Process Improvement Engineer

At Houston Methodist, the Process Improvement Engineer is responsible for leading the work of interdisciplinary teams in the execution and implementation of performance improvement and patient safety initiatives directed at improving quality of care and operational efficiencies. The Process Improvement Engineer serves as project manager, coach, mentor and leader on a range of quality, safety, financial and performance improvement projects, while overseeing the development, deployment and training of interdisciplinary Quality Teams through hands on project engagement. He/She serves as a performance and process improvement expert on measurement and analysis methods and acts as a change agent for the organization to provide quantitative quality expertise and quality engineering support for initiatives and actions designed to improve operational performance and processes.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Organizes and develops multi-disciplinary groups that work toward process improvement. Works in collaboration with other Performance Improvement (PI) operations staff to ensure synergy in duties and reporting. Demonstrates ability to integrate in to multiple work teams.

• Collaborates in an interdisciplinary manner on organization-wide performance improvement, patient safety and data management/analysis functions to maximize outcomes.

• Supports reporting requests from customers both inside and outside the department while complying with all physician privilege, patient confidentiality and HIPAA constraints. Utilizes communication skills to ensure cohesive, smooth operation of the department.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitates system design to hardwire high reliability processes. Supports leadership and staff with the development and implementation of process changes.

• Documents data sources, organizes and synthesizes results into audience-appropriate reports and presentations. Meets or exceeds all timelines for completion.

• Organizes aggregated information and/or data to support the departmental mission to present cohesive and succinct reports. Uses statistical tools and standardized graphic models appropriate for data and intended audience for preparing reports.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides basic analyses of organization wide or project specific performance against patient safety, quality and outcome measures. Utilizes results from performance improvement activities to identify and prioritize areas of focus for improvement. Routinely conducts process surveillance to identify potential process deficiencies. Evaluates and provides input on effectiveness of performance improvement initiatives.

• Presents meaningful reports and analyses with measurement description, statistical information and benchmarks.

• Leads improvement efforts for potential or actual quality of care/risk issues including participating/facilitating RCA, FMEA, or event review as needed. Summarizes events and presents findings as indicated.

• Manages multiple projects through the entire project life cycle. Employs breadth of knowledge to acquire data, connect data to information, draw action plans and coach department and project teams to their targets.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with other departments to monitor use of resources. Participates in cost reduction efforts through making recommendations to mitigate risk.

• Proactively identifies quality and safety improvement opportunities aimed at cost reduction through analysis of data.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Designs, develops and implements project plans related to strategic quality and safety initiatives. Manages reporting of these projects/measures of improvement to internal departments/committees. Provides oversight of these projects to ensure desirable outcomes are met.

• Employs ability to participate in and lead a project and understand customer's work flow and key critical success factors.

• Utilizes technical skills necessary to analyze current processes and understand customer's business strategy. Identify clinical and business system requirements through process and workflow analysis with minimal guidance.

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 healthcare administration, business administration, or health sciences required; master's degree in healthcare administration, business administration or public health preferred

• Lean management or Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience in quality improvement or performance improvement methodology, project participation and using data analysis software

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

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

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills for both internal and external customers

• Ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary manner to drive best solutions in process improvement

• Ability to gather and document project based functional user requirements

• Researches opportunities for performance improvement, establishes plans and coordinates teams in achieving performance improvement

• Knowledge of process mapping/value stream mapping tools, database design and management

• Knowledge of principles of patient safety

• Knowledge of statistical analyses, techniques and software

• Ability to independently analyze and solve problems

• Proficiency in use of Office and project efficiency tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Word and statistical packages)

• Attention to detail with a high priority for timely and accurate information

• Ability to work independently, as well as on cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams

• Strong time management/organizational skills

• Ability to effectively facilitate teams

• Project management skills

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* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specificatio

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