Lead Quality Improvement Engineer
University of Iowa

Job Info

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The Quality Improvement Program (QuIP) at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics has an opening for a full-time Lead Quality Improvement Engineer. The Lead Quality Improvement Engineer partners with key stakeholders in the organization to analyze current processes and make changes where improvements will optimize organizational performance, ultimately improving the quality and safety of care provided to the patients we serve. They are competent process managers and use a variety of skills to ensure performance and process development. They are responsible for using performance improvement principles to drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence, including IHI Model for Improvement methodology, creating a culture where management and employees are invested in outcomes and empowered to implement change. The focus is on improving the overall care and experience that patients receive. They are responsible for leading/working with teams, gathering data on care procedures and systems, analyzing it to discern opportunities for improvement, and making recommendations for improvement based on the results.

The Lead Quality Improvement Engineer is responsible for supervising, mentoring and developing the Quality Improvement Engineers in the Quality Improvement Program in partnership with the Director of the Quality Improvement Program.

The successful candidate must have:

• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be self-directed and have excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to make quality, independent decisions.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Analytical and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines, high volumes and multiple interruptions.
• Ability to maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality.
• Ability to listen to others.
• High-grade diplomatic skills to effectively negotiate for harmony.
• Flexible and adaptable to change.
• Competency in the use of a variety of computer hardware and software systems.
• Commitment to creating and contributing to a positive team culture.
• Works collaboratively with the CQO and Director in the Quality Improvement Program to operationalize the vision and the work of the program for the hospital.
• Respect for the administrative hierarchy

Characteristic Knowledge/Skills, Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops an understanding and proficiency in the use of process improvement methodologies, including Lean and Six Sigma to eliminate waste and variability throughout the organization, as well as the IHI Model for Improvement to accelerate improvement through tests of change on a small scale using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles.
• Apply broad knowledge, best practices, and contemporary project management tools to produce desired improvement results.
• Understand business strategy and business planning principles and apply with minimal guidance in project work.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements related to University of Iowa Health Care.
• Knowledge of change theories.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in Epic.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Skilled at process mapping and conducting observations.
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility.
• Ability to weigh and manage priorities.
• Skilled at multi-tasking.
• Detail oriented.
• Skilled at synthesis and analysis of complex information.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Customer service oriented.
• Knowledge of external data sources used to identify institutional opportunities for improvement, i.e., Vizient | Adult Inpatient Q&A, Pediatric Q&A, Ambulatory Q&A, CMS Stars Rating, Hospital Value Based Purchasing (HVBP), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).
• Lead teams assigned to defined FY Quality and Safety goals designed to improve the quality and safety of care provided to the patients we serve. Lead operational improvement teams, utilizing performance improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma, Lean, 5S, and Value Stream Mapping, as well as IHI Model for Improvement. Accountable to ensure projects are managed through entire life cycle within approved scope, schedule and budget.
• Perform data analysis to understand current process opportunities.
• Prepare and present educational programs on process improvement, coaching, mentoring, teaching and developing staff members in the use and application of Lean and quality improvement tools.
• Develop methods for data collection; collect and retrieve data; design and access databases for decision making.
• Conduct basic and advanced analyses to improve processes, performance and outcomes.
• Conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEAs), risk assessments, and prioritization matrices as appropriate.
• Act as liaison with planning and design staff on operations and physical space design to ensure efficient processes for the introduction of a new services or space.
• Develops effective and supportive relationships with all members of the QuIP team and multidisciplinary teams in the hospital.
• Demonstrates behaviors that promotes a positive team culture influencing our ability to impact quality and safety throughout the organization.
• Champion of Just Culture.
• Participates in the hiring of professional and support staff.
• Assumes special assignments as delegated by the Chief Quality Officer and the Director of the Quality Improvement Program

Leadership | Supervision:

• Provides functional supervision and oversight to Quality Improvement Engineers, acts as a resource and content expert, orients, develops and trains new staff, provides day-to-day oversight of team responsibilities, and contributes to the performance evaluation process.
• Respects the vision of the Chief Quality Officer, and partners with the Director of the Quality Improvement Program to ensure leadership roles in the program are aligned.
• Generates reports and presents information to upper-level leadership as appropriate.
• Accomplishes department objectives by managing Quality Improvement Engineer staff through planning, evaluating and guiding project inventories and timelines.
• Empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.

Supervision Received:

• General supervision is received from the Director and the Chief Quality Officer in the Quality Improvement Program, as well as the Lead Quality Improvement Specialist.

Supervision Exercised:

• Exercises functional supervision over professional and support staff.

Percent of time: 100%, full-time

Work schedule: Some flexibility between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Location: This position is located at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, IA. This position is eligible to participate in partial remote work after the initial training and onboarding has been completed. Remote work must be performed at a location within the state of Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and the employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

Pay level: 5B. To view the full salary range for 5A: Professional and Scientific Pay Structures | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)

Benefits Highlights: Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits

About the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics:
The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics-recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States-is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®

Living in the Iowa City area:


The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is located along the picturesque Iowa River in Iowa City, a city of some 77,000 people (170,000+ in the metro area) regularly ranked as one of the nation's best places to live. Iowa City is less than four hours from Chicago and within five hours of Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Kansas City, readily accessible via interstate highways and a regional airport 30 minutes away. For more information about Why Iowa? click here.

Required Qualifications

Education Requirement:

• A master's degree in business, engineering or applicable field with 1-2 years' experience utilizing process improvement principles and tools.

~ or ~

• A bachelor's degree in business, engineering or applicable field with 2 or more years' experience utilizing process improvement principles and tools.

Experience Requirement:

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with department and organization leadership to develop and lead teams to address institutional-level quality and performance improvement priorities.
• Outstanding communication skills at the verbal, written and presentation levels.
• Proficiency in computer software applications.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a diverse environment.
• Possess ability to analyze complex data and report metrics.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills necessary to build effective relationships within all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.

Desirable Qualifications

• Lean/Six Sigma Certification.
• Experience working in a healthcare environment.
• Experience supporting a Lean cultural transformation.
• Advanced analytical skills necessary for the evaluation of complex data sets.
• Ability to develop/teach concepts/tools of process improvement.
• RN licensure with 3 years' clinical experience.

Application Process:

• In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload a current resume and a cover letter (and mark both as "relevant file") that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on October 16, or on date of closing.
• Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
• This position is not eligible for University of Iowa sponsorship for employment authorization.
• For questions, contact Heidi Bodensteiner at heidi-bodensteiner@uiowa.edu.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Qual & Op Improv Snr Engineer
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa

Compensation

• Pay Level: 5B

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Heidi Bodensteiner
• Contact Email: heidi-bodensteiner@uiowa.edu

This job has expired.