Sterile Processing Quality Improvement Specialist

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 69,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational Assistance Program

Paid Time Off programs

Health and welfare benefits (medical,‑

Defined contribution retirement plans

Job summary

Advocate Health is seeking a Quality Improvement Lead to advance patient care quality across Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and affiliated sites. The role emphasizes LEAN methods, data-driven improvement, and cross-functional collaboration to drive standardization and safety.

You will evaluate workflow, guide improvement plans, and mentor teams to implement evidence-based changes. A healthcare quality background and change-management experience are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in health related field or industrial engineering; Master's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Four years' experience in health care setting with minimum of three years' experience in quality improvement, process improvement, change management, etc.
• Certification in Health Care Quality (CPHQ), Six Sigma or other health quality certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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

Quality improvement

LEAN

Six Sigma

Change management

Data analysis

Project management

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in health related field or industrial engineering

Master's degree preferred or equivalent work experience

Job description

Department

37719 Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center - Sterile Processing Services

Status

Full time

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Hours Per Week

40

Schedule Details/Additional Information

Full Time

40 hours

Days
Monday – Friday, 0730 – 1530

• Shift could vary to meet the operational needs for evening/night shift
• Position may include travel to other AHWFB Hospital locations (Alleghany, Davie, High Point, Hugh Chatham, Lexington, Wilkes and future Greensboro hospital) and ASC locations (Clemmons, Greensboro, High Point, Winston).

Pay Range

$33.05 - $49.60

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

• 1. Evaluates performance through assessment of workflow efficiency, competency of staff, utilization of resources, safety and compliance.
• 2. Develops and facilitates implementation of improvement plans following the IHI Model for Improvement and LEAN.
• 3. Works closely with select departments to identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement
• 4. 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).
• 5. Disseminates/displays data using common performance improvement tools (e.g., run charts, histograms). Maintains trended reports and summaries of key findings.
• 6. 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.
• 7. Assures all staff have the education and resource material needed to facilitate the change.
• 8. 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.
• 9. 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.
• 10. Assures that improvement activities are documented and reported within the organization and externally as appropriate.
• 11. Highlights results and accomplishments of QI initiatives.
• 12. Demonstrates problem solving, leadership, conflict management and team building skills in order to ensure a productive work environment and achievement of goals.
• 13. Aligns efforts with other departments to increase the likelihood of achieving our common goals.
• 14. Collaborates with leadership and staff to create policies and procedures that ensure excellent quality care and minimize harm to the patient.
• 15. 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

Our Commitment to You

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits And More

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, andShort- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

Performs tasks key to the clinical transformation. Performs quality improvement efforts to improve quality of care, reduce cost of care, enhance patient experience of care and improve provider satisfaction. Responsible for designing a data-driven, strategic approach to continuous quality improvement (CQI) based on identification of gaps in care, perceived ability to measurably improve with resources available, potential to impact multiple settings/ease of replication or spread.