Process Improvement Specialist

Northern Light Health

Department: Patient Safety

Position is located: Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Summary:

The Process Improvement Specialist manages, organizes, coordinates, supports, and participates in process and performance measurement and improvement activities for Northern Light Health member organizations. This role incorporates quality and safety tools and strategies to serve as a resource, consultant and educator for frontline staff, managers, directors, physicians, and leaders within Northern Light Health. This includes oversight of policies and procedures of operations, development of performance indicators and monitoring to facilitate improvement. This role will drive improvement in patient outcomes through collaboration, continuous monitoring, and implementation to meet goals. The Process Improvement Specialist will work closely with local and system Risk Management Specialists to ensure strong collaboration and efforts that align with organization areas of risk and opportunity.

Responsibilities:

* Works with stakeholders of all levels (front line clerical and clinical staff, department directors, committee chairs, providers, chiefs of service, etc.) to develop process improvement projects, provide continuous support for the project and encourage dynamic adjustments in project approach when desired results are not met.
* Screens occurrences and poor clinical quality results through auditing of the patient's medical record, as well as through data provided via multiple platforms; Cerner, Power Insight, Tableau, etc. to address potential areas of focus for patient safety and performance improvement priorities.
* Coordinates and supports the collection, analysis, reporting and processing of data to determine opportunities for improvement.
* Utilizes research and best practices to establish thresholds and benchmarking for Performance Improvement Projects.
* Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
* Assists with the development of review criteria needed for the monitoring and evaluation of projects, i.e. collection methodologies, reporting design, tools, etc.
* Responsible for all aspects of project life cycle including the definition, design, development, deployment, maintenance, and benefits tracking of assigned initiatives/projects, from original concept past final implementation and continued support to operations refinement and benefits realization.
* Coordinates the assessment of and defines the current state and subsequent root-cause and/or workflow analyses that lead to the current challenge.
* Collaborates closely and daily with Risk Management Specialists to bring areas of risk and opportunity gathered from apparent and root cause analyses from Northern Light health patient safety events forward as process improvement projects.
* Influences and inspires teams across the organization and gains buy in by fully understanding frontline teams perspectives by maintaining consistent communication and gaining feedback throughout across the entire span of the project.
* Other duties as assigned.

Other Information:

Competencies and Skills

* Achieves Results: Sets high standards for their own outcomes and seizes opportunities to engage others towards objectives. Consistently moves forward with direct actions in order to attain or exceed objectives. Manages their own time effectively to accomplish assigned tasks. Successfully prioritizes multiple projects and duties as needed.
* Acts Strategically: Creates effective plans that anticipate future consequences and opportunities and is able to connect the day to day operations to longer-term objectives, shifts in the industry, and system goals.
* Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
* Electronic medical record software.
* Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
* Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
* Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit.
* Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
* Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into account. Makes active decisions and commits oneself by communicating confidently and respectfully.
* Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
* Fosters Innovation: Employs and encourages the use of meaningful creativity in solving challenges. Proactively identifies opportunities and uses new approaches to enhance processes, systems and services. When appropriate, suggests or initiates new strategies, products, services, and markets.
* Influences and Inspires: Builds enthusiasm and commitment among others to move in a desired direction and models it personally. Creates a compelling vision of success that motivates workplace initiative and energizes others to follow. Provides direction and guidance to encourage cooperation between team members in order to attain an objective. Has the ability to appropriately influence others' actions and decisions with and without express authority.
* Ability to understand the language used to precisely describe the human body including its components, processes, conditions affecting it, and procedures performed upon it.
* Spreadsheet application with the ability to use calculations, formulas, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming.
* Word processing, spreadsheets, data entry, database experience and other computer related skills.
* Email application with the ability to manage email as well as calendars, managing tasks and contacts, note taking, journaling, and web browsing.
* Presentation software with the ability to create presentations with the ability to incorporate animation, audio, video, time delays, as well as designing themes and variants with animations and effects.
* MS Teams
* Word process application with the ability to create and edit documents, format, use tables, apply footnoting, create table of contents and mail merge techniques.
* Multi-line phone, scanner, photocopier, fax, and internet.
* OneNote
* Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.
* Promotes Health and Safety: Promotes a healthy and safe environment for patients, employees and visitors. Advocates and models healthy physical and mental health behaviors even in challenging circumstances. Sets high quality standards and strives for continuous improvement and quality assurance by reporting and encouraging others to report near misses and safety issues.
* Public Speaking
* Resolves Conflict: Promptly acts to find alternatives/solutions when team members disagree. Addresses issues in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner. Handles conflicting interests diplomatically and helps to solve them. Transforms difficult situations into teachable moments using respect and accountability .
* Seeks Process Improvement & Applies System Thinking: Possesses and gains insight into situations, problems and processes. Understands the interconnection between organizational elements. Deconstructs problems and systematically investigates the various components. Considers the impact of actions on the entire process/system. Detects problems and opportunities, recognizes important information, and links various data to trace potential causes and relevant details.
* Serves Others: Strives to understand, meet and exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers which may include the people and communities in our service areas. Develops and maintains relationships, alliances and coalitions within and outside the organization and leverages them in order to obtain information, support, and promote cooperation and collaboration.
* Business intelligence and data analysis software.
* Zoom

Education

* Required Bachelor's Degree

Required Experience

* 5 year/years of Relevant Work Experience

Working Conditions

* Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
* Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
* Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
* Prolonged periods of sitting.