Quality & Continuous Improvement Co-Ordinator

Overview of role:

The focus of the role of Quality Coordinator is to support the hospital’s mission - “to serve our communities by providing outstanding patient care and to shape tomorrow’s health system through clinical and technological innovation, research and education”. The Quality Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the quality function within the hospital and will work closely with the wider UPMC Quality function, clinical and support teams and Senior leadership team. The Quality Coordinator will support management with JCI accreditation and HIQA compliance within the hospital and will be responsible for ensuring and co-ordinating all aspects of evidential compliance in the form policies & procedures, KPI’s, QIP’s, audits, tracers and data collection. This position is responsible for contributing to hospital-wide and departmental quality initiatives. This involves performing the assessment and analysis of operations and processes.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

General Duties:

Work in collaboration with the General Manager, Director of Nursing and Quality Manager in the development of the hospital quality improvement/quality assurance programme.

Assists in coordinating the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation and HIQA compliance and licensing process.

Assures application of a tracking method to monitor progress towards goals by collecting accurate, timely data to display the quality, cost, and service outcomes.

Liaises with Administrators, Department Heads, Managers and committees to identify Quality Improvement projects required; and leads or co-facilitates as appropriate to finalise and advance project goals

Effectively communicates improvements that are made to work teams, staff, managers, and administrators throughout the organisation.

Be accountable for the quality of the service provided, including customer service and technical aspects.

Manages, investigates and concludes, audits and reports on patient and customer complaints, compliments.

Manages, organises, audits and reports on patient experience feedback.

Support the Management team in the implementation of initiatives aimed at on-going service development and improvement by fostering a high level of morale among staff while ensuring effective communication.

Coordinate and support the development and implementation of operational policies, protocols, and guidelines to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and systematic audit of such usage.

Co-ordinate and support quality improvement projects within teams with the application of quality improvement science and methodologies.

Manage day to day communications with the team(s) to ensure groups receive the necessary support to work effectively to deliver on the improvement projects.

Ensure that the measurement and analysis of data is incorporated into all quality improvement projects.

Schedule meetings, follow up on agreed actions and maintain minutes.

Provide updates to demonstrate working to agreed programme plan.

Produce individual workplans to ensure activities are on track with agreed programme.

Effectively coordinates the assessment of current operational processes at UPMC facilities as directed by the Quality Manager.

Assists with policy development and review including document control management.

Assists with staff education and training on quality improvement and risk management projects and tools.

Committee participation as required to promote Quality, Patient Safety, Innovation and Risk Management activities.

Maintains accountability for ongoing self-development activities, especially related to presentation facilitation, change management and the application of quality improvement activities

Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time by Hospital Management.

Lean

Lead, facilitate and participate in lean projects with all disciplines and departments of the hospital

Support and participate with others to problem solve and continuously improve with the lean tools and techniques

Attend/participate on-site training as required

Quality & Safety – Safe Culture

Quality and Safety are rooted in the daily work of all individuals at UPMC. As an employee you are required to actively participate throughout your working day in pursuit of excellence.

You are required to work in conjunction with your line manager in the planning, monitoring, analysing and improvement of all quality programmes.

Participate in the development of performance indicators in conjunction with your department manager and the business objectives.

Initiates, participates in and evaluates audit according to JCI, Hospital policy and Lean requirements under the guidance and supported by an audit lead.

Information Governance

In the course of your employment you may have access to, or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and / or staff. Such records and information are strictly confidential, unless acting on the instructions of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning staff or patients be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required.

Qualifications & Experience:

5 years experience in a similar role or healthcare setting

Excellent IT skills: MS Office skills to include, MS Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, knowledge and experience of using an email system effectively.

Organised with the ability to self direct

An understanding of quality improvement processes, quality and safety frameworks, and the application of standards to practice is desirable but not essential.

Prior management or project management skills are required that demonstrate the incumbent’s ability to plan, implement, and manage complex projects.

Knowledge of information systems and process improvement techniques.

Data management and analysis expertise is essential, specifically Excel.

Salary: €32,692.00 - €47,574.00 per annum based on a 39hr work week

This is an 18 month Fixed Term Contract

Please note that UPMC will close this recruitment campaign when suitable candidates have been identified. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign from which current and future vacancies may be filled.

Please contact brennans5@upmc.ie for queries relating to the recruitment process or role.

This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility. As UPMC and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the business.

Equal Opportunity Statement and Benefits

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

At UPMC we provide a total rewards program that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities for all our colleagues.

Benefits – Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness cover for all employees up to the age of 66.

Performance and Recognition – Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC through our annual ACES programme.

Work-Life Balance – Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible working opportunities to support you to work around external family commitments.

Development and Career Opportunities – Opportunities for each employee to reach their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.

About UPMC

UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical centre committed to delivering people-focused care that’s close to home. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research and education. UPMC expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care across continents through its UPMC International division — an owned and operated network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and Croatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialty services of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others to more people in more places around the world.

In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since 2006. UPMC’s operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy locations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and across UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, and Mayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC's Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.