Program Aide

Texas A&M University System•College Station, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Aide performs comprehensive quality reviews of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) documentation submitted by healthcare facilities to identify gaps in the RCA process, including documentation of findings, causal analysis, and action planning steps. The specialist provides consultative feedback to facility RCA teams to improve patient safety outcomes through more effective event analysis and corrective action development. This role supports the organization's Patient Safety Organization (PSO) functions and ensures RCA submissions meet established quality standards based on nationally recognized methodologies.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, nursing, public health, quality improvement, or related field.
3 years’ experience participating in Root Cause Analyses in a healthcare setting.
Knowledge of Root Cause Analysis methodology, including the Five Rules of Causation and Action
Knowledge of patient safety principles and systems-based approach to error prevention
Ability to analyze complex healthcare events and identify system vulnerabilities
Strong critical thinking and analytical skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to provide constructive feedback in a non-punitive manner
Knowledge of healthcare regulatory requirements related to patient safety and event reporting
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data management tools
Ability to work independently and manage multiple review assignments
Ability to maintain confidentiality of protected patient safety work product

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in healthcare administration, public health, or related field
Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) or Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
Experience with VHA National Center for Patient Safety RCA methodology or NPSF RCA2 Methodoloy
Training in human factors engineering principles
Experience working with Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs)
Knowledge of The Joint Commission sentinel event requirements

Responsibilities

Conduct RCA Quality Reviews
Review RCA submissions using the RCA Quality Analysis Tool (QAT) and established evaluation criteria
Evaluate RCA team composition for multidisciplinary membership and appropriate subject matter expertise
Assess initial and final flow diagrams for completeness, chronological order, and identification of information gaps
Review initial and final understanding narratives for comprehensive event depiction
Evaluate cause and effect diagrams for proper causal chain development
Evaluate Causal Analysis and Action Plans
Assess root cause/contributing factor statements for compliance with the Five Rules of Causation
Verify statements use the cause, effect, event cadence and avoid blame-focused language
Evaluate action statements for specificity, system-focus, and strength using the Action Hierarchy
Review outcome measure statements for quantifiable metrics, timeframes, and realistic thresholds
Ensure actions are assigned to titled positions with reasonable implementation timeframes
Provide Consultative Reports and Feedback
Prepare written RCA Consultative Reports documenting review findings, commendations, and recommendations
Identify areas for improvement in RCA process team factors, thoroughness of work, and action planning
Communicate recommendations clearly using established templates and guidelines
Track and trend common gaps across facility submissions to identify systemic improvement opportunities.
Maintain Knowledge and Support Program Development
Stay current on RCA best practices, including VHA NCPS guidelines, Joint Commission standards, and RCA² methodology
Assist with development and revision of RCA training materials and guidance documents
Support facility education on RCA methodology and quality improvement
Coordinate with PSO Director on RCA findings.