Quality Improvement Specialist at Ketchikan… · Ketchikan

Job Summary

Incumbent will assist and support all quality improvement initiatives within KICTHC. This includes a focus on quality, risk management, patient safety, core measures, data analysis, regulatory compliance, and process improvements across the organization. The specialist will work closely with administration, healthcare providers, and staff to enhance awareness of quality and patient safety, facilitating improvement efforts in all areas of the organization. In this position, the specialist will manage significant clinical event investigations and reporting, coordinate regulatory surveys, and facilitate education and training related to quality and safety. The position demands ongoing education and training to stay updated on changes in standards and regulations, as well as fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders to promote a culture of continuous performance improvement.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Facilitates quality improvement initiatives using evidence-based methodologies (PDSA, Lean, Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, etc.) to improve clinical outcomes and operational performance.
• Collects, analyzes, and interprets quality and clinical data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas of risk.
• Leverages electronic health records and other data management systems to develop meaningful reports, dashboards, and other data visualizations that translate complex data into actionable information that supports strategic planning, operational improvements, and data-informed decision making.
• Partners with department leaders to develop meaningful, reportable, and evidence-based quality indicators that drive measurable improvements in population health, preventative diseases, avoidable utilization and hospitalization, and enhance the overall health of the Tribal community.
• Supports the clinic’s Risk Management Program by investigating incidents and adverse events, facilitates multidisciplinary reviews, and works collaboratively with departments to implement corrective actions to strengthen patient safety and regulatory compliance, while reducing risk.
• Assists in maintaining AAAHC accreditation compliance with Quality and Safety Standards through coordination of QAPI studies, peer review, quality measure reporting, conducting internal and external benchmarking, and collaborating with departments to implement and sustain performance improvement initiatives.
• Empowers leaders and teams through quality improvement education and training including PDSA methodology, root cause analysis, process mapping, data interpretation, and data reporting systems to support sustainable process improvements and measurable outcomes.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and demonstrated understanding of healthcare policies and procedures including safety issues.

• Knowledge of accreditation requirements for an ambulatory healthcare system.

• Knowledge of group processes and ability to lead teams.

• Skilled in good judgment, assertiveness, and dependability to perform assigned job duties.

• Skill to operate software programs with knowledge of Microsoft applications.

• Ability to communicate patient rights and responsibilities to patients, family members, and staff while being sensitive to the needs of patients and employees.

• Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal culture and lifestyle, working effectively with AI/AN populations.

• Effective oral and written communication skills with sensitivity to the lifestyles of targeted participants.

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with all applicable federal and tribal privacy laws and KIC policy (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.).

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.

• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

KIC Competencies

Cultural Competency: To be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of KIC Tribal Members. Developing cultural competence is an evolving, dynamic process that takes time and occurs along a continuum.

Uphold Values: To make decisions and behave in a manner consistent with KIC Workplace Values of Trust, Teamwork, Respect, and Accountability, as well as Southeast Traditional Tribal Values “Our Way of Life”.

Commitment: To serve Tribal Members and set a high standard for yourself in your performance; strive for results and success; convey a sense of urgency and bring issues to closure; and stay persistent despite obstacles and opposition.

Customer Service: Meet/exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identify, understand, and monitor the needs of both internal and external customers; always talk and act with customers in mind; and recognize working colleagues as customers.

Effective Communication: Ensure important information is passed to those who need to know' convey necessary information with respect, clearly and effectively orally or in writing.

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrate a high level of conscientiousness' hold oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and do the required fair share of work.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb, or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The noise level in the work environment is usually average.

Conditions of Hire

• May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license or capable of obtaining one, as well as be insurable by KIC’s company insurance.
• KIC is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employees must adhere to KIC drug and alcohol policies and procedures to ensure a safe workplace. Employees must pass a pre-employment and subsequent random and/or for cause drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.

KIC has several positions that must comply with the P.L. 101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (ICPA); all employment offers in the "covered" classification are conditional until KIC has received a Federal criminal background check verifying eligibility to work in these programs.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Associates degree in healthcare, administration, or other related fields.
• Minimum two (2) years’ work experience in health care administration or related field.
• Proof of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• On a year-for-year basis, a combination of relevant experience, education, and training may substitute for education and experience requirements.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in health care related field preferred.
• Three (3) years’ experience in health care administration or related field.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) preferred; equivalent certifications in healthcare quality, patient safety, or risk management accepted (CPPS, CPHRM, CHC, CHDA).