At Houston Methodist, the Senior Quality Outcomes Specialist position is responsible for assessing and facilitating clinical systems and/or processes to ensure that care delivered is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable. This position identifies outcomes variances, taking initiative for timely resolution of potential concerns, and utilizes the ability to synthesize an analysis of complex systems, developing and implementing solutions to improve complex processes and goals. Other responsibilities include supporting and promoting the organization-wide clinical performance improvement/patient safety program and culture; and serving as departmental expert for areas of expertise, sharing knowledge, effective tools and educational materials as appropriate. Additionally, this position serves as a resource and expert in performance improvement methodologies to clinical staff; conducts educational offerings to support training, mentoring, and precepting of team members; and conducts review, analysis, and integration of data in workflow design to support team, departmental and organizational mission and goals.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes organization-wide understanding of overall quality and patient safety program and culture. Serves as an expert resource to all levels of the organization regarding quality improvement activities.

• Proactively and effectively develops and maintains collaborative relationships with physicians, hospital leaders and staff. Serves as operational liaison to physicians and staff to support Care Management Performance Improvement (CMPI)/Project goals.

• Facilitates a multidisciplinary approach to improve clinical processes and outcomes. Makes recommendations to key leadership for team strategies to achieve desired outcomes.

• Serves as a lead resource and mentor for other Quality Outcome Specialists. May assist in creating and reviewing project designs.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a key quality contact with leadership, managers and staff responsible for the execution of corrective actions initiatives/projects and compliance with customer requirements.

• Supports leadership with the development and implementation of patient safety and process improvement changes. Makes recommendations for unit-based process change initiatives.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitates timely and effective resolutions of patient care process issues. Uses performance improvement methodologies in the development of performance improvement/patient safety initiatives and coordinates teams as needed to drive change towards desired outcomes. Monitors compliance with clinical protocols, pathways and evidence-based care along the continuum for various hospital patient populations.

• Facilitates a multi-disciplinary approach to improve clinical process and outcomes. Monitors and evaluates clinical performance of CMPI and Project efforts using defined metrics and desired outcomes. Makes recommendations to key leadership for team strategies to achieve desired outcomes.

• Abstracts pertinent information and enters into department databases using standardized methods and processes. Routinely performs discrepancy management activities to maintain data integrity. Presents meaningful reports and analysis with measurement description, statistical information, and benchmarking information. Monitors trends and provides feedback. Creates and presents executive summaries as needed to various audiences to drive change.

• Supports improvement efforts for potential or actual quality of care issues including participation/facilitation of Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA), Critical Incident Review (CIR) or event review as needed. Supports leadership and staff with the development and implementation of process changes. Conducts evaluation of effectiveness of initiatives and presents findings as needed. Facilitates systems' design to hardwire patient safety processes.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitates performance improvement projects/initiatives to improve outcomes, ultimately impacting hospital finances.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement in accordance with hospital leadership.

• Assists in the development of long-term tactics and strategies to improve operational processes.

• Analyzes and assesses present and future needs, trends, challenges, and opportunities related to hospital processes and operations.

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 nursing

• Master's degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years of experience in direct patient care activities in a hospital setting

• Three years of experience in Hospital Quality Improvement

• Two years of progressive leadership experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 60 days OR
• RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 60 days AND
• CPHQ - Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) within 18 months OR
• CPPS - Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CBPPS) within 18 months OR
• CPSO - Certified Patient Safety Officer (IBFCSM) within 18 months OR
• EPIC - Certification within 18 months

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

• Demonstrates knowledge and application of process improvement tools and techniques (statistical process control tools and team tools)

• Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory and accrediting standards as they apply to performance improvement

• Skill in developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with a wide variety of healthcare professionals and hospital leadership

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions and evidence performance improvement via measurable results

• Ability to enter and abstract data using personal computer, as well as the ability to utilize data to facilitate the improvement and change in processes

• Computer skills to include Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

• Ability to facilitate performance improvement teams, present data and promote a collaborative approach toward goal achievement

• Ability to work independently and interdependently

• Presentation skills and expertise in designing and implementing teams/educational offerings related to clinical quality

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 specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.