Program Specialist - Duke Quality Network

Duke Careers•Durham, NC

25d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together. The Duke Quality Network (DQN) provides support and expertise to achieve excellence in quality, safety, performance improvement, and regulatory alignment across affiliated hospitals and partners. The DQN advances high-reliability principles, strengthens clinical outcomes, enhances patient experience, and supports sustainable operational performance across the system. POSITION SUMMARY The Program Specialist, Duke Quality Network, provides comprehensive programmatic, operational, and administrative support across all DQN initiatives. This role supports the development, coordination, and deployment of quality, safety, performance improvement, and educational programs — including, but not limited to, the DQN Quality System. This position requires strong organizational capability, sound judgment, analytical thinking, and a proactive, customer-focused approach. The Program Specialist serves as a key operational partner to DQN teammates, leadership, and affiliated hospitals, ensuring that initiatives are well-coordinated, professionally executed, and aligned with strategic objectives.

Requirements

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program with one year of experience in program administration or event production.
Two years of postsecondary education with three years of experience in program administration or event production.
OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Strong organizational and project coordination skills
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint and Excel)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical ability
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment
Strong work ethic and accountability
Detail-oriented with commitment to accuracy and follow-through
Customer-focused approach with ability to anticipate stakeholder needs

Nice To Haves

Healthcare, quality, or network-based program support experience strongly preferred
Experience with expense monitoring and administrative systems preferred

Responsibilities

Coordinate and support implementation of initiatives across all DQN programs.
Provide operational support (logistics, materials and resources) including, but not limited to preparation for presentations, event planning, and coordination of Quality Oversight Committee and other quality committees, as applicable.
Provide administrative and operational support for deployment and sustainment of the DQN Quality System.
Serve as primary contact for continuing education activities including applying for CME credits, scheduling and program management of webinars, observerships, shadowing, and other relevant educational activities.
Track program milestones, timelines, deliverables, and follow-up actions to ensure successful execution.
Support quality oversight programs and affiliated clinical initiatives to ensure alignment with Duke standards and contractual obligations.
Monitor program status and proactively identify risks, gaps, or process improvement opportunities.
Exercise sound judgment in prioritizing competing demands and escalating issues appropriately.
Develop, format, and refine professional presentations for executive, clinical, and operational audiences.
Prepare briefing materials, meeting agendas, reports, dashboards, and summary documents.
Synthesize complex information into clear, concise written and visual communication.
Support preparation for DQN hospital presentations, leadership reviews, and committee meetings, including coordination of virtual meeting technology.
Plan and coordinate meetings, workshops, seminars, leadership forums, and network-wide events.
Manage email contact lists, complex calendars and scheduling across multiple stakeholders and institutions.
Coordinate venue arrangements (virtual and in-person), materials, communications, and participant logistics.
Ensure seamless execution of programs through proactive planning, attention to detail, and contingency management.
Assist with travel coordination and vendor engagement as appropriate.
Maintain liaison relationships with DQN hospitals, Duke University Health System departments, and external partners to advance program objectives.
Serve as a responsive, professional point of contact for program-related inquiries.
Demonstrate a strong customer-focused mindset, anticipating needs and ensuring a high level of service and follow-through.
Build collaborative relationships across interdisciplinary teams to support success.
Assist in preparation of budgets and monitor expenditures as appropriate.
Draft, proofread, and edit correspondence, memoranda, and formal communications.
Maintain documentation systems, shared files, and program records in accordance with organizational standards.
Prepare and process expenses, schedule meetings, and serve as partner/back-up to Administrative Specialist.