Quality Improvement Specialist I - Quality Outcomes - Full Time

**Position Summary** The Quality Performance Improvement Specialist I (QPIS I) oversees and facilitates quality improvement and patient safety activities while serving as a hands-on improvement leader. This role supports the administration of organizational quality programs and quality-of-care improvements through facilitation, advising, advocacy, and the coordination of data collection/aggregation and actionable analysis. **Essential Functions / Job Responsibilities** - Lead and facilitate clinical and operational quality improvement initiatives aligned with organizational and strategic objectives, using improvement methodology to achieve intended outcomes. - Maintain current best-practice understanding in quality and patient safety; assess gaps between current state and best practice; recommend process changes that impact quality and safety. - Routinely evaluate indicators and report to stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement; develop and/or direct ongoing performance improvement initiatives and standardize practices. - Collect, compile, coordinate, and aggregate data to support quality programs; mine new/existing systems and processes for actionable data and act where appropriate. - Perform retrospective chart audits and medical record analysis for key quality metrics and identify improvement opportunities in clinical and/or documentation processes. - Analyze performance metrics to identify trends or root causes; prepare reports and formal presentations of results and present to appropriate committee(s). - Maintain thorough understanding of regulatory, accreditation, quality reporting, and national quality standards/strategies; interpret quality standards and stay current with evolving requirements. - Participate in regulatory and survey activities including Joint Commission and CMS surveys; provide primary support and lead Leapfrog action planning and survey completion. - Facilitate and lead clinical improvement teams to identify, plan, implement, and sustain change using relevant quality tools and timelines; apply PDSA and other tools appropriately to improve care and services. - Coordinate and/or facilitate quality governance committees within the governance structure (agenda support, minutes/records as applicable). - Collaborate with other departments (e.g., patient safety, informatics, clinical systems, case management, regulatory compliance, population health, value-based reimbursement, policy management, clinical service departments and leaders) to develop and implement improvement projects supporting quality initiatives and concerns. - Respond to requests for explanation from payors related to quality-of-care letters/clinical concerns as appropriate. - Provide direct supervision to assigned quality staff as applicable (assign work, review work, performance management/evaluations) and promote an engaged, healthy work environment emphasizing growth and development. **Education, Licensure & Certification** - Bachelor’s degree required (e.g., Project Management, Process/Performance Improvement, Health Implementation, Data Analytics, Systems Science, or related healthcare field). - Master’s degree preferred. - Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) within 3 years. - Licensure/certification in a healthcare-related field may be required (e.g., RN or other licensure/certification as applicable). **Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities** - Demonstrated project management, analytical, organizational, audit, computer, communication, and customer service skills. - Quality improvement experience in healthcare and demonstrated execution of quality improvement projects addressing quality-of-care concerns. - Clinical knowledge/experience may be required depending on assignment (source references inpatient acute care experience). - Ability to facilitate multi-disciplinary teams, produce written/verbal reports, and lead change initiatives aligned with organizational mission/values. Other Duties: Performs other…