Patient Safety Coordinator

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston (TX)

On-site

USD 101,000 - 152,000

Full time

2 days ago

Be an early applicant

Application generator

Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical coverage

PTO and holidays

Tuition assistance

Pension plan

Job summary

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, seeks a Patient Safety Coordinator for the Northwest Houston Diagnostic Imaging Center. You will lead safety investigations, coordinate quality initiatives, and support accreditation readiness across imaging operations.

The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, just culture, and collaboration with nursing, radiology, and clinical leadership to advance patient safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

5 years of healthcare experience including three years in a supervisory/lead role and patient safety.
Experience coordinating safety investigations and accreditation activities.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements (ACR, Joint Commission, CMS) and quality metrics.

Responsibilities

Lead investigation, review, and resolution of Diagnostic Imaging patient safety event reports.
Identify trends in high-harm events and recommend improvements.
Facilitate safety debriefs and Root Cause Analyses (RCAs).
Maintain event reporting systems and documentation of safety metrics.
Support regulatory readiness activities and accreditation processes.

Skills

Patient safety

Quality improvement

Regulatory compliance

Operational excellence

Root cause analysis

Education

Master's degree in Nursing/Healthcare Administration or related field

Job description

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Within the Northwest Houston Diagnostic Imaging Center, the Patient Safety Coordinator supports a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement across diagnostic imaging operations while helping advance exceptional patient care and regulatory excellence.

The Patient Safety Coordinator serves as a key partner in patient safety oversight, process improvement, accreditation readiness, and policy governance. The Patient Safety Coordinator collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to investigate safety events, facilitate improvement initiatives, and support quality outcomes. This Patient Safety Coordinator role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that supports patients, clinical teams, and organizational objectives throughout UT MD Anderson.

The ideal candidate for this role is a detail-oriented professional with experience supporting patient safety, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence within a healthcare environment. Candidates should possess the education, experience, and certifications required to coordinate safety investigations, support accreditation activities, lead process improvement initiatives, and promote a culture of safety.

Shift / Hours / location: Monday - Friday / 8am -5pm / job is location at the main campus in the Medical Center.

Why Us?

UT MD Anderson offers the opportunity to contribute directly to a mission focused on eliminating cancer through exceptional patient care, research, education, and prevention. This role supports patient safety, quality outcomes, regulatory excellence, and continuous improvement while providing opportunities for professional development, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and a meaningful career within a world-renowned healthcare institution.

Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

Patient Safety & Quality Oversight

Lead investigation, review, and resolution of Diagnostic Imaging patient safety event reports
Identify trends in high-harm and repeat events and recommend improvements
Facilitate safety debriefs and Root Cause Analyses (RCAs)
Maintain event reporting systems and ensure accurate documentation
Develop, monitor, and distribute patient safety and quality metrics
Support regulatory readiness activities related to patient safety

Process Improvement & High Reliability

Lead and support process improvement initiatives based on safety trends and risk analysis
Facilitate division-wide safety workgroups, including Just Culture, Patient Falls Workgroup, and Daily Tiered Readiness Briefings
Track corrective action plans (CAPs) to ensure sustained improvement

Regulatory Readiness & Accreditation

Support accreditation and compliance efforts for ACR, Joint Commission, CMS, and state regulations
Coordinate required data submissions for registries including GRID, LCSR, DIR, and MQSA
Assist with readiness assessments, audits, documentation reviews, and survey preparation

Policy, Procedure, & SOP Governance

Maintain divisional policies to ensure alignment with regulatory and accreditation standards
Oversee annual review of departmental SOPs and ensure timely updates
Collaborate with clinical and operational leaders to ensure policies remain current and effectively communicated

Education, Culture of Safety, & Collaboration

Develop and deliver training on patient safety, just culture, and regulatory readiness
Facilitate routine safety huddles addressing operational risks and equipment concerns
Promote a transparent, learning-oriented culture of safety
Partner with stakeholders across Diagnostic Imaging, including nursing, clinical operations, radiology, pharmacy, and institutional quality leadership
Support quality oversight for trainees, faculty, and clinical teams
Participate in institutional patient safety committees and joint initiatives
Assist with quality improvement projects, operational optimization, and network-wide collaboration
Contribute to policy governance and regulatory survey activities

EDUCATION

Required: Master's Degree Nursing, Healthcare Administration or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required: 5 years Health care to include three years in a supervisory/lead position and experience in patient safety.
May substitute required education degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one to one basis.
Preferred: 7 years Patient safety, risk management or project management experience in a health care environment.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Preferred: Licensure, registration or certification required in medical discipline. Upon Hire or
Preferred: RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure Upon Hire
Preferred: CPHQ - Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality Upon Hire or
Preferred: ARM - Certification In Risk Management

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information