Quality Improvement Nurse

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 69,839 - 85,358; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution is seeking a Quality Improvement Specialist to enhance clinical excellence and operational performance. This role involves designing, implementing, and evaluating quality improvement initiatives, ensuring compliance with standards, and providing training to staff. The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in a related field and has at least three years of experience in healthcare quality. A Master’s degree and relevant certifications are preferred. Competitive salary starting at $77,599 is offered based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in healthcare quality or performance improvement.
• Experience in a hospital or integrated health system setting is preferred.
• Current Texas RN license and relevant certifications.

Responsibilities

• Analyze clinical and operational data to identify trends.
• Design and implement quality improvement projects.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Provide training on quality improvement methodologies.

Skills

Data analysis

Quality improvement methodologies

Compliance knowledge

Training and education

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, or related field

Master's Degree in Healthcare Quality or related discipline

Job description

Job Posting Title: Quality Improvement Specialist

Hiring Department: Dell Medical School

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

PURPOSE

The Quality Improvement Specialist plays a key role in advancing clinical excellence and operational performance across the healthcare system. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating quality improvement initiatives by leveraging data analysis, identifying performance gaps, and driving evidence-based solutions. Reporting to the Director of Quality or a similar leadership role, the specialist collaborates closely with clinical teams, data analysts, risk management, and compliance professionals to enhance patient safety, optimize outcomes, and support an environment of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Gathers and analyzes clinical and operational data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Develops and presents reports on quality metrics and outcomes.
• Utilizes statistical tools to interpret data and inform decision-making.

Quality Improvement Initiatives

• Designs, implements, and manages quality improvement projects and initiatives.
• Monitors the progress and effectiveness of quality improvement efforts.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate quality improvement efforts.

Compliance & Standards

• Ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Reviews and updates policies and procedures to align with best practices.
• Conducts audits to verify adherence to quality standards.

Training, Education, and Engagement

• Provides training and education to staff on quality improvement tools and methodologies.
• Leads or participates in quality and safety committees to foster shared learning.
• Promotes continuous improvement through clear, consistent messaging.
• Builds relationships across departments to support engagement and adoption.

Clinical Outcomes & Review

• Performs chart audits to identify documentation and care gaps.
• Provides feedback and recommends evidence-based practices to stakeholders.
• Facilitates meetings and discussions on quality improvement strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or related field
• At least 3 years of experience in healthcare quality, performance improvement, or clinical operations.

Relevant education or experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Healthcare Quality, Public Health, or related discipline
• At least 5 year(s) of experience in a hospital or integrated health system setting.
• Current Texas RN license.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher
• Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)

SALARY RANGE

$77,599 + depending on qualifications

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/EQUIPMENT

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

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers

You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers

As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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) ... 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.