Safety, Quality, Experience (QuEST) Program Manager - Innovation Fund - FT - Day

Stormont Vail Health•Topeka, KS

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Manager, Safety, Quality, Experience and Teamwork (QuEST) provides clinical leadership for assigned departments to ensure safe, high quality, patient centered care. This role coordinates multidisciplinary services, advances process improvement initiatives, and strengthens Professional Governance, education, and provider and team member collaboration. They conduct proactive rounds to promote Safety, Quality, Experience, and Teamwork, supports the organization's high reliability journey, and analyzes departmental and experience related data to drive positive outcomes. Guided by Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring and the principles of Professional Governance, the Program Manager partners closely with department leadership to implement best practices and enhance patient and team member experience across Stormont Vail Health.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Required
3 years Nursing experience in an acute care setting Required
1 year Leadership experience, including informal leadership roles (Professional Governance) Required
Active RN license (Kansas or Compact State) Required
Excellent customer service skills
Proficient communicator (verbal/written)
Strong educator/mentor
Analytical skills (data review/presentations)
Collaborative and adaptable
Detail-oriented (safety/quality focus)
Patient experience expertise
Process Improvement, Lean Management skills
Teamwork and leadership skills
Computer proficiency (EHR, data tools)

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration Preferred
1 year Patient experience work Preferred
Certified Professional in Patient Safety, Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality or Clinical Nurse Leader certification Preferred

Responsibilities

Conduct “QuEST” rounds with patients and team members, assessing and discussing safety, quality, experience, and teamwork.
Evaluate compliance with Stormont Vail Health policies and protocols governing patient care.
Identify and proactively address safety, quality and experience concerns during rounds, escalating issues to prevent adverse events.
Provide hands-on education to patients and staff on best practices, safety protocols, and quality initiatives including NDNQI.
Accountable for working with physicians and staff to continuously re-evaluate as needed to maintain high quality of care standards.
Collaborate with department leaders and patient experience teams to share observations and recommend improvements.
Collect, compile, and analyze safety, quality and patient experience data; conduct in depth reviews with stakeholders to identify performance gaps, barriers, and improvement opportunities; provide evidence based guidance to advance best practices and improve patient outcomes; and ensure accurate entry of required information into national registries and databases as directed.
Serve as a subject matter expert in patient experience, leading efforts to improve survey scores and satisfaction.
Champion high reliability principles, fostering a culture of safety, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Provide direct patient care as needed, modeling best practices and supporting staff in delivering safe, high-quality, compassionate care.
Acts as a resource to all members of the health care team related to the provision of care, safety, quality and experience.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and participate in safety and quality initiatives, leveraging data and frontline feedback.
Document and report findings from rounds, ensuring timely communication with leadership and relevant teams.
Functions as a member of an integrated multidisciplinary professional team and is an active participant in various department, service line and system level meetings/committees/councils related to safety, quality and experience.
Participate in committees or workgroups related to safety, quality or patient experience.
Assist with onboarding and training of new staff regarding safety, quality and experience principles.
Support special projects or initiatives as assigned by leadership.
Maintain professional development and stay current on best practices in patient experience and quality improvement.
Facilitate communication between Information Systems and patient care teams to resolve Epic user issues by way of representation with Super User Oversight Committee (SUOC) and Physician Superuser Oversight Committee.
Demonstrates knowledge of the Kansas State Nurse Practice Act and follows the statues and regulations therein.