Quality & Operational Improvement Engineer- Pharmacy

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

67d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Operational Improvement Engineer is responsible for leading and executing quality and operational improvement initiatives within the Department of Pharmaceutical Care. This role supports the department by managing multiple strategic, mission-critical projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. Key responsibilities include facilitating process improvement efforts, implementing standardized reporting and audit structures, and providing expert consultation to drive measurable outcomes aligned with departmental goals.

Requirements

A Master's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.
Iowa Board of Pharmacy registration as Pharmacy Support Person is required prior to commencement of employment.
1-3 years' experience in performance improvement initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and work independently.
Experience in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
Experience analyzing and manipulating data to support decision making and process improvement.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and data analysis tools.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

3-5 years' experience in healthcare performance improvement initiatives.
Specific training and certification in performance improvement techniques (LEAN or Six Sigma).
Professional certification related to healthcare quality and/or project management (CPHQ, ASQ, PPM, PMP).
Previous clinical experience in an academic medical center.
Familiarity with regulatory requirements relevant to pharmacy operations (e.g., The Joint Commission, DEA, CMS, USP, Iowa Board of Pharmacy).
Knowledge of University of Iowa policies, procedures, and regulations.
Ability to work with and coordinate with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, organization, and management of multiple departmental projects of varying scope and complexity.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with project leads, pharmacy leadership, nursing, informatics, and quality improvement teams to ensure alignment and effective communication.
Aggregate and communicate project statuses regularly, ensuring all deadlines and milestones are met.
Identify risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate potential impacts.
Ensure compliance with standards of care, regulatory requirements, quality assurance, and safety protocols.
Assist in process validation for new workflows, technology implementations, and automation initiatives.
Utilize Key Performance Indicators and data-driven methodologies to track improvement activities and project success.
Create and maintain value stream maps using Visio to visualize and optimize workflows.
Implement and sustain LEAN tools and methodologies to drive continuous improvement.
Collect and analyze financial and productivity data to inform quality and process enhancements.
Design and implement structures to evaluate and improve departmental quality and operational processes.
Support readiness for internal and external audits, including Board of Pharmacy, The Joint Commission, and DEA
Promote team engagement, enthusiasm, and focus through effective leadership and communication.
Contribute to strategic planning and implementation efforts that support departmental and organizational objectives.
Provide training to management and staff on quality tools, LEAN strategies, and continuous improvement practices.