Director IPS Clinical Quality

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Serves as a designated expert consultant for the Clinical Quality function, this role contributes to strategic direction to facilitate the achievement of company goals and clinical priorities for improved patient outcomes and superior quality standards for assigned group(s). Provides expertise, support and guidance to assigned operations teams and direct reports and clinical quality teams regarding the practice of continuous Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI). Must have effective communications among the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and must produce effective quality assessment and performance improvement activities which positively influence the assigned business unit’s dialysis clinical quality outcomes. The scope of the clinical quality oversight of the position covers home hemodialysis and home peritoneal dialysis, is responsible for the monitoring data/information; prioritizing areas for improvement; determining potential root causes; developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising plans that result in improvements in group(s) clinical quality outcomes in dialysis facilities within assigned business unit(s).

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides strategic leadership of short- and long-term goals with thoughtful techniques in the communication of the company's mission and core values to implement positive change and/or create organizational structure within the assigned business unit(s).
• Drives high quality performance through development and implementation of strategies to attain goals and objectives related to quality outcomes. Collaborates with appropriate stakeholders including but not limited to the Clinical Quality leadership team, Operations, Education, Clinical Services, Nutritional Services, Social work Services, Regulatory, Compliance and Medical Advisory Board members to take the appropriate steps to facilitate achievement of quality goals and reduce company risk.
• Responsible for the training and mentoring of direct reports in Quality Improvement concepts and ensure process improvement concepts are understood and properly implemented.

• Oversight for the execution of Quality and other clinical initiatives, interventions and standardized education materials with

Clinic teams within the assigned area(s).

• Mentors and trains Clinical Quality Team to collect, trend, and analyze data on a day-to-day basis to monitor the effectiveness of their clinical and operational processes to impact patient centered care resulting in improved patient outcomes and satisfaction and decreased morbidity and mortality.
• Contributes to the development of long and short-term goals and objectives related to improvement of quality outcomes, patient safety and patient centered care and facilitates implementation of strategies to achieve goals.
• Incorporates the Quality Safety and Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies of patient centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidenced-based practice, safety and informatics into their practice to continuously improve the quality and safety of care delivered to patients.
• Technically proficient in utilizing appropriate dashboards to monitor high-level quality trends. Analyzes complex quality issues using in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives. Evaluates results and initiates/drives improvement activities as needed. Leads to quality improvement efforts through Regional Clinical Quality Managers to ensure the effective achievement of Quality goals within the assigned groups/regions.
• Collaborates with peers in Education, Nutritional Services, Social work Services, Regulatory, Technical Services and Clinical Services in defining quality strategy and initiatives for assigned regions.
• Participates in the development, implementation, coordination, evaluation and execution of quality improvement programs activities and initiatives.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Quality leadership to design and formulate in-depth, specialized training programs and policies for national implementation with the primary goal of utilizing these programs to reduce risk exposure in the areas of clinical practice, quality, business and customer service.
• Responsible for the national delivery and ongoing maintenance of assigned training programs for clinical staff. Responsible for ensuring assigned training programs are available and readily accessible to staff hired after initial rollout.
• Maintains continuing education documentation for training programs as applicable to ensure compliance. Utilizes data surveillance to analyze, trend and benchmark quality outcomes for assigned regions providing updates to the Medical Advisory Board members, Quality, Clinical and Operational leadership and other stakeholders as deemed necessary.
• Interacts frequently with internal departments, particularly in problem resolution. Strong decision maker, capable of handling unforeseen issues.
• Responsible for hiring, coaching and counseling employees, including performance reviews, disciplinary action and terminations.
• Collaborates with Medical Directors, Medical Advisory Board Members, Regional Operations to achieve positive patient treatment outcome.
• Utilizes evidence based and best demonstrated practices to address barriers to quality improvement. This includes promoting the adoption and utilization of Medical Advisory Board Recommended Algorithms and Standing Orders, clinical pathways and clinical policies and procedures to improve care coordination and delivery.
• Attends and participates in group team meetings as appropriate which may include quality team building and staff development and other meetings as appropriate.
• Collaborates with appropriate regional management staff as needed to achieve effective interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary relationships.
• Provides guidance, interpretation and subject matter expertise to operations teams regarding quality related clinical policies and procedures, clinical standards, quality improvement tools and electronic applications.
• Facilitates implementation and utilization of company-wide policies, procedures and the FKC Quality Enhancement and Management Program into standard operating procedures.
• Utilizes quality improvement principles and methodology to evaluate the impact of quality improvement strategies and initiatives implemented in assigned regions.
• Applies current knowledge of company clinical and administrative policies, procedures, available internal resources, CMS Conditions of Coverage for ESRD facilities, Value Based Payer Programs and quality improvement concepts, principles and practices.   
• Collaborates with VBC team to strategically plan process improvement interventions to support efforts to improve patient outcomes.
• Utilizes adult education principles in the development and execution of education programs and processes that facilitate the implementation and incorporation of the company's quality standards and the practice of Continuous Quality Improvement in facility standard procedures.
• Accountable for outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers, including patients, staff, physicians, field management and staff, and payers, including disease management entities.
• Develops and maintains exceptional relationships through effective and timely communication with all customers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work.
  • Travel to Regional, Division and Corporate meetings may be required.
• This position requires approximately 15% to 20% travel.

SUPERVISION:

• Responsible for the direct supervision of Quality staff at group or divisional level.

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED CREDENTIALS:

• Registered Nurse required
• BSN or bachelor’s degree in healthcare related field preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Certification in Nephrology Nursing or quality preferred.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• 6+ years of Nephrology Nursing and/or related nursing experience.
• 3+ years' experience in a leadership role.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of management through diplomacy and tact.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong management skills with the ability to lead cohesive and productive teams.
• Strong organizational, critical thinking and customer service skills
• Demonstrated adaptability to changes in priorities                

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I acknowledge that I have read and accepted this job description.  I understand what is expected of me in this position, and I am able to perform the essential functions as outlined with or without reasonable accommodation.  Furthermore, I understand that the duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.  If I have any questions about duties and responsibilities not specified in this job description that I am asked to perform, I should discuss them with my immediate supervisor or my Human Resources representative.

Employee Name (Please Print)

Employee Signature

Date

ADDENDUM: (if applicable)

Insert Department/Group Name

• None

Employee Name (Please Print)

Employee Signature

Date

The rate of pay for this position will depend on the successful candidate’s work location and qualifications, including relevant education, work experience, skills, and competencies. 

Annual Rate: $93,900.00 - $182,800 for Waltham, MA location

Benefit Overview: This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, parental leave. 

If your location allows for pay/benefit transparency, please click the link below to request further information on this position.

Pay Transparency Request Form

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.