Sterile Processing Quality Improvement Specialist

Advocate Health; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health in Charlotte, NC, seeks a results-driven Quality Improvement professional with experience in healthcare settings. You will lead or support initiatives using IHI, LEAN, and Six Sigma methodologies to improve care delivery and patient outcomes.

The role requires strong data analysis, collaboration across departments, and the ability to translate findings into actionable strategies. Expect engagement with NCQA recognition programs and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Four years of healthcare experience with at least three in quality/process improvement.
• Certification in Health Care Quality (CPHQ) or Six Sigma preferred.
• Knowledge of quality improvement concepts, methods and tools and change management experience.
• Detailed understanding of system design, reliability, process mapping, data management and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates workflow efficiency, staff competency, resource utilization, safety and compliance.
• Develops and implements improvement plans using the IHI Model for Improvement and LEAN.
• Collaborates with departments to identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement.
• Analyzes data to identify patterns, root causes and translates findings into actionable changes.
• Disseminates performance data using run charts and histograms; maintains trend reports.
• Ensures staff education and resources to facilitate changes.
• Communicates performance results to leadership via meetings, flyers, email and training.
• Supports NCQA recognition efforts for PCMH, Diabetes, Heart and Stroke, and similar programs.
• Documents improvement activities and reports them internally and externally as appropriate.
• Attends meetings, conferences and trainings related to continuous improvement.

Skills

Quality improvement concepts

PDSA

LEAN

Six Sigma

Change management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in health related field

Industrial engineering degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in health related field or industrial engineering. Master's degree preferred or equivalent work experience. Four years' experience in health care setting with minimum of three years' experience in quality improvement, process improvement, change management, etc.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION:

Certification in Health Care Quality (CPHQ), Six Sigma or other health quality certification preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Evaluates performance through assessment of workflow efficiency, competency of staff, utilization of resources, safety and compliance.
• Develops and facilitates implementation of improvement plans following the IHI Model for Improvement and LEAN.
• Works closely with select departments to identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement
• Analyzes data for patterns and trends in care delivery; discovers root causes for specific patient care trends and for critical event analysis (i.e., Root Cause Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis). Translates data into actionable information (using data to drive change).
• Disseminates/displays data using common performance improvement tools (e.g., run charts, histograms). Maintains trended reports and summaries of key findings.
• Translates findings and outcomes and recommend strategies for early intervention and health/disease management, new programs, workflow and operational improvement activities. Assists in facilitating changes and improvements based on the data.
• Assures all staff have the education and resource material needed to facilitate the change.
• Ensures administration, staff and providers are aware of performance in relation to the desired performance level, and the evidence base for the measure. Disseminates information via corporate meetings, flyers, email, SharePoint and in personalized office training classes.
• Collaborates with select teams to increase the number of practices/providers with NCQA recognition for Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), Diabetes, Heart and Stroke, and others. Ensures those already recognized maintain their recognition status.
• Assures that improvement activities are documented and reported within the organization and externally as appropriate.
• Highlights results and accomplishments of QI initiatives.
• Demonstrates problem solving, leadership, conflict management and team building skills in order to ensure a productive work environment and achievement of goals.
• Aligns efforts with other departments to increase the likelihood of achieving our common goals.
• Collaborates with leadership and staff to create policies and procedures that ensure excellent quality care and minimize harm to the patient.
• Attends meetings, conferences and trainings related to continuous improvement.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of quality improvement concepts, methods and tools (e.g., PDSA, rapid cycle quality improvement, LEAN, Six Sigma and reliability principles) and change management experience. Knowledge of computer systems and applications. Knowledge of medical terminology, medical records and clinical care processes. Detailed understanding and experience using the techniques of system design, reengineering, reliability, quality improvement, process mapping, project management, data management and statistical analysis Experienced at using an evidence-based approach to facilitate multidisciplinary quality improvement work. Proficient in team development and facilitation techniques applied to project teams to achieve their highest potential. Experience in leading group processes and negotiation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Clean, well-lit and comfortable climate Involves frequent contact with staff and others Subject to many interruptions Moderate noise environment Work may be stressful at times Subject to varying and unpredictable situations Subject to changes in work schedules and areas to meet customer/department needs

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

0% 35% 65% to to to 35% 65% 100% N/A Activity X Standing X Walking X Sitting X Bending X Reaching with arms X Finger and hand dexterity X Talking X Hearing X Seeing Lifting, carrying, pushing and or pulling: X 20 lbs. maximum X 50 lbs. maximum X 100 lbs. maximum