Quality Improvement Specialist

Quality Improvement Specialist

Job Summary:

The Quality Improvement (QI) Specialist supports system-wide efforts to enhance patient safety, improve clinical outcomes, and ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. This role involves data collection, analysis, and interpretation to identify improvement opportunities, facilitate performance improvement initiatives, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance quality and patient safety goals.

Job Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Quality and Performance Improvement:

• Lead and facilitate operational owners through Quality Improvement projects using Lean, Six Sigma, PDSA, and other quality methodologies
• Assist departments in developing and implementing action plans for performance improvement.
• Participate in root cause analyses (RCAs) and failure mode and effects analyses (FMEAs) to prevent adverse events.
• Collaborate with clinical and operational teams to improve key quality metrics, including hospital-acquired conditions (HACs), readmissions, HEDIS Measures, and patient experience scores.
• Routinely evaluate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and leading measures to identify improvement opportunities.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Collect, validate, and analyze quality and patient safety data to identify trends and areas for improvement
• Assist in the reporting of system performance to regulatory bodies, including CMS, The Joint Commission, New York State Department of Health, and others as necessary.
• Develop dashboards and reports using tools like EPIC, Excel, and other Business intelligence tools to track Quality performance.

Relational

• Use verbal and written communication skills to establish and maintain effective relationships, facilitate multi-disciplinary teams, and produce written and/or verbal reports. Use knowledge of Human performance systems to increase effectiveness of workgroups and project teams.
• Actively involve other departments, including but not limited to Risk Management, Nursing, Medical Staff, Case Management, Support Services to lead, develop, and implement quality improvement projects.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: Bachelors' Degree in health-related field, master's preferred
• Certification: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) preferred, or able to obtain within 3 years of employment (required)
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of experience in project management, quality improvement, clinical care, or other role in a healthcare setting required.
• Specific Skills: Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, excellent communication skills (verbal and written). Experience working with Quality, Data, Performance Improvement, Customer Relations programs highly desirable.
• Physical: Ability to stand, sit or ambulate for long periods. Ability to mobilize freely around units, transport self to site locations, and perform required data entry into EMR and alternate data management systems. Ability to transport self to customer base.

Cayuga Health System Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Cayuga Health System commits to treat all people with dignity so that everyone who comes to us is safe, cared for, and respected. We will support the growth of our employees and the health of our community by embracing the rich diversity of social and cultural identities, needs, and life circumstances of all people. We strive to recognize and overcome personal biases and systemic policies that marginalize others and contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care, and good health outcomes.
• Cayuga Health is dedicated to our vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As we strive towards our vision, we welcome the opportunity to work alongside a diverse range of employees.

Current Openings for Quality Improvement Specialist Jobs at Cayuga Health System