Clinical Quality Consultant - Process Improvement (RN)

Facilitates and leads the monitoring, evaluation and improvement of the quality of patient care and patient safety throughout the Cottage Health System for assigned patient populations and improvement initiatives.

* Facilitates leadership sponsored performance improvement teams.

a) Facilitates project teams by demonstrating and coaching application of appropriate process improvement (PI) methods and tools.

b) Guides the development and management of the improvement action plans ensuring that project teams achieve established targets.

c) Prepares reports of all activities, goal achievement and barriers for leadership.

d) Conducts post-project follow-up evaluations to assess performance gaps and recommends appropriate actions and accountabilities.

* Supports regulatory, accreditation and certification programs to include, but not limited to, on site survey support, action plan development and implementation, and audits of performance metrics.

* Researches and develops indicators, analyzes and interprets data and creates meaningful reports to support overall quality monitoring, OPPE and specific improvement initiatives.

* Researches evidence-based best practices, leads development and on-going maintenance of ordersets, protocols and educational materials.

Keeps current on emerging best practices for patient care and safety.

* Provides education, training and mentoring of managers, facing leaders and individuals in quality improvement methodology and OPPE.

Stays current in new methodologies, regulatory requirements and national trends.

* Actively pursues professional development.

Seeks to continuously expand knowledge of improvement methodologies and leadership systems by participating in workshops, conferences or educational events.

* Audits medical records using sound nursing judgement and ensuring accurate and timely data submission to meet quality standards and harvest dates.

Provides feedback to nursing, ancillary staff and physicians on deviations from standards of care.

All job qualifications listed indicate the minimum level necessary to perform this job proficiently.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION Minimum: Registered Nurse or a Bachelor's Degree in a related healthcare field.

Preferred: Masters degree in Nursing, Business, Health Care Administration or related field.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Minimum: CA RN license Preferred: CPHQ or LEAN certification YEARS OF RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE Minimum: Two (2) years of healthcare quality experience and five (5) years of clinical RN experience.

Preferred: Five (5) years of hospital quality experience.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Minimum: Intermediate proficiency in computer applications relevant to Quality, Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint.

Knowledge of process improvement methods/PDSA.

Preferred: Knowledge of specific improvement methodologies including root cause analysis, failure modes and effects analysis, rapid cycle improvement, LEAN.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES All knowledge, skills, and abilities listed indicate the minimum level deemed necessary to perform this job proficiently.

* Excellent critical thinking skills, able to work with mathematical concepts and interpret data Ability to sequence, prioritize, and manage multiple activities.

Ability to anticipate problems and initiate corrective action.

* Strong team player, able to foster relationships and work with difficult people.

Strong interpersonal skills that reflect a positive attitude and a sense of commitment to the department, work associates, and community.

* Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively Excellent presentation skills.

* Able to work independently Knowledge of current patient care practices Self-motivated to continue growth in job skills and responsibilities Accepts ownership for outcomes of own work.

Keeps a commitment and can be counted on to follow up.