RN Performance Improvement/Quality Specialist

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Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on developing and implementing programs to establish, maintain, and improve patient quality care standards. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Performance Improvement/Quality duties: Identifies and executes performance improvement and quality opportunities across the enterprise, enabling successful transformations and driving cost savings, process and product quality, and achievement of business goals. Responsibilities also include partnering with business leaders to provide expert insight on existing processes and procedures, applies process improvement methodologies to achieve PI/Quality objectives, and builds process improvement capabilities. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. An experienced level role that applies practical knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Works independently with general supervision, problems faced are difficult but typically not complex, and may influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practices.

Job Overview

This position supervises services in a designated area according to the policies, procedures, philosophy, and objectives of the department and hospital. Works cooperatively within department and other services to create a system of quality health care.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

Massachusetts RN Licensure. Three (3) years of relevant clinical nursing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Five (5) years of clinical nursing experience.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

Initiates, monitors, and maintains data collection techniques related to identified quality metrics. Collaborates with Inpatient Nursing leadership, Inpatient Clinical staff, and other hospital staff to create and lead Quality Improvement projects using known tools such as PDSA and LEAN methodology. Disseminates data to inpatient leadership team, leadership and various committees. Stays current on best practices using evidence-based standards for inpatient services. Collaborates with Inpatient Nursing leaders and Clinical staff to ensure that compliance with regulatory requirements is in a constant state of readiness. Supports quality improvement projects based on staff reported safety concerns with measurable outcomes. Collaborates with other members of System Quality Team and Departments to improve Quality. Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the organization. Supports improvements in policies, procedures, and practices. Provides quality data and closed loop processes for all care programs (Stroke, Restraint, NSI’s, Conducts analysis of identified quality improvement data. Educates nursing staff on proper method to document nursing procedures and medications. Identifies missing or inaccurate information during chart audits. Provides feedback to staff and/or clinical manager and director, as needed. Multidepartment and multidisciplinary collaboration, across the system, to ensure ongoing improvement efforts reach and sustain high reliability. Continuous Accreditation and Regulatory Readiness guidance and participation for scheduled and non-scheduled surveys.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfer patients and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc. Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases and other transmissible infections. Has contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. Subjected to varying and unpredictable situations. May have contact with hazardous materials. Subjected to irregular hours.

Skills & Abilities

Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, physicians, and healthcare team. Knowledge and application of the nursing process. Knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. Ability to provide care for a designated group of patients according to unit guidelines and hospital policies, procedures and protocols. Ability to handle emergency and crisis situations. Demonstrates understanding of data collection techniques. Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care and provide age-appropriate communication. Maintains a working knowledge of all coding and reimbursement resources. Demonstrates knowledge regarding statistical data analysis.

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at careers@tuftsmedicine.org.