Quality And Safety Patient Officer

SUMMARY:

Quality and Safety Patient Officer provides oversight of the enterprise wide risk, quality and safety program at TMC Healthcare (TMCH) including all inpatient and outpatient settings. Oversees, either through a direct or a matrixed reporting relationship, the quality, patient safety, risk, regulatory and accreditation functions, patient relations, infection control, safety coach program, nursing education, clinical informatics and peer review. In conjunction with appropriate executives and directors, develops an enterprise wide strategy for a TMCH Patient Quality and Safety program based on the principles of high reliability. Appointed as Patient Safety Officer.

Quality and Safety Patient Officer has primary accountability and oversight of the entire organization’s performance for quality and patient safety. This leadership role will work directly with executives and other leaders within the organization to lead a highly reliable organization in support of identified goals and initiatives. The officer will serve as the expert for process design/redesign activities that facilitate and support a high reliability organization. As the lead advocate for patient safety, the officer will develop and manage a proactive risk reduction program.

Quality and Safety Patient Officer will report directly to the VP of Operations with strong matrixed responsibility to the Chief Nursing Officer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Develops and directs organization-wide best practices through a solid understanding of quality management methodologies and controls with an emphasis on high reliability, risk mitigation techniques, and industry trends; disseminates consistent, reliable information throughout the organization.

Provides clear short- and long-term direction, leadership, and guidance on quality initiatives to staff, management, executives, physicians, customers, and other related stakeholders; provides leadership and direction to functionally related teams.

Has oversight of the activities of the Quality and Safety Council in collaboration with the CMO and CNO

Develops programs, policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the delivery of quality service to internal and external customers while developing and maintaining effective working relationships.

In collaboration with the CMO and the TMCH Board Quality Care Committee in developing TMCH quality goals, objectives, and measures in support of mission, vision, and values.

Develops and implements a patient safety program designed to consistently and comprehensively provide safe care to the patients at TMCH.

Develops clear goals for the patient safety program and risk and action plan for meeting goals.

Stays current on best practices for patient safety, including TJC Sentinel Event Alerts, NQF Safe Practices, IHI initiatives, etc.

Oversight of analysis of patient incident trends and development of action plans to reduce exposure and recurrence.

Collaborates with the Patient Relations staff, and monitors timely grievance investigation and response.

Represents TMC Healthcare in a professional, knowledgeable manner, successfully establishes partnerships, communicates effectively, and promotes the mission and vision.

Responsible for establishing, communicating, modeling, and measuring TMC Healthcare standards of excellence within the organizational structure and externally within local/national/international forums.

Participates in professional organizations and attends events, conferences, seminars, etc. to determine best practices and progressive concepts within the field of healthcare quality management.

Oversees the preparation and presentation of actionable information regarding adverse events, data and metrics that will support improvement in patient experience, remove waste, eliminate defects and reduce variation; and ensures the successful implementation of the quality strategic initiatives.

Collaborates with compliance efforts related to applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and responsible for coordinating organizational response to applicable regulatory inquiry.

Works closely with the professional team in collection of data using a variety of data collection methods, analyzes data, takes action to continuously improve quality and performance within TMC Healthcare, and communicates information appropriately.

Oversees, either through a direct or a matrixed reporting relationship, the quality, patient safety, risk, regulatory and accreditation functions, patient relations, infection control, safety coach program, nursing education, clinical informatics and peer review. Has overall responsibility for, in conjunction with directors, budgets, performance, analyzing variances, and taking appropriate action to achieve financial goals.

Develops contingency plans and responds to unforeseen circumstances utilizing planned resources.

System responsibilities as assigned.

Adheres to TMCH organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Registered Nurse with a Master’s Degree in healthcare required (MHA,MSN,MPH) or Doctor of Medicine degree with a Master’s Degree in healthcare preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of clinical experience in patient care and 7 or more years of healthcare quality management leadership experience. Experience in implementation of quality process improvement using high reliability or lean required.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Current Arizona Licensure. If MD, qualifies for hospital privileges. Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification preferred.