PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST

Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics • Colfax, WA

4d • $41 - $71 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Quality, the Performance Improvement Specialist provides project management and analytic support for Whitman Hospital & Medical Clinics’ quality improvement program. The position captures, records, validates, and reports data for performance improvement initiatives, and leads development and implementation of process improvement initiatives approved by the Senior Director of Quality.

The specialist supports quality data management, analysis, reporting, and project coordination; facilitates organization-wide performance improvement work; and leads the WHMC Performance Improvement Committee. The role also supports ACO and value-based program reporting, collaborates with clinical and operational partners to improve value-based care performance, and provides designated cross-coverage for Infection Prevention/Employee Health and the Senior Director of Quality. The position is primarily office-based, may involve irregular hours, weekends and on-call responsibilities, and may require travel to off-site locations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related healthcare discipline, Healthcare Informatics, or Public Health.
• At least 3 years of experience in an acute care or clinical setting involving data management, data analysis, and quality improvement, including direct process improvement experience.
• Experience using facilitation tools and techniques, such as agenda planning, group facilitation, decision-making, brainstorming, and task prioritization.
• Experience working with an electronic health record or similar data set.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, SQL, or other statistical software.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification within 2 years.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in EMR documentation build, mapping, and interfaces.
• Lean Management/Six Sigma training, or ability to obtain it within 2 years.
• Master’s degree in a healthcare discipline, Healthcare Informatics, Statistics, Healthcare Administration, or Public Health.
• Project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Review source data and results for accuracy and validity; develop quality checks to ensure data integrity.
• Facilitate, test, and maintain electronic data feeds, and maintain knowledge of data requirements and specifications.
• Trend and analyze key performance metrics; manage data for team review and help develop and maintain reports and dashboards.
• Update and report results to stakeholders using spreadsheets, charts, statistical programs, SQL reports, and other reporting software.
• Communicate the progress of performance improvement initiatives to leadership and translate result interpretations into recommendations for action.
• Abstract and analyze clinical care from complex medical record systems as requested.
• Help develop data collection and reporting procedures for quality improvement initiatives.
• Lead timely WHMC quality data submissions for reporting programs, including OQR, IQR, PI, MIPS, MBQIP, The Rural Collaborative, and Washington State Hospital Association programs.
• Collaborate with clinical teams and leaders, informatics, providers, vendors, and executive leadership to optimize value-based care metrics, validate data exchange, close care gaps, and maximize shared savings potential.
• Manage ACO and value-based program quality reporting activities and disseminate results to leadership in support of regulatory compliance and benchmark achievement.
• Assist with planning, defining, and testing measures; developing and documenting data or automated collection processes; validating data; and improving collection methods.
• Facilitate interdepartmental and interdisciplinary performance improvement teams.
• Coordinate QAPI projects, including identifying team members, scheduling meetings, compiling status reports, assigning responsibilities, monitoring progress, and determining project evaluation data and analysis needs.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, delivery requirements, and timelines.
• Manage CMS quality data reporting programs, including measure selection and compliance with government regulations.
• Lead the WHMC Performance Improvement Committee.
• Provide designated backup to Infection Prevention/Employee Health during absences or peak volumes.
• Assist Clinical IT with electronic medical record workflows, data reporting, data analysis, and other requested duties.
• Serve as a resource to leadership for data collection and reporting, and assist with the Senior Director of Quality’s surveillance responsibilities during absences.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis, Failure-Mode-and-Effects Analysis, gap analysis, and risk assessments as requested.
• Maintain knowledge of CMS Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals and applicable Washington State hospital licensure requirements, codes, and statutes.
• Promote a positive working environment, communicate and collaborate effectively, provide operational updates, support procedures and staff training, act as a subject matter resource, follow applicable regulations and organizational policies, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Retirement options, including 403(b) and 457 plans.
• Medical insurance coverage begins on the first day and is available to full-time and part-time employees.
• Discounts on medical services provided by Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics.
• PTO plan with accrual that can increase with each year of service.
• Shift differentials for evening, night, and weekend shifts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level