Principal Quality Consultant - Detroit, MI

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under minimal supervision from the VP, Director and/or Manager, Office of Clinical Quality and Safety, the Principal Quality Consultant is responsible for the facilitation of multiple Continuous Improvement efforts and applies a variety of improvement methodologies and group management techniques to support individuals and teams through process improvement initiatives. This individual performs assessment/analyses related to area of professional/technical expertise (i.e., Accreditation/Quality/Risk/Infection Control/Safety/Policy Management) and educates other Quality staff members in these areas. Project work may include technical/professional analyses or may require facilitation of a large multi-disciplinary group of administrators and/or medical personnel. Prepares reports and recommendations for management and coordinates implementation whenever possible. This individual provides needed continuous improvement training and education and works closely with other leadership to meet education needs at all levels throughout the institution. Serves as a consultant to other HFHS departments. Communicates regularly with Management on specific projects and/or emerging trends. Flexibility, innovation, and creativity are necessary characteristics of the successful candidate. Individual is expected to continuously learn key content related to area of expertise; apply new continuous improvement methodologies; and to spread successful innovation through the institution.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works Independently with minimal or no direction. Consults with system/operating unit leadership as appropriate.
• Comfortable and effective in interacting independently with C-Suite leaders and physician leaders.
• Independently leads and facilitates assigned initiatives, in a consulting capacity, in support of organizational improvement [within a function] that will drive or have direct  impact on process improvements, standardization; reducing waste, and enhancing patient safety/quality improvement; and/or customer satisfaction.
• Assesses organizational performance (e.g., a function, a department, a key process, etc.) in relation to established goals and standards; recommend new approaches, policies, and procedures to effect continual progress toward goals and standards.
• Develops improvement action plans, quantifies the benefits, and provides leadership and mentoring to ensure implementation. Can implement the plan in partnership with the appropriate champion and process owner.
• Coaches & mentors team members and process owners at all levels of the organization to utilize a defined PDCA process improvement methodology, incorporating PI methods that ensure the use and appropriate interpretation of data for decision making.
• Develops effective communication methods to educate staff; keep informed of key initiatives/projects.
• Able to independently influence the thinking and actions of directors and executives. Independently, guides the production of creative solutions.
• Develops and provides expertise using change management tools and methods for more complex and sophisticated change initiatives to ensure successful and sustainable implementation of improvements.
• Anticipates and works strategically to guide teams based on advanced knowledge of healthcare trends and issues. (operating unit and/or systemwide).
  Provides expertise and tools to managers, leaders, etc. to develop and sustain process improvements.
• Demonstrates ability to take on facilitator or leader role within highly complex projects with minimal coaching and is a known coaching resource for others.
• Shows no hesitation about taking the lead in any situation, even in the presence of significant ambiguity.
• Conducts written and oral project updates for senior management and other leaders.
• Researches best practices; utilizes information technology (as appropriate) to support decision making.