Job Description
The Program Manager, Quality reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
The Program Manager, Quality is responsible for planning and coordinating all or a portion of the Quality program for Northwestern Memorial Hospital the direction of the Director of Quality. This role coordinates and leads the quality endeavor, coordinates with peers, and is responsible for implementation and follow up as outlined in the annual quality plan, ongoing priorities of leadership and quality committees, and compliance with relevant standards monitored by The Joint Commission (TJC) and other agencies. This position will advance the use of quality evaluation and improvement strategies to achieve key organizational goals in quality and patient safety. The Program Manager partners with administrative, physician, nursing, ancillary leadership and other system function teams to advance the quality agenda through the development and implementation of plans and strategies that facilitate the achievement of strategic organizational goals.
Responsibilities:
Provide leadership and operational implementation of assigned Clinical Quality activities
Conduct detailed, sophisticated, accurate and creative analyses of data at NMHC and outside NMHC (e.g. benchmarks, comparative data) to identify quality opportunities.
Advance performance compared to appropriate external benchmarks and optimize process and outcome metrics.
Develop, conduct, implement and improve process improvement activities to improve high quality & high-reliability healthcare.
Identify and utilize appropriate quality metrics to evaluate project or performance success based on stated purpose and needed outcomes.
- Implement effective quality planning
- Design quality plans, programs and policies, peer review, and best practices in partnership with senior medical and operational leaders.
Lead the department to identify quality opportunities and concerns, in collaboration with the Director of Quality.
Facilitate the implementation of systems and processes that promote a fair and just culture, and improve patient care.
Support effective department operations and growth, and personal development
Support, coach, teach, mentor, monitor and evaluate the work of others conducting quality work (as directed) and personally conduct, coordinate, facilitate, and participate in quality assessments, improvement efforts, committees, etc.
Oversee effective use of budget and other resources as delegated. Will supervise projects with organizational impact, and intermittent staff assignments.
Responsible for self-development and professional engagement, including knowledge of the literature and attendance at professional meetings, preparation of manuscripts, posters and presentations, involvement of with local and national task forces as relevant.
Additional/Clarified Essential Functions:
Under the leadership of the Quality Director:
- SME on external rankings methodology and overall impact to hospital ranking, specialties, and procedures and conditions.
- External Methodology Vizient expert including changes in annual release and advocate for changes when possible
- Analyze and interpret data, develop reports and dashboards, identify performance challenges and opportunities to improve care; monitor progress
- Create and lead action plans of multiple workstreams to improve patient outcomes and lead improvement projects in targeted areas.
- Advocate and collaborate with Vizient for improved and transparent methods.
- Identify emerging needs for NM strategic priorities, monitoring external measurement and performance and emerging literature.
- Exhibits confidence, credibility, and professionalism to influence decision-making for NMHC senior leadership
- Delivers clear, concise, and persuasive messages tailored to executive audiences, ensuring alignment and engagement across teams.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Allied Health Profession or a Master’s degree in a healthcare related field
- 5+ years of work experience, with 4+ years in a healthcare setting, and 3+ years of quality, patient safety, or relevant experience
- Highly effective and experienced at facilitation of teams including complex multi-disciplinary projects
- Expert knowledge of quality measures and measurement, mastery of performance improvement methodologies (i.e. DMAIC), analytic tools and methods, including implementation with measurable results
- Advanced competence with Excel and data analysis
- Excellent writing and presentation skill
Preferred:
- Master’s degree
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) or Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) or other evidence of advanced commitment to profession.
- Familiarity with major sources of measures, literature, and quality- and patient-safety-related federal and state policy.
- Experience with clinical outcomes, safety, and patient satisfaction data
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
