Improvement Consultant

at  Interior Health Authority

Interior Health are looking for an experienced Improvement Consultant to join our team on a full time permanent basis out of our Vernon location.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in a health related field, and educational preparation in quality improvement and patient safety
• Three to five years progressive leadership experience
• Two to five years recent clinical experience in health care services and/or experience in data management
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Knowledge and experience in supporting/leading Quality Improvement, Lean and Kaizen activities and with demonstrated experience and ability to lead a variety of Kaizen events including full improvement workshops, and other improvement initiatives).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with others and manage conflict effectively to successfully coordinate the work. Strong work and professional ethics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of quality improvement principles, methods, and tools
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation, presentation, coaching and teaching skills.
• Demonstrated ability to bring together multiple partners and effectively manage diverse and sometimes competing interests.
• Familiar with quality improvement methods, tools, and concepts such as qualitative and quantitative analysis, Lean management and improvement.
• Have a proven ability to manage diverse groups and individuals through quality improvement processes and be able to resolve issues that arise throughout the process.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

• Provides leadership and expertise to promote and support a culture of continuous quality improvement.
• Facilitates the integration of quality improvement initiatives that can be monitored and measured using reliable data and aligns and integrates improvement efforts with IHA quality service teams, programs, and networks. Identifies and assesses site-based quality improvement needs related to the integration of quality improvement methodology, evidence based systems, and tools within everyday work processes.
• Collaborates with organizational leaders, physicians, and staff to provide leadership and quality management expertise to local community teams in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of quality initiatives designed to improve patient-centred care, service utilization, patient safety, and risk reduction. Contributes to the development and review of policies and guidelines related to patient safety and the quality of care. Provides expert advice to leaders, as needed.
• Performs a leadership role in the integration of accreditation principles and standards with local initiatives. Coaches and facilitates teams participating in Interior Health programs, networks, and services in accreditation self-assessment, planning, and survey preparation and follow-up. Completes assessment of QI processes, ensures that standards are in place, and advises on changes required (e.g. compliance with Accreditation Canada Standards).
• Provides education and training on the application of Lean thinking, principles, sponsor engagement, change management principles, facilitation skills, and Lean tools and techniques, providing constructive feedback and supporting individual development toward the use of every day Lean thinking and daily management.
• Applies knowledge in Lean process improvement thinking and methodologies to execute process improvement initiatives in a wide variety of clinical and corporate settings in alignment with Interior Health’s transformational plan and organizational goals. Develops and monitors assigned Lean initiative areas including the supporting of monitoring performance, planning and adjusting operations deliverables to meet projections and annual targets, and preparing summaries for fiscal reporting.
• In alignment with IH’s Occupational Health & Safety Program, employees shall adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times and attend all required training. Employees are responsible to report any identified hazards, unsafe conditions or incidents to the manager or supervisor immediately.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  Honouring Interior Health’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).