Quality Improvement Specialist

POSITION PURPOSE: The Quality Improvement Specialist will inspire, influence, and empower others to achieve organizational quality goals in keeping with Community Health Center’s overall mission, vision, and values. They work closely with the Compliance Program Manager and the Nurse Informaticist to respond to the strategic vision of the organization’s senior leadership team. They are responsible for coordinating quality improvement activities with clinical leaders in medical, nursing, mental health, psychiatry, and dental departments. They support the development and maintenance of systems within the organization using data and reviewing standard measures that will support initiatives to deliver consistent, high-quality care to the community. Quality Improvement Specialist will serve as an essential liaison between senior leadership and staff supporting clinical care. They will also be responsible for creating workflows that comply with regulatory agencies and organizations including HRSA, PCMH, VDH, and others. They will have oversight of grant reporting for clinical QI grants, Patient Centered Medical Home submissions and access to confidential salary and performance metrics.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: A: Education & Experience: • Bachelor's Degree • Ideal Candidate has a Master of Public Health or in related field • Experience working in an ambulatory health care setting strongly preferred • Experience leading quality improvement initiatives in an ambulatory care setting • Familiarity with basic premises of preventive health care and chronic disease states B) Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: • Demonstrated program planning, operational and process improvement ability in ambulatory health care setting. • Proven ability to meet quality metrics by leading data driven quality improvement initiatives and creating organizational improvements. • Project management experience with demonstrated ability to create engagement and support of multiple, diverse team members. • Ability to work collaboratively with clinical and operational leaders and staff to effect change. • Ability to work independently, to solve problems creatively and with initiative. • Energetic, detail oriented, ability to multitask, enthusiastic team player • Demonstrate moderate to high level of competence in the use of Microsoft Excel, Access, Word and Outlook and familiarity with network systems. • Proven ability in data management and data analytics and to use data to prioritize, plan and measure performance. • Experience with data visualization software e.g., Tableau or willingness to learn. • Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations.

Licensure, Certification or Other Requirements: The information below is intended to describe the general nature and level of work required for this position. The information is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and/or duties required. Community Health Centers (CHC) reserves the right to add, remove or revise job duties and responsibilities as demanded by business needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (see Section VIII): 

A) Quality Program • Under the direction of the Director of Quality, Risk, and Compliance and working closing with the nurse informaticist and Data analyst, oversees the development of a data driven comprehensive quality improvement program inclusive of the analysis and trending of data related to initiatives. Systematically reviews data sets to ensure accuracy and assists with manual data capture from external systems when required. • Leads and inspires engagement in quality Improvement activities across the organization. • Member of the Quality Committee and leader of Quality Improvement focus groups. • Provides regular, transparent communication of quality activities to leadership including the Clinical Practice Committee and staff with updates regarding ongoing initiatives. • Attends meetings related to quality improvement, grants, and other FQHC quality peer groups that serve the needs of the Community Health Centers. • Manages Quality Program activities. ▪ Creates policies and procedures needed to support excellent clinical care. ▪ Participates in the review and update of existing policies and procedures for quality programs. ▪ Utilizes data sets that include information about confidential provider performance ▪ as it relates to achieving CHC strategic quality goals. 

B) Population Health Data Analysis and Reporting • Working with Nurse Informaticist to develop, implement, and maintain a reporting and auditing system and schedule for the collection and analysis of indicators including Uniform Data System (UDS) measures, Blueprint and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) standards, and quality grant deliverables. • Develops reporting mechanisms that identify opportunities for improving departmental systems and processes. • Supports the creation of data sets that include information about social determinants of health, risk factors, and confidential patient information. • Responsible for grant reporting requirements for select clinical quality improvement grants. 

C) Interdepartmental • Encourages and models open communication with other departments, ensuring effective interdepartmental functioning. • Works closely with front line clinical and operational staff and CHC leadership to assist in developing workflows to achieve quality improvement goals. • In conjunction with clinical leadership and medical staff, oversees and coordinates quality improvement initiatives. • Participates and coordinates various committees and projects to facilitate the compliance of regulatory requirements and quality goals. Demonstrates the ability to maintain a positive, achievement-oriented attitude that influences others to do the same; demonstrates willingness to work through conflict in a productive manner; invites information, constructive criticism, and cooperation from others; demonstrates integrity through respecting confidentiality and exhibiting high standards of personal conduct. 

D) Compliance Responsibilities 1. Responsible for reporting of data/statistics relating to quality plan, including confidential staff performance and compensation metrics. 2. Responsible for conducting workflow and documentation audits as needed and/or requested by Senior Leadership. 3. Aids the Compliance Program Manager in grant reporting, UDS reporting, and performs grant responsibilities as needed. 4. Provides oversight and takes lead role in ensuring organizational wide PCMH preparation and implementation, in addition to PCMH annual reporting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS (see section VIII):

 • Weight-Related Functions: Position requires ability to lift, carry, push/pull items that weigh between 0 – 10 lbs • General Functions: Position is primarily sedentary with occasional standing walking and bending. • Hand Manipulations: Position requires hand manipulation to use a keyboard and mouse on a daily basis. • Foot Manipulations: Position does not require excessive foot manipulations except when walking • Sensory Functions: Position requires the ability to view a computer screen, see fine details, and hear normal speech. • Environmental Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor, environmentally controlled office setting. VI. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Relationships: All CHC employees must maintain professional and effective working relationships with patients, staff and the public. Customer Service: All CHC employees must provide high quality customer service to both internal customers (fellow employees), and external customers (patients and business associates) on a consistent basis. Confidentiality: All CHC employees must protect the confidentiality of all patients, patient care, staff/personnel information, business and proprietary information, and financial information. Employees must read and acknowledge receipt of CHC’s Confidentiality Policy. Compliance: Employees must complete the required trainings and adhere to the Code of Conduct, and policies in the Employee Handbook. Employees must read and acknowledge receipt of CHC’s Code of Conduct and Employee Handbook.