Sterile Processing Quality Improvement Specialist

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

Job summary

Advocate Health in Winston-Salem, NC seeks a seasoned Quality Improvement professional to drive performance improvement using IHI Model for Improvement and LEAN. Bachelor's degree in health-related field or industrial engineering required; Master's preferred.

Four years in healthcare with three in quality improvement. You will analyze data, identify root causes, develop and implement improvement plans, and collaborate with departments to earn NCQA recognition for PCMH, Diabetes, and Heart and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in health-related field or industrial engineering.
• Master's degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
• Four years' experience in healthcare with at least three in quality improvement.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate performance via workflow efficiency, staff competency, resources, safety and compliance.
• Develop and implement improvement plans using IHI Model for Improvement and LEAN.
• Identify opportunities for improvement with select departments.
• Analyze data to find patterns and root causes in care delivery.
• Disseminate data using run charts and histograms; maintain trend reports.
• Translate findings into strategies for early intervention and program changes.
• Ensure staff education and resources to facilitate change.
• Collaborate to increase NCQA recognition for PCMH, Diabetes, Heart and Stroke.
• Document improvement activities internally and externally as appropriate.
• Highlight results and demonstrate leadership and teamwork.
• Align cross-department efforts to achieve common goals.
• Create policies to ensure high-quality care and minimize harm.
• Attend meetings and trainings on continuous improvement.

Skills

Quality improvement concepts

Lean Six Sigma

Change management

Computer systems

Medical terminology

Project management

Data analysis

Team facilitation

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in health-related field

Industrial engineering background

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