The proposed role, Quality Improvement Specialist ensures continuity of critical quality functions.  This role is essential to supporting all quality-related activities within the Department of Radiology and UPP. This role will work Monday through Friday daylight hours. 

Responsibilities:

• Effectively coordinate the assessment of new clinical design projects for implementation at facility or facilities as assigned. Conduct yearly assessment of operations/issues and utilizes data from other organizational assessments and surveys to contribute to and prioritize the establishment of quality, cost and service goals of the organization. Lead or co- facilitates teams created from the annual assessment and organizational goals. Assume a leadership role in the core clinical design team meetings and other key committees. Assume delegated leadership role/related duties as needed to support redesign efforts. Create a supportive environment in the department where redesign work is occurring that is sensitive to the issues and needs of that area. Assess developmental stage of work group and identifies strategies to meet achieve goals. Coach and advise team members collaboratively with their supervisor as needed to fulfill their role in a project team. Effectively communicate improvements that are made via verbal or written communication of clinical design activity to work teams, staff, managers and administrators throughout the organization and UPMC Health System. Ensure application of a tracking method to monitor progress towards goals and identifies the need for redesign of practice improvements targeted by the clinical design initiative. Collect and present accurate, timely data to display the results of process improvement efforts. When assigned, complete special projects and performs other related duties according to agreed upon goals and parameters. Utilize cost effective approaches when planning team activity.
• Ensure that clinical design projects maintain patient care as the center of the work. Influence staff acceptance of recommended practice changes by articulating the contribution to clinical improvements established patient care goals. Seek out and integrates cost saving opportunities into clinical practice changes.
• Role models appropriate and effective methods for data analysis, problem solving, communication negotiation and persuasion skills. Maintain accountability for ongoing self-development activities, especially related to presentation facilitation, change management and application of quality improvement activities. Provide mentorship for individuals at the department/unit/team level. Participate in professional organization activities to enhance personal growth and cultivate relationships in the field at a regional and national level. Communicate clinical design efforts and accomplishments via formal presentations and or publications at local, regions and national forums when available.
• Consult with essential stakeholders such as administrative and medical staff leaders, department heads and critical committees as appropriate to finalize and advance the project goals. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, medical staff leaders and other support areas. Elicit input and advisement in areas where clinical design project work is occurring. Form a partnership with the director of the project area, facilitate work activities and negotiate additional support as needed.
• Under the direction of the Vice Chair, Quality Assurance and Strategic Development for the UPP Department of Radiology, implement programs and activities that support departmental and enterprise quality improvement and patient safety goals.
• Lead improvement utilizing various approaches such as Lean/PDSA or other methods as appropriate.
• Work to ensure that quality and innovation efforts remains focused on achieving process improvement or efficiency, waste reduction and/or patient safety goals.
• Assist in the management of the Radiology Quality Improvement Committee, documents activities and provides status reports.
• Work with colleagues in IT to develop and implement processes to improve patient safety or enhance productivity. Examples may include (1) the development and subsequent management of a peer review process for greater efficiency and value for radiologists, including enhanced reporting capabilities, (2) a system for monitoring appropriate clinical follow up to incidental findings in radiology reports, and (3) processes to efficiently import outside exams for interpretation by UPP radiologists and subsequent tracking of discrepancies with the outside radiologist interpretation, etc.
• Prepare annual, quarterly or ad hoc reports as requested by the Chairman or Vice Chair.
• Participate in enterprise quality initiatives, particularly regarding Mammography Services and Lung Cancer Screening. Work cooperatively with Breast Imaging coordinators and Lung Cancer Screening Nurse Navigator to ensure appropriate tracking and reporting of patient outcomes.
• Assess and implement measures to enhance patient and referring physician satisfaction. Review feedback and work with department colleagues to monitor and adjust processes for improved results.
• Manage participation in the National Radiology Data Registry for system hospitals, including National Mammography Database, Dose Index, Colonography and Lung Cancer Screening data submission and user accounts.
• Participate in the effort to standardize exam protocols throughout the system, work with radiologists, supervisors and physicists as needed to ensure consistent image quality, patient safety appropriate dose measurement and reporting.
• Maintain database for Critical Results tracking and reporting. Follow up any non-documented events.
• Track cases for the Interventional Radiology Morbidity and Mortality conference. Create and maintain documentation of discussion and any follow up action.
• Provide support to radiologists involved in PQI initiatives. Assist in implementation of any improvements to patient care or workflow identified by PQI.
• Maintain accountability for ongoing self-development activities related to change management and application of quality improvement activities.
• Works closely with Imaging Service Center Leadership on system wide initiatives or special projects not previously defined above
• Maintain an active participant in system Imaging Leadership Council Meetings