Quality Consultant

University Of Utah Health Quality Improvement Position

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position is assigned to the System Quality Department and acts as a catalyst for improvement initiatives throughout the healthcare system. This position will work closely with medical and hospital patient care staff, as well as managers and senior leaders in implementing the organization's Value Management System, improving patient care, and ensuring compliance with State Rules, DNV/ISO/NIAHO Standards, and other regulatory requirements. This position is responsible for enhancing value, consistent with the University of Utah Health value management system, through the planning, design, evaluation, monitoring, and analysis of processes for, or in support of patient care; consistent with regulatory requirements, and quality improvement processes.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Acts as a catalyst and facilitator for quality improvement and patient safety initiatives. Partners with leadership, providers and staff to design and implement strategies for value improvement for identified quality opportunities.
• Attends and facilitates QI meetings providing expertise on national quality programs, problem identification and resolution, quality improvement processes and tools, and other patient care and accreditation activities.
• Facilitates adverse event review and corrective action, as well as preventive quality and patient safety efforts.
• Supports the development and implementation of improved quality reporting measures/information.
• Reviews and interprets patient care information, from the medical record, and other data sources used to identify quality of care issues; transforms these facts into actionable information for improvement work.
• Creates reporting documents, summaries, and presentations for monitoring and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Provides education to the organization regarding quality and patient safety topics, performance improvement, and other regulatory metrics and standards.
• Attends and may facilitate QI meetings, providing "expert" input regarding problem identification and resolution, continuous quality improvement (CQI), and other patient care and accreditation activities.
• Engages shareholders in delivering high value care and the organization's Value Management System.
• Performs internal audits and prepares reports to assess and improve organizational compliance with new or existing quality metrics, standards, operational goals, and/or improvement initiatives.
• Develops and maintains effective collaborative working relationships across the organization, and participates with multidisciplinary teams in value improvement work, and networks with others in similar organizations.
• Collaborates with leaders, departments, committees, entities and individuals to support the delivery of high value care.
• Performs mentoring, support, and assistance to others in the system who are accountable for value improvement.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Knowledge of Healthcare Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Topics.
• Strong leadership, quality improvement, and team facilitation skills.
• Data analysis and data presentation.
• Knowledge of the organization's Value Management System (i.e. internal ISO Quality Management System).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, Microsoft Office Software (e.g. Excel), and healthcare quality metrics.
• Current knowledge of State, ISO, NIAHO, CMS standards, national payment programs, CMS Core Measures, and other national patient safety/quality indicators.
• Ability to work independently and adapt in a fast-changing work environment.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in a health care clinical or business related field or equivalency.
• One year clinical or healthcare experience.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Certification or completed training in any of the following: Lean, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt CPHQ, Healthcare Performance Improvement Facilitation, Human Factors, CQI or equivalency.
• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Utah, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the interstate compact if switching residency to State of Utah. Must maintain current Interstate Compact (multi-state) license if residency is not being changed to Utah.
• Two years of leading and/or facilitating quality improvement activities in healthcare.
• Advanced degree in related field or equivalency.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This is a sedentary position that may exert up to 10 pounds and may lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position involves sitting most of the time and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Physical Requirements

Listening, Sitting, Speaking, Standing