At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary

The Senior Patient Safety Specialist will have responsibility for driving the system-wide patient safety program. This leadership role will direct others within the system towards clinical process improvements that will support the reduction of medical/health care errors and other factors that contribute to unintended adverse outcomes. The Senior Patient Safety Specialist will facilitate safety assessments, coordinate the activities of the patient safety committees, educate physicians, nurses, and other practitioners on the system-based causes for medical error. The Senior Patient Safety Specialist will communicate literature-based ideas regarding effective patient safety strategies to others within the organization, and facilitate implementation of the patient safety program at all levels. The Senior Patient Safety Specialist assists in the development of and coordinates improvement projects within the system working in conjunction with physicians, department directors and clinical staff. The Senior Patient Safety Specialist coordinates the collection, analysis and reporting of patient safety and financial data in relation to cost containment and patient safety. The Senior Patient Safety Specialist promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, fosters team work and champions service excellence throughout the system.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelors degree or above in nursing, pharmacy, or related clinical area required, Master preferred

Licenses/ Certifications: CPHRM, CPHQ and/or CPSO, or equivalent required, or Certification within 12 months of employment

Experience / Knowledge / Skills:

• Eight (8) years in Healthcare setting, with clinical care and supervisory experience preferred

• Three (3) years experience in quality, risk, or patient safety activities

• Two (2) years experience in bio-statistical analysis or quantitative analysis

• Proficient in event analysis methodologies

• Knowledge of high reliability methodology

• Self motivated, proven communication skills, assertive

• Strong track record of successful collaborative working relationships in multi-disciplinary teams and with individuals in other key functional areas to achieve desired outcomes

• Background in business planning and targeted outcomes

• Working Knowledge of the concepts associated with Performance Improvement and/or Six Sigma (certification a plus)

• Demonstrated effective working relationships with Executives, Physicians, Directors, and staff

• Ability to serve as liaison to external regulatory and sanctioned reporting agencies to maintain, correct, and facilitate nationwide public reporting of patient safety learning’s and data

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and abilities to present information internally and externally related to patient safety trends, corrective actions, and changes to national and local trends

• Knowledge of evidence based practice guidelines for clinical care and quality, and patient safety

• Ability to work collaboratively with Healthcare professionals at all levels to achieve established goals and improve quality outcomes

Principal Accountabilities

• Conduct the investigation, summary reporting, data analysis, response planning, implementation and follow-up of all events of harm root cause analyses.

• Conduct periodic Common Cause Analyses of individual and system failure mode data.

• Educate and coach staff in conducting Apparent Cause Analyses on precursor and potentially near miss events.

• Participate in and coordinate comprehensive data collection pertaining to patient safety to meet national, state, regional and internal measures.

• Direct activity to meet Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals, including education, monitoring, updating, and policy and procedure compliance.

• Coordinate the Patient Safety Climate survey at all levels of the system.

• Contribute to short term and long term robust process improvement projects to continuously improve patient safety.

• Facilitate and further develop safety coaches at all levels of the system.

• Educate and reinforce leadership and staff in the Breakthroughs in Patient Safety and high reliability behavioral based expectations and leadership management roles.

• Conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analyses on patient safety processes.

• Educate and mentor hospital Patient Safety Specialists in robust process improvement pertaining to patient safety.

• Participate in collecting accurate data pertaining to patient safety indicator and hospital acquired condition measures.

• Sharing of best practices to allow for System-wide learning.

• Collaborate with enterprise quality and patient safety program, in particular the patient safety function, to share knowledge leading to better outcomes.

• Ensures safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.

• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.

• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of our community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences. Models Memorial Hermann’s service standards by providing safe, caring, personalized and efficient experiences to patients and colleagues.

• Other duties as assigned.