Job Description

The Patient Safety & Quality Consultant Sr. is a thought partner with VCUHS executive, physician, nursing and ancillary leaders in strategic planning and implementation of data-driven initiatives to achieve clinical excellence at the system, service line and care site level. The role serves as a coach, facilitator, or advisor as appropriate for the needs of the organization. The Patient Safety & Quality Consultant Sr. serves as a subject matter expert in established performance improvement techniques and strategies. The role is responsible for leading the successful management of change to ensure improvements are spread and a sustainability plan is implemented. The Patient Safety & Quality Consultant Sr. manages improvement projects and multi-disciplinary teams through all phases, from inception to implementation and spread. This role provides formal and just-in-time education on safety & quality improvement methodologies to increase organizational improvement capability. The role mentors department and hospital staff in Safety, Quality and Project Management methodologies and tools. The role reports to their manager under the Director of their division of the Department of Quality & Safety.

Essential Job Statements

Lead the integration of safety & quality into the fabric of the organization to achieve care targets. Advance the organization through leading collaboration, learning and communication.

• Lead the implementation of processes for engagement and teamwork

• Create learning opportunities to advance the organization

• Communicate effectively in multiple venues via multiple routes

• Ensure appropriate use of data to drive change and improvement

• Serve as mentor and subject matter expert in above

Use proven methods to facilitate improvement initiatives

• Lead the use of performance and process improvement tools

• Lead the implementation of change management methodology

• Lead the employment of project management tactics

• Serve as mentor and subject matter expert in above

Leverage data analytics to help guide decision-making and inform improvement initiatives

• Design and implement data structure and plans to support initiatives

• Integrate data from multiple sources into initiatives

• Use statistical and data visualization methods

• Serve as mentor and subject matter expert in above

Cultivate a safe healthcare environment by promoting safe practices, nurturing a just culture and improving processes that detect, mitigate, or prevent harm

• Facilitate root cause analyses and FMEAs

• Ensure incorporation of high-reliability principles to improvement initiatives

• Ensure focus remains on process-driven solutions rather than people-driven ones

• Promote psychological safety through transparency of data and information.

• Serve as mentor and subject matter expert in above

Evaluate and improve healthcare processes and care transitions to advance the safe, equitable, efficient, effective, and timely care of our diverse patient population.

• Lead the integration of population health management strategies into initiatives

• Apply a holistic approach to improvement

• Collaborate to improve care processes and transitions

Maintain & update knowledge base

• Update professional knowledge applicable to the role by participating in and leading education opportunities such as reading professional publications and networking locally and regionally.

• Complete required continuing education to maintain certification (as applicable).

Ensure responsibility and visible commitment of diversity equity and inclusion strategy, programs, and initiatives through collaboration and implementation of initiatives across the health system.

Performs other duties as assigned and leading special projects in order to support the mission of VCUHS and the HR Business Advisory team. Accepting alternate responsibilities as required.

Patient Population

Not applicable to this position.

Employment Qualifications

Required Education:

Master's Degree in healthcare field (e.g. MSHA, MPH, MSN, MHA), Quality Engineering, Business Administration or related field or currently enrolled in a master's program

Preferred Education:

N/A

Licensure/Certification Required:

Current license in the Commonwealth of Virginia (e.g. Registered Nurse, Pharmacist, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietitian or similar) if candidate holds a professional license

Licensure/Certification Preferred:

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) preferred
Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) preferred
Certified Project Manager (PMP) preferred
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt preferred

Project Management Professional (PMP) or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) or Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) required within 1 year to maintain position

Minimum Qualifications

Years and Type of Required Experience

Minimum of four (4) years’ experience in Patient Safety/Quality & Process Improvement/Project Management

Experience leading change initiatives in a large, complex health care delivery system

Proficient in using a personal computer and software applications to include the Internet, e-mail, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), MS Project, Visio

Years and Type of Preferred Experience

Experience in an academic medical center environment

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Previous experience applying and explaining statistical process control tools; conducting group facilitation/presentation; and designing data collection tools

Cultural Responsiveness

Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

N/A

☒ Combination of education and experience in lieu of a degree.

Working Conditions
Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

General office environment.
May have periods of constant interruptions.

Prolonged periods of working alone.

Other: ​May be required to car travel to off-site locations occasionally​

Physical Requirements

Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.)

Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.)

Bending

Work Position

Sitting, Walking, Standing

Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards

Physical Requirements

Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)
Repetitive arm/hand movements

Finger Dexterity

Hazards

N/A

Mental/Sensory

Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional

Fast-paced environment, Steady Pace, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.