PT - Quality Improvement / Intake Nurse

Summary

The Quality Improvement Nurse, in accordance with policies and standards established by the Board of Directors, and under the direct supervision of the Director of Services/Nurses, develops, implements and evaluates the Continuous Quality Improvement Program and activities that support Agency's objectives in delivering quality client care services. S/he is preferably a Licensed Nurse responsible for maintaining the quality of client care in accordance to the agencys objectives and policies, through effective planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of the home health services provided.

Quality Improvement Nurse Responsibilities

• Conducts Quality Improvement Tasks.
• Ensures quality and safe delivery of all client care services as implemented and evaluated per agency policies and procedures.
• Ensures Performance Improvement Nurse Activities reflect current, identified quality of care problems.
• Develops the agenda for and conducts the Quality Improvement Committee meetings in a timely manner.
  • At least quarterly, compiles Quality Improvement Committee minutes summarizing the QAPI Program to include logs (Grievance, Problem-Solver, Incident, Infection Control, and Hospitalization), results from clinical record, and tracking of quality indicators.
• Prepares statistical reports annually and more often if requested on the following:
  • The scope of the Quality Improvement activities performed in comparison to the Agency's Quality Improvement plan.
  • Results of patient, physician, and referral source questionnaires.
  • A summary of patient related and employee related incidents, grievances, errors, and complaints and measures taken or suggested to prevent recurrence.
  • Clinical record review findings and the results of measures taken to correct deficiencies.
• Participates in developing systems for evaluating home health care agency delivery.
• Makes staff aware of home safety practices and provides resources to ensure the safety of the Agency's patients and staff in a timely manner.
• Disseminates information regarding quality improvement activities to staff members in a timely manner.
• Conducts chart audits and assists Administrator in preparing and conducting case conferences as needed.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of client information and assures the confidentiality of clinical records
• Consistently addresses cclient concerns in a timely manner.
• Promotes and maintains an agency environment that is in compliance with federal, state and local regulatory agencies.
• Participates in the development and implementation of educational programs for staff members.
• Provides the in-services per the annual in-service schedule.
• Assists with orientation and on-going training of all employees regarding documentation.
• Works with administrative and supervisory personnel regarding home care visits to assure the high quality and proper follow-up of patient care with regard to patient needs.
• Consults with physicians when necessary to ensure and maintain safe, efficient, and quality patient care.
• Assists the Director of Nursing with answering phone calls pertaining to patient coordination.
• Reviews all reports of complaints, errors, incidents, and grievances to ensure that they are fully documented and properly handled in the time-frame and manner specified by Agency policy.
• Supervises a program for risk management which encompasses written guidelines and provides for supervision of workers on cases with risk factors, such contagious diseases, infection, AIDS, hepatitis, high tech therapies, high tech equipment and supplies, and other situations in which the patient or worker is at risk.
• Participates in professional growth and development.
• Projects a concerned, professional attitude toward departmental personnel.
• Through record review and contact with staff, ensures that physician intervention is sought and documented when indicated.
• Assists as requested in resolving tardy submission of progress notes, delays in billing, and paperwork related errors or problems.
• Establishes and implements a system for discharge planning and for measuring the outcome and benefit of the care rendered by the Agency.
• Monitors productivity requirements for staff on a monthly basis and participates in correcting productivity problems.
• Participates in monitoring medical supplies and ensures that supplies are properly stored, cleaned or maintained, utilized, checked for expiration, inventoried, and billed.
• Assists supervisors as requested in orienting, training, observing, and evaluating their staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Education, Experience & Job Requirements

This position requires at least the following minimum requirements:

• Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse with two years of QI (quality improvement) experience preferred.
• Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating continuous quality improvement programs and activities.
• Ability to demonstrate self-confidence and positive attitude toward self and others.
• Ability to maintain commitment and enthusiasm to goal achievement.
• Attempts development and implementation of better methods.