At Houston Methodist, the 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 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.

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

• Leads facility partners to bring expert assessment and problem solving skills to ensure reliable, safe systems of care for all patients.

• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with leadership, physicians, colleagues and peers and works collaboratively to achieve desired outcomes.

• Collaborates and effectively communicates and drives culture of safety and high reliability initiatives; partners with leadership and clinicians to implement improvements. Increases patient safety and evidence based practice awareness and practice among clinicians and staff through mentoring and education.

• Manages project and process improvement expectations to stakeholders, sponsors and others advising them on project progress, potential issues, obstacles, conflicts or challenges.

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 quality improvement and patient safety process changes. Makes recommendations for unit-based process change activities. Evaluates the effectiveness of process change initiatives.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitates and leads process and performance improvement teams and initiatives. Participates in and facilitates unit-based and departmental process change activities. Evaluates the effectiveness and sustainability of process change initiatives and makes changes as necessary to achieve goals.

• Tracks, analyzes, and uses data for trending and develops appropriate action plans and strategies in collaboration with clinicians and leadership.

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

• Focuses on implementing and reinforcing principles that support a high-reliability organization. Contributes to the continued improvement of patient safety practices, employs evidence based practice and researches high reliability practices through national Patient Safety Organizations (e.g., Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF), Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), National Quality Forum (NQF)). Facilitates systems' design to hardwire patient safety processes.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes efficient and cost-effective work practices with department resource and supplies; provides recommendations to reduce expenses.

• 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.

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

• Communicates innovative and best practices to hospital leadership and clinicians. Identifies opportunities to align policy and procedure with regulatory/accreditation requirements.

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

• Two years of experience in Hospital Quality Improvement, Case Management or Utilization Management role preferred

• Two years of leadership experience preferred

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

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• CPHQ - Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) AND
• CPSO - Certified Patient Safety Officer (IBFCSM) AND
• CPPS - Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CBPPS)

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.