Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs - Pediatrics

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

Location:Saint Louis University Department of Pediatrics and Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital

Reports To:Dept Chair/Chief Medical Officer (direct), System Chief Quality Officer (indirect)

Position Summary:

The Chief Quality Officer (CQO) is a senior executive responsible for leading the strategy, development, and execution of quality, safety, and performance improvement initiatives across the academic children's hospital. The CQO ensures the delivery of safe, effective, patient- and family-centered care while advancing clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

This role partners closely with clinical, operational, and academic leadership to integrate quality and safety into all aspects of patient care, education, and research.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive quality and patient safety strategy aligned with the hospital's mission and academic goals

• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, advising on quality, safety, and risk management issues

• Promote a culture of safety, transparency, and high reliability across the organization

Quality & Patient Safety

• Oversee hospital-wide quality improvement (QI) initiatives, including clinical outcomes, patient safety, and performance metrics

• Lead efforts to reduce harm, improve patient outcomes, and eliminate preventable errors

• Ensure alignment with national benchmarks and pediatric-specific quality standards

Regulatory & Accreditation Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and licensing requirements

• Lead preparation for and response to surveys and inspections

• Maintain oversight of policies, procedures, and documentation related to quality and safety

Data & Performance Improvement

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards

• Use data analytics to drive decision-making and continuous improvement

• Lead root cause analyses and system-wide improvement efforts

Clinical & Academic Collaboration

• Partner with physicians, nursing, and allied health leaders to improve care delivery

• Collaborate with academic leadership to integrate quality improvement into education and research

• Support scholarly activity in quality, safety, and outcomes research

Patient & Family Experience

• Champion patient- and family-centered care initiatives

• Incorporate patient and family feedback into quality improvement strategies

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor the quality, safety, and performance improvement teams

• Build organizational capability in quality improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, PDSA cycles)

• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement

Qualifications:

Education

• MD, DO, or other clinical doctoral degree required (PhD, DrPH, or equivalent may be considered with relevant experience)

• Advanced training in quality improvement, patient safety, or healthcare administration preferred

Experience

• Experience in a pediatric and/or academic medical center strongly preferred

• Demonstrated success leading quality improvement initiatives

Certifications (Preferred)

• Board certification in a clinical specialty (if applicable)

• Certification, or training, in healthcare quality (e.g., CPHQ) or patient safety

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and systems leadership

• Deep knowledge of pediatric quality and safety standards

• Data-driven decision-making and analytical skills

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities

• Change management and performance improvement expertise

Key Relationships

• Executive Leadership Team

• Medical Staff Leadership

• Nursing and Allied Health Leadership

• Quality & Safety Committees

• Academic and Research Leadership

Working Environment

• Fast-paced academic pediatric healthcare setting

• Requires collaboration across clinical, administrative, and academic domains

• May involve participation in on-call leadership responsibilities

Function

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.