Program Director, Patient Safety

The Patient Safety Program Director will work collaboratively with leadership, management, and front line staff to improve patient safety and reduce harm. Continually advance the culture of patient safety, organization-wide, through implementation of evidence-based best practices and efficient and effective processes.

Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree .
Master's Degree Clinical background (Preferred)

Minimum Work Experience
7 years Related and progressive experience. Prior leadership responsibility with a track record of implementing change (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Knowledge of quality improvement science methods and human factors principles.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Analytical skills to trend and analyze data.
Proficient in MS Office Suite.
Excellent interpersonal relationship skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Understanding of adult learning concepts and demonstrated success in educating and facilitating groups.
Demonstrated success in managing projects.
Ability to work independently with little supervision required.

Required Licenses and Certifications
Certified Professional of Patient Safety or Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (Preferred)

Patient Safety Officer certification (Preferred)

Functional Accountabilities
Program Development

• Develop, direct, implement and evaluate services, programs, policies and procedures, and performance standards to achieve departmental goals.

Patient Safety Program

• Provide leadership and direction to the organizational patient safety program.

• Direct the development of a comprehensive Patients Safety Plan with appropriate partners and revise the plan as needed; appraise the Plan annually with report to leadership.

• Conduct an annual assessment of patient safety risks; use information to develop organizational patient safety priorities and goals in collaboration with safety and quality leaders.

• Continuously evaluate and improve the patient safety program based on internal needs and external requirements and standards.

• Implement safety improvement programs to include in part safety rounds, safety huddles, daily safety calls and safety coach/good catch programs.

Education and Facilitation

• Design, update, implement and manage patient safety education programs.

• Facilitate the Safety Grand Rounds sessions, host at least 3 events annually.

• Plan and implement the annual Patient Safety Week activities in collaboration with safety team and leadership, to include development of annual budget for events.

• Facilitate all facets of the Patient Safety Committee and other related committees.

Outcomes

• Direct the implementation of a safety culture survey including a thorough analysis with trending and plan for disseminating results to the organization.

• Facilitate improvement process to address findings and improve outcomes.

• Develop and implement a strategy to identify, mitigate and/or eliminate potential patient harm.

• Facilitate performance improvement teams to implement practices to reduce and eliminate harm using quality improvement methods.

Safety Practices

• In collaboration with Risk Management and Quality departments, coordinate cause analysis process for safety events and ensure implementation of resulting actions plans.

• Identify and evaluate compliance with patient safety regulations and standards including National Patient Safety Goals and National Quality Forum safe practices.

• Monitor literature and professional organizations for new or updated patient safety best practices and develop strategy for communication.

• Support and encourage all staff on submission of abstracts on patient safety related initiatives.

Professional Development

• Contribute organizational learnings through publication and presentations at national meetings and conferences.

Organizational Accountabilities
Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)
Organizational Commitment/Identification
Teamwork/Communication
Performance Improvement/Problem-solving
Cost Management/Financial Responsibility
Safety