Clinical Quality Nurse

University of Texas; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Clinical Quality Nurse at Dell Medical School to lead CQI initiatives, improve patient safety, and ensure regulatory readiness.

The role partners with multidisciplinary teams, analyzes clinical and operational data, and develops sustainable quality improvements aligned with organizational goals. Immediate start date and a 40-hour workweek at UT Main Campus are noted.

Qualifications

• BSN required with at least 3 years of clinical experience.
• Experience leading quality improvement and data analysis.
• Familiarity with CMS, JCAHO, NCQA standards optional.

Responsibilities

• Lead CQI initiatives and multidisciplinary teams.
• Analyze performance data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop CQI plans using PDSA/Lean.
• Ensure regulatory readiness and coordinate surveys.
• Educate staff on documentation, safety, and quality.
• Create dashboards and KPI reports.
• Support accreditation and risk management activities.

Skills

Process Management

Problem Solving

Regulatory Knowledge

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Analytical Thinking

Education

BSN

Job description

Job Posting Title

Clinical Quality Nurse ---- Hiring Department: Dell Medical School ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

The Clinical Quality Nurse plays a vital role in enhancing clinical outcomes, safety initiatives, and operational efficiency through data-driven continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives. This position leads multidisciplinary teams in analyzing performance metrics, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring continuous readiness for regulatory surveys. Reporting to the Associate Director of Clinical Quality, the Clinical Quality Nurse serves as a trusted consultant, educator, and facilitator while fostering an environment of ongoing improvement and excellence. By aligning improvement strategies with organizational goals and regulatory requirements, this role supports measurable advancements in patient safety, care delivery, and compliance.

Purpose

The Clinical Quality Nurse supports and leads clinical quality, patient safety, regulatory readiness, and performance improvement initiatives. This role uses clinical expertise, data analysis, continuous quality improvement methodologies, and multidisciplinary collaboration to identify opportunities for improvement and implement sustainable solutions. The position partners across clinical and operational teams to align quality improvement strategies with organizational goals and regulatory requirements while advancing patient safety, care delivery, compliance, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Leads Multidisciplinary Quality Improvement Initiatives
  Facilitate team collaboration to support business outcomes and clinical excellence.
  Develop and implement CQI plans using methodologies such as PDSA and Lean.
  Champion change and help others adapt to new tasks and processes.
  Encourage team members to follow procedures and policies while fostering innovation.
• Conducts Data Analysis and Performance Reporting
  Extract and analyze clinical and operational data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
  Conduct statistical analysis to determine reliability and confidence intervals.
  Create charts, graphs, and narrative summaries using multiple data systems.
  Present quality metrics to teams and leadership to demonstrate impact.
• Supports Regulatory Compliance and Survey Readiness
  Ensure continuous readiness for CMS, TJC, NCQA, and other regulatory bodies.
  Participate in survey preparation, mock audits, and documentation reviews.
  Develop and monitor corrective action plans to address compliance gaps.
  Serve as a subject matter expert on internal policies and external regulations.
• Facilitates Risk Management and Patient Safety Activities
  Conduct root cause analyses, failure mode and effect analyses, and other assessments.
  Review event reports and elevate high-risk issues for resolution.
  Assist with developing targeted improvement strategies based on findings from audits, claim denials, and satisfaction surveys.
  Promote a safety culture and support incident prevention strategies.
• Educates and Consults with Clinical Staff
  Deliver educational programs on regulatory requirements, internal concerns, and system usage.
  Coach staff on documentation standards, safety protocols, and quality practices.
  Participate in committees and projects to influence policy and procedure development.
  Build collaborative partnerships to improve compliance and health outcomes.
• Develops and Maintains Quality Reporting Tools
  Design dashboards and reports to track KPIs and benchmark performance.
  Integrate quality metrics into operational workflows and decision-making.
  Document and analyze trends, errors, and reporting findings.
  Support business-specific projects with creative, data-informed solutions.
• Marginal or Periodic Functions
  Participate in accreditation mock surveys and emergency preparedness drills.
  Assist with grant applications or research projects related to quality and safety.
  Attend professional conferences and disseminate best practices.
  Serve as a liaison for external quality collaboratives and benchmarking groups.
  Support strategic planning and innovation initiatives across departments.
  Perform related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Process Management: Design and improve processes that are efficient, scalable, and aligned with organizational goals. Apply process mapping and agile methodologies to streamline workflows. Implement SOPs and monitor compliance with healthcare quality standards. Refine processes based on performance data and stakeholder feedback.
• Problem Solving: Use logic and data to identify root causes and develop effective solutions. Conduct root cause and risk assessments using applied data analysis. Evaluate the impact and sustainability of solutions through CQI frameworks. Make sound decisions under pressure using critical thinking.
• Functional/Technical Skills: Demonstrate deep knowledge of clinical standards, EMR systems, and regulatory frameworks. Apply expertise in clinical quality, healthcare compliance, and risk management. Navigate EMR platforms and reporting tools to extract and analyze data. Interpret and apply CMS, TJC, and NCQA standards to ensure compliance.
• Drive for Results: Consistently deliver high-quality outcomes aligned with strategic goals. Lead quality improvement initiatives aligned with organizational goals. Track and report KPIs to demonstrate progress and effectiveness. Encourage accountability and continuous development planning.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Build effective relationships across different teams and disciplines. Demonstrate excellent communication and negotiation skills with stakeholders. Facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration and consensus-building. Resolve conflicts constructively and promote shared ownership of outcomes.
• Organizational Agility: Understand how organizations work and adapt strategies accordingly. Align quality initiatives with strategic priorities and operational realities. Navigate complex systems and hierarchies to drive change. Build coalitions and foster partnerships across departments.
• Customer Focus: Prioritize patient and stakeholder needs in decision-making. Design improvements that enhance patient experience and safety. Incorporate feedback from patients and staff into quality initiatives. Balance clinical goals with regulatory and operational requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).
• Minimum of three years of experience in a clinical setting.
• Relevant education or experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or Public Health.
• Minimum of two years of experience in clinical quality.
• Two years of experience in acute care, ambulatory care, or multi‑site healthcare systems.

Licenses/Registrations/Certifications

• Required: Current RN license in the State of Texas.
  Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Preferred: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).
  Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification.
  Certification in Risk Management or Patient Safety, such as CPPS.

Salary Range

$79,890+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Standard office equipment.
Repetitive use of a keyboard.
May be exposed to occupational hazards such as communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, ionizing and non‑ionizing radiation, hazardous medications, and disoriented or combative patients, or others.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

About the University

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world‑changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Notes

UT Austin is a Tobacco‑free Campus