Director of Patient Safety - FT - Day Shift

SALARY RANGE: $119,000.00 - $161,000.00

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  The work involves directing and developing the facility-wide patient safety, quality improvement and emergency readiness programs at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC).  The incumbent coordinates process improvement activities that will support the reduction of medical/health care errors and other factors that contribute to unintended adverse patient outcomes.  Work is performed under the general direction of the Quality Officer.  Supervision is exercised over professional and clerical staff of the Quality and Patient Safety Department.  Does related work as required.

 

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Directs the Patient Safety Program, including coordinating and implementing improvement processes to reduce healthcare errors within ECMCC;

Oversees the emergency response plan process and related personnel to include training and/or performance during actual or drill events at ECMCC;

Analyzes pertinent facility data to identify the need for monitoring outcomes and determines opportunities for performance improvement that enhance the quality of care provided and safety of patients;

Oversees and coordinates with higher level nursing supervisors for clinical and non-clinical practices to ensure patient safety is performed in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and accreditation standards;

Facilitates the development and review of policies and procedures to improve patient safety and emergency response plans; Responds to problems by identifying and implementing appropriate corrective actions;

Coordinates the activities, improvement opportunities and strategies for compliance with Joint Commission, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), hospital and medical staff quality improvements, Joint Commission and NYSDOH survey and periodic performance reviews;

Coordinates with NYSDOH, local, state and national health departments, hospitals, health care partners and emergency management agencies on emergency planning and preparedness;

Oversees and monitors all surveillance activities to ensure prioritization of activities, appropriate depth of investigation, need for additional data collection, and identify other necessary actions through data analysis;

Develops surveillance plans for schedules of regular environmental inspections;

Develops emergency readiness, response and recovery plans and implements improvements;

Ensures regular review of outcomes to identify potential safety risks;

Acts as a primary contact for the NYSDOH, including New York Patient Occurrence Reporting and Tracking System reporting;

Identifies and evaluates the need for staff education and directs development and presentation of programs to address needs;

Ensures compliance with notification of appropriate health authorities in the event reportable criteria are met;

Distributes the findings and recommendations of the safety program to appropriate individuals, committees, departments and units and ensures that all necessary actions to address problems are enacted;

Participates in meetings and committees as required.

 

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of hospital structure, organization and function; thorough knowledge of principals and techniques of emergency preparedness and response programs; thorough knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations and accreditation standard related to patient safety and emergency preparedness in a healthcare facility; thorough knowledge of programs offered and staffing at local, state and federal government entities for designing, implementing and managing an emergency preparedness plan; ability to plan, develop and evaluate programs; ability to develop and implement policies; ability to collect data and prepare reports; ability to develop education programs; ability to instruct others; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to develop working relationships with a diverse constituency, including outside agencies; ability to act quickly and calmly in an emergency situation; critical thinking skills; analytical skills; initiative and resourcefulness, sound professional judgment; physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Possession of a Master’s Degree* in healthcare administration or closely related health field and five (5) years of administrative experience** in a hospital setting of which at least two (2) years include Joint Commission survey activities.

 

NOTE*: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or s