Senior Director Strategic Clinical Quality - Southeast Group

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Provides strategic direction and support to facilitate the achievement of company goals regarding improved patient outcomes and superior quality standards. Provides oversight and guidance to clinical quality teams and supports divisional operation teams regarding the practice of continuous Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement. Collaborates with Operational partners, Education, Nutritional Services, Social work Services, Regulatory, Technical Services and Clinical Services departments in defining and developing quality strategies and initiatives for the improvement of clinical quality outcomes. Oversees the execution of the strategy and implementation of initiatives. The scope of the clinical quality oversight of the position covers in-center or home hemodialysis and home peritoneal dialysis.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborates with Clinical Quality leadership regarding establishing operational objectives and work plans based on business goals to assure alignment. Communicates regularly with other teams such as nutritional services, social work services, education, regulatory, clinical services and operations, obtaining feedback and analyzing the recommendations made to contribute to the resolution of related issues and create positive outcomes.
• Responsible for planning, directing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating quality programs and activities aligned at the operational group level(s) to ensure optimal and effective attainment of corporate goals, policies and procedures.
• Defines and executes quality strategy and initiatives at operational group level(s) providing the pertinent oversight and direction for the administration of clinical quality management policies, standards and processes developing long and short-term goals and objectives related to improvement of clinical outcomes and patient safety.
• 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 identifies strategic opportunities to drive quality improvement activities.
• Collaborates with Clinical Quality Directors in the implementation and integration of the Clinical Quality Program into the standard operating procedures of all clinics within assigned operational group(s).
• Ensuring oversight and clear direction for standardized operating procedures across organization.
• Oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of quality plans and programs to reduce operational and safety risk.
• Participates in the development of quality policies and procedures that support superior patient outcomes and compliance with all pertinent regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with the appropriate corporate stakeholders regarding the communication and training of personnel on Clinical Quality policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with Value Base Care, CKCC and Payor Program leaders to coordinate efforts of field education and support.
• Responsible for and achievement of Quality Incentive Program (QIP) social key performance indicators.
• Responsible for oversight of the development and revision of quality tools for use in the facilities.
• Designs and formulates 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, regulatory, business and customer service.
• Ensures and facilitates a frequent evaluation and audit process to determine effectiveness of Quality related programs and initiatives; to identify improvements for action that result in achievement of quality goals.
• Ensures conclusions from data collection and auditing activities are incorporated into the education and training programs as appropriate.
• Supports the building of collaborative relationships with Medical Directors and Medical Advisory Board Members to promote quality outcomes, providing guidance regarding addressing barriers to improvement and promoting evidenced-based and better clinical practices.
• Ensures the appropriate communications between field Quality team staff, Corporate Quality and Clinical Services staff and the relevant Operations management. May prepare written communications for distribution within the assigned group regarding various initiatives and projects collaborating with the stakeholders as needed.
• Reviews and analyzes information and data pertaining to clinical quality structure, process and outcomes including the quality activity and facility assessments and summary reports. Provides updates, reports and presentations on Quality Improvement activities, outcomes, and issues to Operations Leadership team.
• Drives and oversees the development of group and regional quality goals and action plans, to achieve quality standards.
• Collaborates with Leadership across various departments in the development of training programs and processes to ensure the implementation and incorporation of company quality standards and the practice of Continuous Quality Improvement in facility standard procedures and that all ESRD regulatory and legal requirements are met.
• Ensures the appropriate provision of assistance in the addressing of and acting on any adverse events and regulatory events that may require action or support from quality team members.
• Responsible for development of an efficient and prudent annual Department budget and meeting or exceeding budget goals.
• Ensures that Department goals are aligned with Corporate, Group and Regional goals.
• Provides guidance and expertise regarding issues related to quality management, including clinical, technical, and operations issues and supports action plans to correct clinics below threshold performance.
• Supports Group, Regional, Area and facility-specific business plans particularly with respect to Quality and related initiatives.
• Maintains current knowledge regarding community and regional healthcare market and industry issues which may impact the business.
• Collaborates with internal and external counsel as appropriate to resolve legal and litigation issues with the goal of diminishing expenses to the Company.
• 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 and interaction with patients, regional and facility staff and physicians.

• This position requires approximately 10% to 25% travel.

SUPERVISION:

• Responsible for the direct supervision of various levels of Quality staff.

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:

• 8+ years' experience in dialysis, preferably within field operations with at least 4 or more of these in a management/leadership role
• Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills for the position, including excellent communication, customer service, continuous quality improvement, relationship development, results orientation, team building, motivating employees, performance management, and decision making.
• Demonstrated quality management and improvement experience, adult teaching experience and project management experience.
• Broad experience in Clinical operations in a health care setting is required as the position demands extensive knowledge concerning a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures; dialysis experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of management through diplomacy and tact.
• Strong management skills with the ability to remotely lead cohesive and productive teams.
• Proven leadership skills consistent with required experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and robust analytical reasoning. The position requires very high level written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to convert complex material into concise, readable information and the ability to develop and deliver appropriate presentation of such material.

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.