Analyze patient safety events, and communicate with hospital leadership, clinical teams and Risk Management to drive organizational change toward high reliability and zero harm. Provide leadership and direction to multi-disciplinary teams (e.g., physicians, senior leaders) to collaboratively accomplish patient safety improvement strategies at UMMC. Partner with leadership, staff and physicians to provide a planned, systematic, organization-wide approach to identify, measure, monitor, and evaluate patient safety and improvement activities. Work is performed under general direction. Direct report to the Vice President Quality/Patient Experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Assist and/or coordinate and implement activities in the journey to become a high reliability organization with the focus on zero harm.
• Coordinate with leadership to direct the patient safety program.
• Coordinate the Quality-of-Care review process, root cause analysis, and follow up action plans in accordance with The Joint Commission and State of Maryland COMAR Regulations for sentinel and adverse event review, and reporting and improvement plans. Facilitate action plan development and completion.
• Review patient records and prepare patient safety event summaries and timelines necessary for informed, collaborative discussion and problem solving.
• Assist with developing, revising and interpreting policies and procedures. Ensure policies and procedures are in alignment with applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations that govern patient safety.
• Prepare and manage reports to regulatory agencies, including the Joint Commission and Office of Healthcare Quality.
• Work with all departments and Risk Management on risk reduction strategies to enhance patient safety.
• Develop a deep understanding of clinical care and clinical leadership to gain credibility and collaboration from colleagues.
• Partner with leadership to facilitate, prioritize and advance the ongoing focus on a culture of patient safety.
• Lead activities to improve event reporting and response to near miss events.
• Determine utilization of data to drive improvements in patient safety and minimize preventable harm.
• Responsible for communication and education regarding patient safety and risk prevention strategies throughout the hospital and ambulatory setting.
• Develop and implement education for employees and medical staff related to patient safety.
• Serve as a consultant and resource to unit managers and unit/department clinical representatives and assist clinical and ancillary departments with the development of clinical and/or patient safety indicators, criteria, and process improvements.
• Maintain knowledge of and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state, laws, rules and regulations that govern patient safety.
• Serve as project manager and lead for identified patient safety projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations that govern the area of responsibility.
• Working knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and patient safety principles.
• Working knowledge of quality improvement measurement, analysis and improvement strategies.
• Proficiency and demonstrated effectiveness in problem-solving, analytical skills and implementation of new programs.
• Ability to develop collaborative programs and projects with other disciplines.
• Ability to articulate complex concepts related to patient safety, high reliability, and quality improvement in a clear and accessible manner, fostering understanding and engagement among stakeholders.
• Basic project management skills
• Ability to analyze, compare, contrast, and validate work with keen attention to detail.
• Effective skill developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with all levels of leadership, staff and external partners.
• Effective skill presenting findings, conclusions, alternatives and information clearly and concisely at all levels within the organization.
• Effective skill using innovative thinking to solve problems and facilitate the decision-making process.
• Effective skill to influence, negotiate and persuade to reach agreeable exchange and positive outcomes.
• Advanced analytical, conceptual thinking, planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Exhibit high self-motivation and ability to work and plan independently as well as in a team environment.
• Advanced verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Effective skill in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)