Quality & Operational Improvement Engineer - Quality Improvement Program

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

About The Position

This position assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates patient safety principles and practices throughout UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown (MCD). It supports the effective and efficient delivery of health services through quality operations and a systematic approach to identifying, designing, measuring, and monitoring patient safety. The role drives transformational change using continuous improvement methods, data-informed decisions, and cross-functional collaboration, aligning quality efforts with organizational priorities and strategic objectives. Through leadership and influence, the position fosters continuous improvement, accountability, innovation, and measurable results. The position works with the Director and Chief Quality Officer in the Quality Improvement Program under general supervision. It engages with MCD committees, workgroups, and local leaders, and collaborates across organizational levels to support quality and safety in a matrixed environment. The role also serves as MCD campus lead for DIAL surveys, coordinating logistics and document requests and partnering with system Accreditation Services on survey activities, responses, and plans of correction. Applicants must submit a current resume and a cover letter addressing how they meet the required and desired qualifications. The position is not eligible for University of Iowa employment-authorization sponsorship. Successful candidates must disclose conviction history and undergo a criminal background check; professional references will be requested later in the recruitment process. The posting remains open for at least 14 calendar days and may be removed and filled after that period.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a healthcare-related, business, or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
At least 3 years of quality hospital experience.
Experience collaborating with department and organizational leadership, with interpersonal skills to build effective relationships across organizational levels.
Strong executive presence and written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to influence outcomes across organizational boundaries.
Professional job-related experience fostering or promoting a welcoming and respectful work environment for people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Ability to analyze complex data and report metrics.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge of healthcare outcomes and experience with performance improvement methodologies.
Advanced analytical skills for evaluating complex data sets.
Experience working in an academic healthcare environment is strongly desired.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the council chair, establish agenda topics for the monthly Quality Improvement Committee of the Hospital Medical Staff (QICHMS).
Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, ethical conduct, and discretion when managing sensitive organizational information.
Review safety events attributed to assigned clinical areas and other areas as appropriate; ensure events are categorized correctly and assigned the correct level of harm.
Ensure reviewers provide appropriate incident-report follow-up documentation in the system before events are closed.
Lead effectively through change, anticipating and responding to evolving organizational, regulatory, and healthcare environments.
Participate in MCD committees and workgroups and build relationships with local leaders to support quality and safety efforts.
Consider the needs of the community hospital alongside system-wide planning and policies, including the importance of systemization and intentional variation.
Manage high-harm event reviews attributed to assigned clinical areas and other clinical areas as appropriate.
Lead the Patient Care and Safety Committee and the accreditation committee.
Present relevant data and education to leaders, providers, and staff.
Participate in Environment of Care rounds every other month and as needed.
Serve as campus lead for DIAL surveys by coordinating survey logistics, facilitating document requests, and partnering with system Accreditation Services on onsite activities, survey responses, and plans of correction.
Monitor organizational quality and safety performance data and collaborate with leadership to define and execute action plans addressing performance gaps.
Lead through influence and collaboration, communicating with and engaging stakeholders across organizational levels to achieve shared goals and sustainable results.