Director Quality-Patient Safety

At CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs patients are at the heart of our care. Our campus is designed to heal the body mind and spirit of every person in a more comfortable less stressful hospital environment. Our full range of medical services include a new pavilion featuring enhancements in heart and vascular care surgery maternity cancer care and diagnostic imaging.

This position is responsible for the design, coordination, implementation and management of the Organization’s Performance Improvement (PI) and Patient Safety plans and identifies opportunities for improved patient care and outcomes and reductions in harm, with the implementation of evidence-based practices. Provides leadership in defining, implementing and integrating quality, safety, service and efficiency strategies into the plans, policies, and organizational processes that affect the organization’s operations and strategic direction.

Director Quality & Patient Safety

Location: Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs, IA

Establishes performance improvement goals annually with relevant stakeholders. Ensures the Performance Improvement Plan and the hospital-focused projects for the year are implemented and their effectiveness is evaluated annually. Develops and implements processes and formats which support data collection, aggregation, analysis, and action planning. Assures data is managed appropriately and disseminated to appropriate leadership staff. Provides leadership in developing quality improvement and patient safety training programs and coaches organizational clinical/service lines and operational/support departments in quality improvement principles.

Implements and oversees the organization-wide patient safety program and manages the reporting, data analysis and evaluation as outlined in the Patient Safety Plan. Oversees the events reporting process, root cause analyses, investigations and requests from the claims team (including management of subpoenas, Summons and Complaints, and coordination of legal documents related to hospital liability). Participates in system office initiatives and programs to mitigate risks in the facility which have been identified at other hospitals, resulting in reduced costs, adverse patient outcomes and ultimately safer patient practices and care.

Collaborates with the Medical Staff and Organizational Leadership to develop and enhance safe patient care while achieving optimal outcomes, including the organization’s peer review program and ongoing and focused practitioner evaluation.

Provides leadership and is responsible for accreditation and regulatory survey readiness. Oversees mock survey tracers to assess survey readiness. Provides education to staff and providers on regulatory compliance. Organizes required staff to develop responses to survey deficiencies and submits responses to the appropriate accreditation or regulatory agency.

Has overall accountability for assigned work group relative to operational goals, personnel requirements, and budgetary constraints.

• Bachelor's degree in a healthcare-related field or five (5) years of related job or industry experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive management responsibility in a health care setting, two (2) of which is related to managing an acute care organization’s Quality Improvement Program.
• Minimum of two (2) years of clinical, patient care experience or equivalent.

• Current State License in a clinical field. Five (5) years’ experience in Quality Management can be used in lieu of state license.

  Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), or Healthcare Quality and Management Certification (HCQM), or Certificate of Professional Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety (CPQPS) within

  2 years of employment is required.