Warbird Healthcare Advisors actively seeks qualified candidates for a role as Interim Director of Quality, Risk and Infection Prevention . Our ideal candidate will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of quality improvement, risk management and infection prevention within a health system in MO. This crucial role requires strong leadership, extensive knowledge of quality improvement methodologies, risk management practices and expertise in infection control practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Quality Improvement: Develop and implement a comprehensive quality improvement strategy for the health system, working closely with senior leadership, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety, clinical outcomes, and overall healthcare delivery.
- Infection Prevention: Establish and maintain effective infection control protocols, policies, and procedures that align with best practices and evidence-based guidelines. Oversee surveillance and reporting of healthcare-associated infections, implementing interventions to minimize risks and prevent transmission of infectious diseases.
- Compliance: Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to quality improvement and infection prevention at the local, state, and federal levels. Stay updated with changes in regulations and standards, implementing necessary modifications to processes and procedures accordingly.
- Performance Monitoring: Develop and implement systems for monitoring and evaluating quality metrics, such as infection rates, patient satisfaction, and compliance with quality indicators. Analyze data, identify trends and areas for improvement, and develop action plans to address performance gaps.
- Patient Safety: Promote a culture of patient safety throughout the health system. Collaborate with department heads and quality improvement teams to identify and mitigate risks, implement evidence-based patient safety practices, and drive patient safety initiatives.
- Education and Training: Deliver educational programs and training sessions on quality improvement and infection prevention for healthcare professionals across the health system. Promote a culture of continuous learning, providing resources and support to enhance staff competencies in these areas.
- Regulatory Compliance: Serve as the health system's expert on quality and infection prevention regulations and accreditation standards, such as The Joint Commission, CMS, and state health departments. Ensure preparedness for surveys, facilitate compliance with standards, and drive action plans to address any deficiencies identified during audits.
- Risk Management: Develop and implement systems for identifying, monitoring, and evaluating organizational risks, including financial, operational, regulatory, and reputational exposures. Analyze risk data, identify trends and emerging threats, and collaborate with stakeholders to develop mitigation strategies and action plans that reduce risk impact and enhance organizational resilience.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, nursing, public health, or related field required
- Master's degree preferred
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and/or Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation preferred
- Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma, Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA), and root cause analysis (RCA)
- In-depth understanding of infection prevention and control practices in a healthcare setting
- Proficiency in using healthcare data systems and quality improvement software
- Understanding of healthcare regulations and accreditation standards.
- Understanding risk management standards and frameworks and industry’s specific risks
- Minimum 3 years' experience as a Quality/Risk Manager or Quality/Risk Director in a Hospital or Healthcare organization.