Specialist I: Quality, Safety and Patient Relations (Temporary, Part-Time)

Pagosa Springs Medical Center•Pagosa Springs, CO

11d•$18 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Quality and Risk Manager, this position is responsible for promoting a culture of safety, serving as a liaison between patients, families and the healthcare team. This temporary position supports patient-centered care while driving continuous improvement efforts to enhance quality, safety, and overall patient satisfaction in accordance with PSMC standards. The Quality, Safety, and Patient Relations Specialist must be effective in utilizing de-escalation techniques, active listening, investigation skills, safety awareness, and collaborative work. This position plays a vital role in ensuring safe, high-quality care for our patients while fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and accountability. This is a temporary, part-time position intended to provide coverage during the incumbent’s internship, anticipated to run from May 2026 through December 2026, unless ended earlier due to business needs. Coverage is expected Monday through Friday, approximately 20 hours per week, with a typical schedule of either 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Requirements

Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or in a related field.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in healthcare, ideally in quality assurance, patient safety, and/or patient advocacy.
Strong knowledge of QAPI methodologies, patient safety principles, and regulatory requirements.
Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to handle high stress situations in a rapid paced environment, with multiple tasks, frequent interruptions, and the ability to handle matters requiring sensitivity.
Ability to accurately collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform decision-making and drive process improvements.
Computer skills sufficient to utilize email, Microsoft Office applications, access electronic health record (EHR) data or documents for review, , utilize spreadsheets, and quality reporting tools/ software.
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) or willingness to obtain within 1 year of hire.
Current RN license (if applicable).
Demonstrates ability to read, write, and clearly express oneself in English 100% of the time.
Demonstrates ability to listen.
Demonstrates the ability to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken work, to impart oral information to other team members or the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Critical Access Hospitals or rural healthcare settings desired but not required.
Certified Patient Safety Officer (CPSO), Certified Professional In-Patient Safety (CPPS), or equivalent is desired but not required.
Additional languages desired but not required.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary liaison for patients and families to receive prompt and effective communication to address concerns, complaints, and grievances.
Promote a patient-centered approach by educating staff on patient rights and best practices for patient communication and engagement.
Collaborate with the healthcare team to resolve patient concerns while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with policies.
Develop and implement strategies to improve patient satisfaction and experience scores (i.e., HCAHPS).
Lead patient safety initiatives by identifying, investigating, and reporting adverse events, near misses, and safety concerns.
Coordinate and facilitate Root Cause Analyses (RCA) and Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEA) to determine contributing factors and develop corrective actions.
Collaborate with leadership to implement evidence-based strategies to minimize risks and prevent harm to patients.
Monitor compliance with patient safety goals, policies, and procedures.
Coordinates Quality, Performance Improvement and clinical patient safety activities.
Collects quality and patient safety data required for mandated reporting.
Reports quality and patient safety data as required for mandated programs.
Identifies and facilitates process improvement activities related to mandatory reporting.
Acts as a resource for managers and directors, providing guidance and support for creating department specific quality assessment measures and performance improvement activities.
Participates in developing the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Plan annually.
Participates in the Performance Improvement Committee.
Participates in other operational meetings as directed by the Manager of Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement.
Participates in quality related projects as directed.
Participates in the facility-wide risk management program.
Utilizes the PSMC-wide system (i.e., Clarity) for event documentation, investigation, analysis and resolution.
Facilitates Root Cause Analysis activities for clinical events.
Completes federal and state required reporting related to events.
Coordinates patient safety survey.
Participates in service recovery by responding to patient complaints related to quality of care.
Pursues professional growth and maintains specialized knowledge and skills in QAPI and Safety by participating in professional organizations and on-going continuing education/in-service training with emphasis in their practice.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor.