Job Description

Job Summary
At Houston Methodist, the Continuous Quality (CQI) Specialist is responsible for overseeing and serving as lead on hospital activities related to ISO 9001 product realization compliance and continuous quality improvement. This role works closely with leadership and management to ensure that ISO9001 standards are understood, implemented, maintained, and sustained throughout the organization. Maintains a strong commitment to customer and stakeholder relationships by proactively communicating risks and issues, and by facilitating effective project outcomes in a timely manner. Serves as Lead for team tasked with leading, coordinating and completing projects related to Quality Management Systems (QMS) and quality-focused financial, operational, and performance improvements activities of the hospital.

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
o 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.
o Focuses on patient/customer safety
o Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
o Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
o Intentionally rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met
o Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 25%
1. Provides consultative services and education in the area of QMS, ISO 9001 compliance, quality, and performance improvement throughout the hospital. Liaison with managers and staff to integrate quality methods into business processes and workflow. (EF)
2. Plans and organizes activities of the performance improvement teams. Sets performance criteria, communicates expectations and outcomes, and evaluates individual and team performance. Provides coaching and guidance on improvement opportunities/needs. Assists management with education development and mentoring of team. (EF)
3. Manages project and performance improvement expectations to stakeholders, sponsors and others, advising them on project process, potential issues, obstacles, conflicts or challenges. (EF)
4. Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with leadership, physicians, colleagues and peers and works collaboratively to achieve desired outcomes. (EF)

SERVICE - 20%
1. Serves as a key quality contact with leadership, managers and staff responsible for the execution of corrective action initiatives/projects and compliance with customer requirements. Evaluates the effectiveness of quality and change process initiatives. (EF)
2. Manages and completes projects as assigned by key stakeholders and quality administrative leadership that builds on Houston Methodists mission and business plan and develops strategic planning and business planning processes and activities related to the long term tactics and strategies. (EF)
3. Organizes project activities into manageable work efforts for team and determines an effective approach to completing the work, as outlined in project plan or charter. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 30%
1. Ensures project objectives are set and regularly reviewed and endorsed by department leadership. (EF)
2. Ensures that all projects are documented using industry best practice templates for project management methodology. (EF)
3. Ensures that all records are established and maintained to provide evidence that the QMS is being followed and that there is a system in place for record management. Coordinates continual improvement projects of the QMS, ensuring evidence of corrective and preventive actions taken are recorded and reviewed. (EF)
4. Ensures that the performance of the QMS is reviewed at planned intervals to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. Monitors regulatory environment for changing quality processes and procedures. (EF)
5. Actively leads and facilitates interdisciplinary groups, defines approaches, performs detailed analyses, synthesizes results and delivers quality data reporting to key stakeholders. (EF)

FINANCE - 5%
1. Oversees and leads performance improvement projects that result in increased operational and financial efficiency and effectiveness. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 20%
1. Assists management in the development of departmental strategic planning through active participation and facilitation of the planning process. Identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement in accordance with hospital leadership. (EF)
2. Analyzes and assesses present and future needs, trends, challenges, and opportunities related to hospital operations. Communicates innovative best practices to hospital leadership and clinicians. Identifies opportunities to align policy and procedure with regulatory and accreditation requirements. (EF)

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 REQUIREMENTS
o Masters degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Statistics or Education

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
o Five years of experience in a project management or quality assurance role in a ISO 9001 organization or other heavily regulated industry to include experience with large scale and highly visible organizational initiatives or projects
o Five years of experience in a healthcare organization or entity with a health-focused mission
o Strategic planning experience preferred
o Lean Six Sigma training preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
o Lean Six Sigma certification preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
o Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
o 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
o 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
o Working knowledge of ISO 90012 in a healthcare setting
o Trained Internal or Lead Auditor
o Computer proficiency to complete job duties independently; skill in use of MS Office Suite, including MS Excel, MS Word, MS Project, MS PowerPoint
o Ability to be highly organized with time management and prioritization skills
o Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking; working knowledge of statistical methodology and sampling techniques
o Ability to analyze and solve problems and make decisions on technical and project-related issues
o Detail oriented with the ability to deal with changing priorities and perform multiple tasks simultaneously
o Expertise in facilitating groups effectively, leading both with formal authority and without
o Ability to collaborate with management, medical staff, and employees at all levels within the organization
o Ability to work with clinical staff to develop and implement operational procedures to integrate services, ensure quality care and eliminate duplication
o Ability to use technology to review and analyze data, plan and communicate
o Familiarity with quality metrics, databases, and registries
o Expertise in using performance improvement tools to affect change

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Attire Yes/No
Uniform No
Scrubs No
Business professional Yes
Other (dept approved) No

On-Call* No (for Non-Exempt or Exempt jobs)

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc) regardless of selection above.

Travel**
May require travel within Yes
Houston Metropolitan area

May require travel outside Yes
of Houston Metropolitan area

**Travel specifications may vary by department.

Please note any other special considerations to this job: Able to flex schedule to meet needs of the job if required

Equal Employment Opportunity
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

Company Profile
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. Houston Methodist is consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Reports Best Hospital list and was recently named the number one hospital in Texas. FORTUNE magazine has placed Houston Methodist on its annual list of 100 Best Companies To Work For since 2006. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 1,119 licensed beds, 67 operating rooms and over 6,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.