Pediatric Cardiologist – Director Quality Improvement

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Opportunities for clinical research

Professional development programs

Job summary

A prominent institution in medical education seeks a full-time Medical Director for the Heart Center to oversee quality improvement initiatives, enhance patient safety, and drive improvements in clinical outcomes. The role requires a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy with board certification and expertise in Quality Improvement Science. This position involves collaboration with healthcare leaders, developing clinical guidelines, and enhancing patient experience. A competitive salary aligns with qualifications and experience in Chicago.

Qualifications

• Must be board certified/eligible and possess a current Illinois medical license.
• Formal training in Quality Improvement Science is required.
• Experience in program design, implementation, and evaluation is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing quality improvement performance for the Heart Center.
• Collaborating with leadership on improving clinical outcomes.
• Developing clinical care guidelines and compliance standards.

Skills

Quality Improvement Science

EHR proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy

Tools

Epic EHR system

MS Office applications

Job description

Overview

The Department of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine seeks a full-time non-tenure-eligible Clinician-Educator at the rank of Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor. Responsibilities will depend on candidate sub-specialty interests and training and may include a mix of outpatient pediatric cardiology and inpatient service. Opportunities exist for clinical research and collaboration through the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute of Chicago. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Job Summary

The Medical Director, Heart Center Quality Improvement is responsible for overseeing and managing overall quality improvement performance. Works in close collaboration with Center for Quality and Safety leadership, medical staff and hospital leaders, Legal and Risk Management, Information Management, and Data Analytics and Reporting to foster improvements in care through quality improvement and safety, evidence-informed practice, utilization of the electronic health record (EHR) and clinical analytics. Demonstrates expertise in formal quality improvement methodologies, human factors, systems and processes, risk areas and technology to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care delivery processes and outcomes, and the use of data to drive improvement. Demonstrates commitment to learning from all available evidence and data to provide high quality, safe, effective, equitable, efficient and timely care as a health learning system and high reliability organization. Collaborating with key stakeholders, this role focuses on improving clinical outcomes, enhancing value, and minimizing patient harm. This is first and foremost a leadership role and will be responsible for quality-related change management across the Heart Center. Reporting to Heart Center leadership, the medical director also plays a crucial role in representing quality and patient safety to the organization and external entities.

Leadership Accountabilities

• Clinical Quality Outcomes
  Establishes and maintains high standards for quality of care and patient safety
• Takes initiative to improve both processes and outcomes, incorporating best practices and innovations in the professional field
• Ensures compliance with Lurie Children’s policies and all accreditation and regulatory bodies and their standards in the areas of the Core Faculty’s work
• Attends relevant meetings

Strategic Growth

• Compellingly communicates to staff the critical role they play in achieving Lurie Children’s mission and strategic goals
• Facilitates prioritized organizational change initiatives; leads and supports staff in adapting to a rapidly changing health care environment
• Facilitates development and achievement of professional and personal goals for self

Brand Identity

• Strengthens our brand as a top tier provider and employer by establishing and maintaining high standards for excellence
• Models our values of service, innovation and teamwork. Holds others accountable for living these values
• Fulfills the employee promise by fostering a challenging and compassionate work environment, recognizing strong performance, and listening and acting on feedback

Customer Satisfaction

• Consistently models our service principles in internal and external interactions and ensures that the Service Principles are fulfilled by others

Job Specific Duties

• Develop and revise clinical care guidelines, procedures, and care protocols for The Heart Center to optimize outcomes
• Establish and uphold patient experience standards
• Ensure compliance with medical staff bylaws, accreditation standards, and relevant regulations
• Review data to identify opportunities for improving overall quality of care in The Heart Center
• Facilitate effective communication among program physicians, APPs, and team members
• Provide first-line resolution in the escalation of provider-related concerns regarding clinical service quality
• Provide oversight and leadership for QI programs and participate in medical staff, hospital committees, and performance improvement initiatives
• Provide mentorship and teach in improvement programs to expand improvement capacity across The Heart Center

Quality Improvement And Organizational Support

• In collaboration with the Director, Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, supervise the Quality Improvement team and Data team
• Collaborate with clinical and operational Care Team members to establish QI processes throughout the organization
• Align with hospital quality standards and partner as needed with the Center for Quality and Safety
• Coordinate with physician and operational leaders to drive the incorporation of high reliability organization principles into the health care delivery system's design
• Design and employ QI tools for use at the point of care and support the systems reporting team in designing and disseminating tools
• Use existing data systems to identify areas in need of quality improvement
• Collaborate with Risk Committees to identify appropriate metrics and new collection sources
• Oversee data validation processes and refine data management procedures in collaboration with the Data Managers
• Employ PDSA cycles and other tests of change to design and disseminate optimal workflows
• Provide support to care teams, incorporating QI methodologies and transformation strategies into their function and design
• Analyze and review processes, policies, and systems to ensure alignment with NCQA PCMH standards
• Champion adoption of standardized best practices across disciplines and departments
• Assist in the development, writing, and implementation of Policies and Procedures pertaining to Quality Improvement, Practice Transformation, and APCMH

Competencies

• Demonstrates knowledge of Quality Improvement Science methodologies
• Applies technical and procedural skills efficiently, effectively uses Electronic Health Records (EHR), and demonstrates proficiency in MS Office applications
• Provides patient-centered customer service, anticipates patients\' needs, and responds in a timely, accurate, and courteous manner
• Communicates clearly and concisely in oral and written communication
• Exhibits teamwork and interpersonal skills, demonstrates positive attitude and effective relationship-building
• Uses critical thinking to analyze situations, make timely decisions, and resolve issues independently
• Possesses extensive knowledge and experience with industry-leading quality improvement methods and tools

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy from an accredited medical school
• Must be board certified/eligible and have a current Illinois medical license or the ability to secure one
• Formal training in QI Science
• Proven success in directing and managing projects within expected timelines
• Experience in program design, implementation, and evaluation
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work under deadlines
• Proficient in MS Office applications, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Epic EHR system
• Demonstrated ability to work across and lead various groups and teams
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills
• The start date is negotiable and the position will remain open until filled

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals. The Lurie Children’s Heart Center, ranked among the nation’s top cardiology and heart surgery programs in the US, has dramatically expanded over the last 5 years and includes over 50 full-time attending cardiologists, 12 general cardiology fellows and 5 advanced/4th year fellows, three congenital heart surgeons, an accredited congenital heart surgery fellowship program, and a dedicated team of cardiac anesthesiologists. Opportunities exist for inter-disciplinary investigation through the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern Medicine and the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute of Chicago. Cardiac intensive care services are provided in the state-of-the-art 44-bed Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit.

When applying, please upload a CV and cover letter describing your interest and alignment with the position. Also upload this completed list of references form to suggest the names of individuals who could write letters of reference on your behalf.

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• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
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Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.