Description

Are you looking to make an impact in the quality of care to patients? Do you have an interest in improving quality outcome measures through data monitoring and facilitating innovative improvement initiatives? Join the Quality Improvement department team at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside. We are looking for highly motivated, organized, and team-minded individuals who want to promote a strong quality culture.

We are hiring a Full-Time Quality Improvement Specialist to support our value-based care programs. UPMC Presbyterian is a one-time, and UPMC Shadyside is a three-time Magnet-designated hospital respectively with a robust shared leadership structure.

About the Position:

The Quality Improvement department is a cross-campus department in which the Quality Improvement Specialists work collaboratively with department peers, nursing leadership, ancillary leaders, and physicians to improve our quality outcomes. The department works under the direction of the Vice President of Quality (physician).

• Primarily daylight, M-F, no shifts or holidays
• Flexible schedule/hours, Exempt (salaried) position, Minimal travel
• Opportunity to work from home periodically (dependent on department needs, a few days weekly)
• Quality Improvement Specialist career ladder growth
• Ongoing skill development and learning opportunities

Why Work at UPMC?

UPMC is committed to investing in healthcare professionals like you - financially, personally, and professionally. From tuition reimbursement, lifelong learning opportunities, to advancing your career later in life, UPMC is the partner you need to succeed and thrive in your career.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that clinical design projects maintain patient care as the center of the work. Influence staff acceptance of recommended practice changes by articulating the contribution to clinical improvements and established patient care goals. Seek out and integrate cost-saving opportunities into clinical practice changes.
• Consult with essential stakeholders such as administrative and medical staff leaders, department heads, and critical committees as appropriate to finalize and advance the project goals. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, medical staff leaders, and other support areas. Elicit input and advisement in areas where clinical design project work is occurring. Form a partnership with the director of the project area, facilitate work activities and negotiate additional support as needed.
• Assess the developmental stage of the workgroup and identify strategies to meet achievement goals. Coach and advise team members collaboratively with their supervisor as needed to fulfill their role in a project team. Effectively communicate improvements that are made via verbal or written communication of clinical design activity to work for teams, staff, managers, and administrators throughout the organization and UPMC Health System. Ensure the application of a tracking method to monitor progress toward goals and identify the need for a redesign of practice improvements targeted by the clinical design initiative. Collect and present accurate, timely data to display the results of process improvement efforts. When assigned, complete special projects and perform other related duties according to agreed-upon goals and parameters. Utilize cost-effective approaches when planning team activity.
• May have direct reports. Effectively coordinate the assessment of new clinical design projects for implementation at the facility or facilities as assigned. Conduct a yearly assessment of operations/issues and utilize data from other organizational assessments and surveys to contribute to and prioritize the establishment of quality, cost, and service goals of the organization. Lead or co- facilitate teams created from the annual assessment and organizational goals. Assume a leadership role in the core clinical design team meetings and other key committees. Assume delegated leadership role/related duties as needed to support redesign efforts. Create a supportive environment in the department where redesign work is occurring that is sensitive to the issues and needs of that area.
• Role model appropriate and effective methods for data analysis, problem-solving, communication negotiation, and persuasion skills. Maintain accountability for ongoing self-development activities, especially related to presentation facilitation, change management, and application of quality improvement activities. Provide mentorship for individuals at the department/unit/team level. Participate in professional organization activities to enhance personal growth and cultivate relationships in the field at a regional and national level. Communicate clinical design efforts and accomplishments via formal presentations and or publications at local, regional, and national forums when available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Business Administration or related field required at the time of hire/transfer, a Master's degree in Business Administration preferred
• Minimum 5 years of related experience with 3 years of hospital and healthcare experience required
• Knowledge of information systems and process improvement techniques. Must be able to demonstrate skills to understand and interpret data.
• Mobility and visual manual dexterity. Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, and lifting.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• UPMC-approved certification or a Master's degree in a related field is required. Must maintain certification status
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Individuals hired into this role must comply with UPMC's COVID vaccination requirements upon beginning employment with UPMC. Refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Information section at the top of this page to learn more.