Organizational Quality/Performance Improvement Lead

About the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a 495-bed tertiary care hospital, 22 outpatient clinics, and 13 Mile Square Health Center facilities, which are Federally Qualified Health Centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity.

This is a full-time and benefits eligible position. UI Health offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience. In addition all full time benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which include; Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance, a defined benefit pension plan as well as paid leave which includes; Vacation, Holiday and Sick. In addition we offer tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits

UI Health is seeking an experienced Organizational Quality/Performance Improvement Lead to join our Quality Improvement team. This role provides expertise to staff at all levels of UI Health in the areas of process improvement and change management to achieve its mission of providing high quality, safe & cost-effective healthcare.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Provides quality and organizational excellence through the support of process improvement initiatives. Incorporates best practices into action plans to achieve the desired outcomes, drawing on current research findings. In collaboration with the Director of Quality & Performance Improvement develops long-term Performance Improvement roadmap; needed assess resources, timeline, and budget.

Measurement & Analysis:

Identifies business or process problems and options for solving problem (root causes). Applies analytical skills to process problem and report results. Measures and evaluates process improvement initiatives. Reports information necessary to inform decision makers, senior leadership, and Department Directors. Utilizes basic statistical concepts, tools and techniques and maintains awareness of advanced topics.

Problem Solving & Implementation:

• Recommends with supporting facts for best course of action. Understands and applies structured, modular, and multi-phased methods for development and implementation of solutions. Strives to reduce complexity in work and implementation. Ensures proper documentation.

Project Management:

• Performs all assigned tasks within scheduled commitments and advises project leader of issues. Active involvement in multiple projects while utilizing time management skills to meet all requirements. Serves as the Project Leader for one or more initiatives identified by senior leadership, the organizational quality committee, and Department Directors.

Tools, Methodologies & Technologies:

• Effectively utilizes new and existing tools, methodologies, and technologies to solve business problems and provides solutions that enhance operations, capabilities, and competitiveness.

Teamwork:

• With knowledge of team behavior, develops the teams capacity to collaborate and achieve sustainable improvement.

Training:

• In consultation with the Director develops training curriculum and educates all levels of the organization in process/performance improvement methods and tools. Educates team members and staff who touch the identified initiative/system, providing just in time training using adult learning techniques.

Data Analysis:

• Analyzes complex data, identifies national and local healthcare trends, and notifies the Director of impeding changes.

Mentoring/Coaching:

• Coaches team members through the phases of the improvement initiative, defining the aims, securing baseline performance data, analyzing the data, identifying and selecting changes to improve the system, testing the changes, incrementally implementing the successful change(s), and sustaining improvement using improvement methodologies and tools, such as the Model for Improvement, rapid cycle improvement, human factors training, and/or Lean Six Sigma.
• Leads by example to develop multi-disciplinary, cross-functional team capacity to perform improvement projects independently, illustrating the proper use of methodology and tools as the project proceeds through its phases.

Communications skills:

• Responsible for preparing professional presentations and present findings and solutions to all levels of the organization.
• Keeps abreast of the latest trends in performance improvement.
• Monitors outcomes, key performance indicators and financial results of improvement initiatives and report to the Director and senior Leadership.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

1. Bachelor's degree **
2. Current/Valid certification as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) by National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ).
3. Four (4) years (48 months) of Quality Improvement (QI) work experience in a clinical or healthcare related field/setting performing duties comparable to the Senior Quality Specialist level of this series.

**Applicants possessing a Master's degree, in a closely related field, meet the requirements for #1 above. Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Business, Healthcare Administration or closely related field required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current Valid Lean Silver level Certification (or ability get certified within 6 months of hiring) and obtain Gold level within one year of hire and /or ASQ Six sigma Black Belt.
• Masters degree.

To Apply:

Please click on the following UI Health Job Board Link: uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/2119?c=uic

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation