What are the responsibilities and job description for the PATIENT SAFETY OFFICER position at Excela Health?
The Patient Safety Officer will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the development of comprehensive patient safety improvement initiatives to reduce medical errors and healthcare incidents at Independence Health System. The incumbent has a current understanding of patient safety theory, methods, standards and regulatory requirements along with a commitment to life-long learning to maintain expertise within the field of patient safety. The position provides leadership and expert consultation in the development and oversight of programs that strengthen a patient safety culture and create a safe environment for providing patient care.
Essential Job Functions
- Support the Patient Safety Program system wide.
- Provide leadership and expert consultation in the development and oversight of programs that strengthen a patient safety culture and create a safe environment for providing patient care.
- Participate in the review of the Patient Safety Plan and applicable policies and procedures.
- Member of the Independence Health System Patient Safety Committee and be responsible for presenting cases to the committee, including action taken as a result of the investigation.
- Answer calls 24 / 7 for Patient Safety and serve as coverage to Patient Safety Officer when necessary.
- Participate in both formal and informal proactive risk assessment as it relates to patient safety.
- Monitor compliance with the National Patient Safety Goals.
- Work collaboratively with executives, administrators, doctors, and clinical nursing staff members to develop effective strategies that supports the culture of safety within the organization.
- Ensure clinical services are delivered in compliance with federal and state safety standards.
- Makes available information regarding employees conduct and compliance with established policies and procedures necessary for the professional practice evaluation process for both the medical staff and nursing. Educate staff, volunteers, practitioners, and the community related to patient safety, accreditation and licensure.
- Develop lesson plans, course content and materials for programs.
- Present or facilitate presentation of materials to appropriate audiences.
- Coordinate the investigation of potential near misses, incidents, serious events and sentinel events in conjunction with the Chief Quality Officer.
- Receive and review Compliance Line reports to determine potential events needing further review and investigation.
- Participate in weekly Patient Safety workgroups and present potential cases for review.
- Facilitate investigation of events with department managers, medical staff and other leaders.
- Work to establish a blameless and supportive environment, which balances a non-punitive response to human error, with the appropriate level of accountability for reckless behavior.
- Participate and coordinate root-cause analysis as needed.
- Provide written notification to patients for serious events as defined by Act 13.
- Work closely with the Chief Quality Officer to determine applicability of Act 13 and Joint Commission definitions.
- Complete on-line reporting via PA-PSRS for serious events.
- Participate actively in the coordination and readiness activities related to the Joint Commission accreditation and Department of Health licensure survey.
- Participate and represent Patient Safety with both announced and unannounced surveys.
- Assist in conduction of pre-survey activities including mock surveys or safety rounds.
- Serve as consultant on site to managers, staff and medical staff related issues related to patient safety.
- Other duties as assigned.
Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]
Required Qualifications / Experience
License, Certification & Clearances
Position Type / Expected Hours of Work
Equal Employment Opportunity
Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Work Environment
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and / or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps / shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps / shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps / shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps / shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never
Extreme Heat
Extreme Cold
Heights
Confined Spaces
Extreme Noise(>
85dB)
Mechanical Hazards
Use of Vibrating Tools
Operates Vehicle
Operates Heavy Equipment
Use of Lifting / Transfer Devices
Rotates All Shifts
8 Hours Shifts
10-12 Hours Shifts
On-Call
Overtime( 8 / hrs / shift; 40 / hrs / wk)
Travel Between Sites
Direct Patient Care
Respirator Protective Equipment
Eye Protection
Head Protection (hard hat)
Hearing Protection
Hand Protection
Feet, Toe Protection
Body Protection
Latex Exposure
Solvent Exposure
Paint (direct use) Exposure
Dust (sanding) Exposure
Ethylene Oxide Exposure
Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
Blood / Body Fluid Exposure
Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
Mist Exposure
Wax Stripper (direct use)
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Laser Exposure
Physical Demands
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and / or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps / shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps / shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps / shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps / shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never
Bending (Stooping)
Sitting
Walking
Climbing Stairs
Climbing Ladders
Standing
Kneeling
Squatting (Crouching)
Twisting / Turning
Keyboard / Computer Operation
Gross Grasp
Fine Finger Manipulation
Hand / Arm Coordination
Pushing / Pulling(lbs. of force)
Carry
Transfer / Push / Pull Patients
Seeing Near w / Acuity
Feeling (Sensation)
Color Vision
Hearing Clearly
Pulling / Pushing Objects Overhead
Reaching Above Shoulder Level
Reaching Forward
Lifting Floor to Knuckle (lbs)
Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle (lbs)
Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder (lbs)
Lifting Shoulder to Overhead (lbs)
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and / or transfer device is required.
