Patient Safety and Process Improvement Specialist

This position includes two areas of responsibility: Patient Safety/ Process Improvement Specialist

This position is responsible for performing patient safety investigations across UPH-Dubuque as well as patient safety event data analysis and activities in support of UPH’s enterprise safety initiatives. This position assists in the resolution of safety issues/concerns by facilitating root cause analysis and action planning with cross-functional teams, leading them through process improvement activities utilizing evidence-based quality improvement tools and methodologies.

The Process Improvement Specialist is responsible for helping to build an organization-wide culture of continuous improvement. To do this, this position partners with key stakeholders to lead improvements. Additionally. This position supports staff within each department as they embed improvement tools and methodologies into their culture. This position utilizes a variety of Six Sigma, Lean, Process Mapping and Change Management tools to accomplish these objectives. It is of utmost importance this position excels in relationship building and focuses on top notch customer service.

Why UnityPoint Health? 

• Commitment to our Team – We’ve been named a  Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare 2022  by Becker’s Healthcare for our commitment to our team members. 
• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you Come for a fulfilling career and experience  a culture  guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve. 
• Benefits – Our competitive  Total Rewards  program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. 
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. 
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and  development opportunities  is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience. 
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. 

Visit us at UnityPoint.org/careers to hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work.  https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org/  

Patient Safety: Clinical Event Identification & Investigation

• Reviews daily RL report listings for potential defined Safety Events and initiates appropriate notifications and initial review.
• Leads patient safety investigations including chart reviews, staff and provider interviews, collection/analysis of other relevant documents.
• Identifies contributing factors such as environmental factors, human factors etc.

Patient Safety: RCA Facilitation & Corrective Action Planning/Implementation

• Facilitates cross functional teams in the completion of the investigation and documentation using defined tools and the Safety Event Response.
• Assures completed tools including RCAs and the Action Plan are shared with UPH Finley Hospital Critical Event Committee (CEC) and when appropriate the Enterprise CEC.
• Coordinates monitoring and action plan tracking for serious safety events and reports follow-up as appropriate.

Process Improvement: Facilitating Improvements

• Partners with key stakeholders and managers and provides consultation as a subject matter expert.
• Investigates core business processes and develops recommendations for improvement and facilitates implementation to resolve matters of significance on behalf of management.
• Effectively facilitates a variety of audiences through a variety of methods.
• Carries out major assignments in conducting operations by improving processes and efficiencies.
• Partners with Analytics or Quality to support data collection and analysis.
• Organizes work efforts and accountability in a project environment.
• Prepares documentation and supplies.

Patient Safety and Process Improvement: UPH - Dubuque Resource

• Serves as a Just Culture champion and provides education as needed including during New Leader U.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in patient safety science (ie Human Factors Analysis) and provides internal consultation and education/training as needed.
• Facilitates prevention, identification and reporting of patient safety issues and problems, role-modeling nonpunitive approaches to improvement.
• Demonstrates ability to prioritize multiple investigations/projects, meet deadlines, and manage multiple customer relationships using workplans, timelines, project measures.
• Adaptable to meet the needs of the customer.
• Attend and participate in team meetings.
• Aid in the development of an action plan for department opportunities for improvement.
• Keeps the patient as the center of decision making.

Process Improvement: Training of Improvement Tools and Methodologies

• Strong understanding of process improvement tools, methodologies and UPH Management System.
• Ability to mentor staff.
• Easily translates process improvement to individual needs with staff.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.