Senior Quality Improvement Specialist

Northwest Human Services, Inc.; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Disability

403(b) plan

FSA

PTO

Paid holidays

CE & Training

Wellness program

Job summary

Northwest Human Services, Inc. in Salem, OR seeks a Senior Quality Improvement Specialist to turn strategic priorities into measurable healthcare improvements, strengthen patient care, and align with regulatory standards.

You will lead cross-functional improvement projects, analyze performance data, redesign workflows, and coach teams in quality improvement methods, driving safety, equity, and patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field and 5+ years of healthcare QI experience.
• Experience with QI methodologies (IHI, Lean Six Sigma, PDSA) and regulatory alignment.
• Strong data analysis, measurement, and visualization skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate organizational priorities into actionable QI initiatives with measurable results.
• Optimize clinical and operational workflows to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.
• Transform data into actionable insights through dashboards and reports for leadership.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams and coach improvement efforts.
• Train, coach, and mentor teams in QI tools and principles.
• Support safety, equity, and excellence across the organization.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical thinking

Leadership through collaboration

Equity and inclusion

Adaptability

Continuous learning

Education

Bachelor's degree in public health / healthcare admin / nursing / health sciences / informatics / business / quality mgmt

Equivalent combination of education & healthcare QI experience

Job description

Northwest Human Services is a non-profit leader in providing advocacy, quality healthcare and social services in Marion and Polk counties since 1970.

Senior Quality Improvement Specialist

Location: West Salem Clinic | 1233 Edgewater St. NW, Salem OR 97304

Schedule: Full Time | Monday–Friday

Status: Exempt

Reports to: Quality Management Director

Turn Data into Change – Build Better System – Improve Lives

At Northwest Human Services (NWHS), quality improvement is more than a process — it's how we strengthen care, support our teams, and make a lasting difference in the lives of the people we serve.

The Senior Quality Improvement Specialist is an expert-level contributor who transforms organizational priorities into measurable improvements in healthcare quality, operational efficiency, patient experience, and regulatory alignment.

In this role, you will lead complex, cross-functional improvement initiatives, analyze performance data, redesign workflows, and coach teams in applying structured quality improvement (QI) methodologies.

You will serve as a trusted partner to clinical and operational leaders, helping turn strategic goals into practical solutions that improve how care is delivered and experienced.

Your work will directly support NWHS's commitment to patient-centered care, high reliability, safety, equity, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

Drive Strategic Quality Improvement

Translate organizational strategic priorities into actionable QI initiatives, identify improvement opportunities, analyze performance gaps, and drive measurable, sustainable results.

Optimize Clinical and Operational Workflows

Apply IHI Model for Improvement, Lean Six Sigma, PDSA cycles, root cause analysis, workflow mapping, and statistical analysis to improve efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes.

Transform Data into Actionable Insights

Develop dashboards, scorecards, reports, and visual management tools that translate complex data into meaningful recommendations for leadership and frontline teams.

Facilitate Cross-Functional Teams

Collaborate with clinical and operational leaders to solve complex challenges, guide improvement teams, and support implementation of effective solutions.

Train, Coach, and Mentor Teams

Develop and deliver QI training, provide hands‑on coaching, and empower employees to use improvement tools and take ownership of continuous improvement.

Support Safety, Equity, and Excellence

Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and patient and employee safety across the organization.

What Makes You Successful

• Strategic and analytical thinking → Interpret complex clinical and operational data, identify root causes, recognize patterns, and translate findings into measurable improvement strategies.
• Leadership through collaboration → Build trust, facilitate productive discussions, and guide cross-functional teams through change without relying on formal supervisory authority.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion → Value diverse perspectives, recognize barriers to care, and incorporate equity and patient‑centered principles into improvement efforts.
• Adaptability and accountability → You independently manage multiple projects, prioritize competing deadlines, communicate clearly, and follow through to achieve sustainable results.
• Continuous learning → Teach others, share best practices, explore innovative solutions, and strengthen systems that support safe, effective care.

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, healthcare administration, nursing, health sciences, health informatics, business administration, quality management, or a related healthcare field. An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and substantial healthcare QI experience may be considered.
• At least five years of progressively responsible healthcare quality improvement experience, including leading projects from identification through implementation and evaluation.
• Demonstrated success independently leading QI initiatives and applying structured methodologies to achieve measurable improvements.
• Experience with HRSA UDS, HEDIS, Medicare, and Medicaid quality measures and performance expectations.
• Experience coaching or mentoring teams and facilitating collaborative problem‑solving.
• Strong skills in performance measurement, data analysis, data visualization, and project tracking.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in public health, healthcare administration, nursing, health sciences, health informatics, business administration, quality management, or a related healthcare field.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, IHI Improvement Advisor, Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), or comparable QI credential.
• Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or other safety‑net healthcare setting.
• Direct experience with PCPCH, Oregon Medicaid CCO incentive measures, or 988 quality improvement programs.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Healthcare insurance plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Group Life: Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 100% paid by employer
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% of employer contribution and up to 3% employer match
• Flex Spending Account
• PTO - 10 hours a month for FT positions 40 hrs./wk. up to 20 hours monthly as your tenure grows
• 7 ½ Paid Holidays a year + 2 paid floating holidays for full-time positions
• Continuing Education & Training Benefits
• Employee Healthy Living Program – Gym Membership & Smoking Cessation

Why NWHS?

At NWHS, we believe healthcare is about more than treating a condition; it is about understanding the whole person and helping create healthier communities. You’ll be part of a mission‑driven organization dedicated to providing compassionate, accessible, and high‑quality healthcare and social services to our communities.

If you're passionate about transforming healthcare systems, empowering teams, and making quality improvement meaningful, we invite you to bring your expertise to Northwest Human Services.

Join a mission‑driven organization where your work helps create a more effective, equitable, and compassionate healthcare experience for the communities we serve.

All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to undergo a criminal records check.

Equal Opportunity Employer | We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Community | Compassion | Commitment | Integrity

Working together to empower individuals to improve their health, well‑being, and safety