At Houston Methodist, the Quality Outcomes Specialist position is responsible for assessing and facilitating clinical systems and/or processes to ensure that care delivered is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable. This position identifies outcomes variances, taking initiative for timely resolution of potential concerns, and utilizes ability to synthesize an analysis of complex systems, developing and implementing solutions to improve complex processes and goals. Other responsibilities include supporting and promoting the organization-wide clinical performance improvement/patient safety program and culture; and serving as departmental expert for areas of expertise, sharing knowledge, effective tools and educational materials as appropriate.

　　PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Leads facility partners to bring expert assessment and problem solving skills to ensure reliable, safe systems of care for all patients.

　　Develops and maintains positive working relationships with leadership, physicians, colleagues and peers and works collaboratively to achieve desired outcomes.

　　Collaborates and effectively communicates and drives culture of safety and high reliability initiatives; partners with leadership and clinicians to implement improvements. Increases patient safety and evidence based practice awareness and practice among clinicians and staff through mentoring and education.

　　Manages project and process improvement expectations to stakeholders, sponsors and others advising them on project progress, potential issues, obstacles, conflicts or challenges.

　　SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Serves as a key quality contact with leadership, managers and staff responsible for the execution of corrective actions initiatives/projects and compliance with customer requirements.

　　Supports leadership with the development and implementation of quality improvement and patient safety process changes. Makes recommendations for unit-based process change activities. Evaluates the effectiveness of process change initiatives.

　　QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Facilitates and leads process and performance improvement teams and initiatives. Participates in and facilitates unit-based and departmental process change activities. Evaluates the effectiveness and sustainability of process change initiatives and makes changes as necessary to achieve goals.

　　Tracks, analyzes, and uses data for trending and develops appropriate action plans and strategies in collaboration with clinicians and leadership.

　　Abstracts pertinent information and enters into department databases using standardized methods and processes to maintain data integrity. Presents meaningful reports and analysis with measurement description, statistical information, and benchmarking information. Creates and presents executive summaries as needed to various audiences to drive change.

　　Focuses on implementing and reinforcing principles that support a high-reliability organization. Contributes to the continued improvement of patient safety practices, employs evidence based practice and researches high reliability practices through national Patient Safety Organizations (e.g., Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF), Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), National Quality Forum (NQF)). Facilitates systems' design to hardwire patient safety processes.

　　FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Utilizes efficient and cost-effective work practices with department resource and supplies; provides recommendations to reduce expenses.

　　Facilitates performance improvement projects/initiatives to improve outcomes, ultimately impacting hospital finances.

　　GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement in accordance with hospital leadership.

　　Analyzes and assesses present and future needs, trends, challenges, and opportunities related to hospital processes and operations.

　　Communicates innovative and best practices to hospital leadership and clinicians. Identifies opportunities to align policy and procedure with regulatory/accreditation requirements.

　　This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

　　EDUCATION

　　Bachelor's degree in nursing

　　Master's degree preferred

　　WORK EXPERIENCE

　　Four years of experience in direct patient care activities in a hospital setting

　　Two years of experience in Hospital Quality Improvement, Case Management or Utilization Management role preferred

　　Two years of leadership experience preferred

　　LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

　　RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 90 days or

　　RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 90 days

　　LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

　　CPHQ - Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) and

　　CPSO - Certified Patient Safety Officer (IBFCSM) and

　　CPPS - Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CBPPS)

　　KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

　　Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

　　Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

　　Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

　　Demonstrates knowledge and application of process improvement tools and techniques (statistical process control tools and team tools)

　　Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory and accrediting standards as they apply to performance improvement

　　Skill in developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with a wide variety of healthcare professionals and hospital leadership

　　Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions and evidence performance improvement via measurable results

　　Ability to enter and abstract data using personal computer, as well as the ability to utilize data to facilitate the improvement and change in processes

　　Computer skills to include Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

　　Ability to facilitate performance improvement teams, present data and promote a collaborative approach toward goal achievement

　　Ability to work independently and interdependently

　　Presentation skills and expertise in designing and implementing teams/educational offerings related to clinical quality

　　SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

　　WORK ATTIRE

　　Uniform No

　　Scrubs No

　　Business professional Yes

　　Other (department approved) No

　　ON-CALL*

　　*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

　　On Call* NoTRAVEL**

　　Travel specifications may vary by department

　　May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

　　May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

　　Company Profile:

　　Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation’s leading centers for medical education and research. In 2022, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its prestigious Honor Roll for the sixth time. Also, in this year’s rankings, Houston Methodist Hospital was named the No. 1 hospital in Texas for the 11th year in a row. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 946 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and nearly 8,500 employees, Houston Methodist Hospital offers complete care for patients from around the world.

　　Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

　　Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

　　Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.