At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Director Quality reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and other regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Responsible for leading organizational quality efforts in support of NM and operating unit strategic goals. Functional areas of responsibility include clinical quality at the operating unit, and collaborative matrixed leadership of system functions at that operating unit, including infection prevention, risk management, accreditation/policy, patient experience and others as relevant.  Reports to VP Quality NMHC and matrixed to Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Executive at the local site.  Responsible in collaboration with operating unit Chief Medical Officer and other leadership to develop, implement, monitor and achieve the annual NM and operating unit Quality Plan.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, plan, and direct and coordinate the Quality programs at designated operating unit(s)
  • Collaborate with operating unit CMO(s), CNE(s) and system leaders
  • Scope includes all patient care and the functions which support patient care
  • Scope includes all practitioners, clinicians and others participating in delivering or supporting patient care, including those privileged through the medical staff, trainees, students, employees, volunteers
• In collaboration with operating unit leaders and others, develop, implement, manage and achieve annual Quality plan, and other supporting plans.
• Collaborate in advancing the work of system functions at operating unit, including Risk Management, Infection Prevention, Patient Experience and Accreditation/Policy Management.
• Support and interface with Health System Clinical Collaboratives to advance quality and related goals and plans at the operating unit
• As assigned, take leadership in advancing selected projects on a regional or system-wide level
• Design, lead, implement, teach and monitor NM quality and safety practices, policies, protocols and methodologies.
• Support Board accountability and reporting as assigned.  Develop reports, materials, and support for Board of Directors related to the local site’s quality goals and progress and challenges.
• Manage/oversee medical staff OPPE, FPPE, peer review program and assure consistent application across sites and disciplines.
• As relevant and as agreed with operating unit / regional leadership, lead or collaborate in advancing the Patient Family Advisory Council and patient experience initiatives.
• Implement surveillance and reporting to identify areas of concern and strength. Monitor internal and external trends to identify priorities.
• Set and achieve appropriate goals for quality, patient safety, and innovation.
• Implement, facilitate and advance work of quality committees and quality plans.
• Accountable for federal/state and other mandatory reporting in the Quality (e.g. Medicare measures); other mandates in collaboration with system manager for Accreditation.
• Assure and support appropriate public transparency and reporting of quality data.
• Plan, lead and direct improvement initiatives, innovation and transformation activities.
• Assure compliance with all relevant clinical accreditation, certification, and licensure standards.
• Recruit and develop staff, teach/orient/train, manage financial and human resources efficiently and effectively.
• Oversee effective use of budget and other resources as delegated.
• Maintain high levels of staff engagement and performance.
• Collaborate effectively across the system, including but not limited to directors and managers of quality / performance improvement / analytics, chief medical officers, chief nursing executives, operations executives.  Advance the standard of quality and safe patient care across NM through innovation, learning and shared deployment of best practices.
• Contribute to national understanding of quality through publication and presentations

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (RN, RPh, health administration, public health, etc)
• Master’s degree in relevant field (or, rarely, equivalent experience and demonstrated ability)
• 3+ years of experience leading clinical quality and patient safety in a large and/or complex environment, including evidence of effective improvement initiatives
• Leadership, personnel management, and change management skills
• Project management, facilitation, and analytical skills
• Statistics, quantitative and analytic skills relevant to the role
• High level of energy and enthusiasm; flexible/adaptable – ability to work with diverse group of healthcare professionals in a matrix environment
• Effective problem solving, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple large and demanding projects/functional areas in a well-organized manner, with successful outcomes and collaborative teamwork

Preferred:

• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Evidence of publishable work
• CPHQ, CPPS, or similar certification or evidence of professional commitment

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.