Improvement Specialist

Job Title: Full-Time Improvement Specialist
Location: UPMC Hamot
Shift: Monday - Friday, Day Shift

About UPMC Hamot:
UPMC Hamot, a Magnet-designated hospital, is seeking a full-time Improvement Specialist to join our Quality Clinical Effectiveness team. The ideal candidate will bring 5 years of nursing experience, with a preference for individuals who have experience in compliance, value-based purchasing, and process improvement.

Purpose:
The Improvement Specialist will support the multidisciplinary quality improvement functions across the organization to achieve optimal patient outcomes and enhance quality. This role will focus on the development, implementation, and evaluation of performance improvement initiatives to ensure the delivery of the highest quality care.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the assessment of new clinical design projects for implementation at assigned facilities.
• Conduct annual assessments of operations/issues, utilizing data from organizational surveys to help prioritize and set quality, cost, and service goals for the organization.
• Lead or co-facilitate teams based on the annual assessment and organizational goals.
• Play a leadership role in core clinical design team meetings and key committees, assuming delegated leadership duties to support redesign efforts.
• Foster a supportive and collaborative work environment, sensitive to the needs of areas undergoing redesign.
• Assess the developmental stage of workgroups and identify strategies to achieve project goals.
• Coach and advise team members, working collaboratively with their supervisors to ensure effective project involvement.
• Communicate improvements and clinical design activities to work teams, staff, managers, and administrators both verbally and in writing across the organization and UPMC Health System.
• Monitor progress toward goals, applying tracking methods, and recommending necessary adjustments or redesigns for improvement initiatives.
• Collect and present accurate, timely data to demonstrate the results of process improvement efforts.
• Complete special projects and other related duties as assigned.
• Plan team activities with cost-effective strategies, while maintaining a focus on patient care as the center of the work.
• Influence staff acceptance of practice changes by articulating their contributions to clinical improvements and patient care goals.
• Integrate cost-saving opportunities into clinical practice changes.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders such as administrative and medical staff leaders, department heads, and committees to finalize and advance project goals.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with staff, medical staff leaders, and support areas, facilitating the necessary support for clinical design initiatives.
• Model effective methods for data analysis, problem-solving, communication, negotiation, and persuasion.
• Maintain accountability for self-development, particularly in presentation facilitation, change management, and quality improvement practices.
• Mentor staff at the department, unit, and team levels, offering guidance and support.
• Participate in professional organization activities to enhance personal growth and build regional and national relationships.
• Communicate the outcomes and accomplishments of clinical design efforts through formal presentations or publications at local, regional, and national forums.