Patient Care Quality and Safety Consultant

at  Interior Health Authority

Interior Health are looking for an experienced Patient Care Quality and Safety Consultant to join our team on a full time term basis out of our Kelowna location.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• A Master’s degree in a health-related field, and educational preparation in quality improvement and patient safety.
• Five to seven years of experience, including two to five years recent clinical experience in health care services and/or experience in data management, and three to five years progressive leadership experience.
• Training and certifications in patient safety and quality improvement methods is preferred.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of patient safety and quality improvement theory, principles, methods, and tools.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Excellence in customer service and strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with senior leaders and external partners.
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation, teaching and coaching.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound decision-making and judgment.
• Experience in handling sensitive patient/family interactions with compassion and empathy is essential.
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible to meet changing priorities, and to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to effectively navigate confrontational and emotionally charged environments.
• Proficiency in computer skills and software such as Microsoft Word, Sharepoint, Visio, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability and willingness to travel within Interior Health.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

• Provides leadership and expertise to promote a culture of safety within IH.
• Develops and maintains excellence in quality care by providing unique expertise and leadership in the investigation and analysis of serious adverse events.
• Builds, leads, and effectively facilitates multidisciplinary Critical Incident Investigation and Quality Review teams following serious adverse events.
• Develops and follows processes to ensure involvement of patients and family members in the patient safety investigation and quality review process.
• Provides consultation, support, and assistance to operational and medical staff throughout the disclosure process after adverse events as needed.
• Provides consultation, coaching, and training for leaders, medical staff, and employees regarding Quality Reviews, patient safety investigations, and complaint management.
• Ensures documentation and reporting are completed in accordance with the PCQRBA and IH policy and standards and in keeping with privacy, confidentiality, and health care evidence legislation.
• Conducts investigations into adverse events, concerns, or issues by gathering information; interviewing witnesses, experts, and patient/family members; and contacting applicable internal partners and external agencies as required. Prepares reports and presents to leaders and committees as required.
• Facilitates the development of recommendations and actions related to patient safety and resolution of concerns where applicable, tracking implementation through to completion.
• Builds coalitions and liaises with IH leaders, medical staff, network leaders and employees as well as external agencies such as licensing bodies, professional associations, provincial government, RCMP, the Coroner’s Office, the Ombudsperson’s Office, and others regarding patient safety investigations and the management of concerns.
• Works with Quality and Patient Safety staff to ensure issues of mutual concern are appropriately managed. Contributes to the development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of policies, procedures, accreditation standards and objectives associated with Quality and Patient Safety.
• Effectively uses data to evaluate effectiveness of processes and for improvement relevant to patient safety and concerns management.
• Supports and promotes the mission, philosophy, and strategic direction for IH associated with patient safety and patient/client relations.
• 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).