety rounds.
• Serve as consultant on site to managers, staff and medical staff related issues related to patient safety.

Benefits

• Equal Employment Opportunity policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree