Patient Safety Officer, R.N.

Salary is determined by experience level and education with an entry level compensation of $33/hour.

Who We Are: We are a regional healthcare system with a patient-centered environment that fosters innovation, continuous improvement and a commitment to delivering the highest quality care. UNC Health Appalachian was recognized by Healthgrades in the top 2% of hospitals nationwide for exceptional cardiology care via its "America's Best Hospitals" awards. We are nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, home of breathtaking views, outdoor adventures, top-rated schools and a caring team of clinical professionals and support staff that pride themselves on delivering outcomes-based care to the people of the High Country. Join our Team

Benefits
501(c)(3) organization: Eligibility for student loan forgiveness based on qualifying federal guidelines.
Health, Dental, Vision and HSA
Supplemental insurance to include short and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, legal insurance, etc.
Student loan refinancing benefit and college savings fund as well as tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees.
403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
Paid time off - front-loaded for the first year for qualifying part-time and full-time employees (amount based on status and FTE at the time of hire) - paid time off accrual begins following the first year of employment. Cash out option also available for qualifying employees by meeting specified criteria.
Paid parental leave - qualifying employees are eligible to use two (2) weeks of paid parental leave anytime during the first six (6) months following the birth or adoption of a child - to be taken consecutively.
Employee Wellness program - Love Your Life - award-winning voluntary wellness program available for UNC Health Appalachian employees. Employees enrolled on the organization's health plan can enroll with our health screening (biometrics and labs) and earn program incentives. Employees who are not enrolled on the organization's health plan can participate in online wellness activities for a chance to earn quarterly prize drawings.
Employee to Employee (E2E) program - Caring for our own. Employee program that is solely funded by voluntary employee donations. The money is used to financially assist co-workers that are experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
Employee perks to include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change).
Take a virtual tour of our new Schaefer Family Patient Care Tower by clicking here.
Position Summary
The Patient Safety Officer R.N. is responsible for leading patient safety initiatives and ensuring a culture of safety throughout the organization by collecting, analyzing, and reporting patient safety data to internal stakeholders and external agencies. Facilitates day to day continuous patient safety improvement for UNC Health Appalachian facilities. Coordinates hospital improvement efforts through the application of performance improvement principles (Lean, PDSA, High Reliability) that support the health system in achieving top performance and maximizing outcomes for quality, patient safety, patient experience, and performance excellence. As an agent of change, the officer will serve as a catalyst to create a culture that continuously strives for operational excellence and embraces the principles of process improvement. The role includes identifying potential risks, developing safety protocols, investigating incidents, and promoting evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes. The Patient Safety Officer works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to reduce harm and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

The Patient Safety Officer demonstrates the UNC Health Appalachian Mission, Vision, and Values in action and approaches work in a way that reflects action, efficiency, and personal accountability. The Patient Safety Officer demonstrates professional conduct, effective communication, and effective delegation of tasks. Performs duties under general supervision. Always assists coworkers, patients, families, and visitors regardless of the assignment, so long as the assistance is in-line with their scope of practice and license.

Position Qualifications
Minimum Education
Current NC RN License; BSN preferred

Experience
A minimum of 5 years’ experience in clinical health care.
Experience in Quality Management /Patient Safety/ Risk Management preferred.
Experience with Lean, 6 Sigma or similar assessment/process improvement techniques preferred.

Required Registration/License/Certification
Licensed in the state of North Carolina as a Registered Nurse.
Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) or similar credential preferred.
Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association is required at the time of hire

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Proven ability to facilitate continuous patient safety improvements and coordinate safety-related initiatives
Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies with skills in process redesign and embedding equity in safety initiatives.
Strong analytical skills for developing data-driven solutions using clinical information systems and statistical process control.
Understanding of the acute care and/or ambulatory environment with the ability to provide technical and strategic consultation for the health system.
Extensive knowledge of hospital compliance with patient safety regulations and ability to oversee audits and reporting.
Demonstrates strong planning, execution, and follow-up skills.
Exceptional leadership in change management and effective communication across all organizational levels.
Demonstrates knowledge of computer system software components, (e.g., MS Office, Windows operating system, file structures, network components and various databases).

Physical Demands
Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 30 pounds
Manual dexterity and mobility
Prolonged, extensive or considerable sitting/standing/walking
Bending, squatting, twisting, and turning
Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less

Working Conditions
Infrequently exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases
Infrequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals and specimens, and unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.
May be subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergencies
Continuous sitting, standing and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift
Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day
Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces
Infrequently lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 30 lbs.
Infrequently bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns, and reaches
Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity
Exposed to soft voices > 3 feet away
Frequently exposed to close eye work
Infrequently may be exposed to ionizing/nonionizing radiation exposure, including x-ray and microwave
About UNC Health Appalachian
Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) is the leading healthcare system in the High Country of North Carolina. Committed to building a healthier community and simply Making Life Better, ARHS offers access to three hospitals, thirteen medical offices and twenty-two outpatient services. ARHS strives to continuously provide all members of the community with access to the best possible medical treatment, illness prevention, research, and wellness education. Visit apprhs.org for more information.

UNC Health Appalachian is committed to equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Discrimination and harassment of any type is prohibited. Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and urine drug screen.
Want to know more? Contact Us
recruitment@apprhs.org
#IND123

Location: UNC Health Appalachian · Quality Management
Schedule: Full-time, Days, 8:00 am - 5:00p,

---