Strategic Clinical Quality Senior Manager

Remote position - Locations include Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii/Guam, and Alaska regions.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

A designated expert consultant for the Clinical Quality function, this role contributes to strategic direction to facilitate the achievement of company goals and clinical priorities for improved patient outcomes and superior quality standards for assigned regions. Provides expertise, support and guidance to assigned operations and clinical leadership teams and staff regarding the practice of continuous Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI). Must have effective communications among the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and must produce effective quality assessment and performance improvement activities which positively influence the assigned dialysis clinics clinical quality outcomes. The scope of the clinical quality oversight of the position covers all treatment modalities (e.g. in-center, home hemodialysis and home peritoneal dialysis), in collaboration with the IDT, is responsible for the monitoring data/information; prioritizing areas for improvement; determining potential root causes; developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising plans that result in improvements in clinical quality outcomes in dialysis facilities within a geography.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides strategic leadership of short- and long-term goals through the use of thoughtful techniques in the communication of the company's mission and core values as a means to implement positive change and/or create organizational structure within the assigned business unit(s).
• Drives high quality performance through development and implementation of strategies to attain goals and objectives related to quality outcomes. Collaborates with appropriate stakeholders including but not limited to the Clinical Quality leadership team, Operations, Education, Clinical Services, Regulatory, Compliance and Medical Advisory Board members to take the appropriate steps to facilitate achievement of quality goals and reduce company risk.
• Contributes to the development of long and short-term goals and objectives related to improvement of quality outcomes, patient safety and patient centered care and facilitates implementation of strategies to achieve goals.
• Incorporates the Quality Safety and Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies of patient centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidenced-based practice, safety and informatics into their practice to continuously improve the quality and safety of care delivered to patients.
• Technically proficient in utilizing appropriate dashboards to monitor high-level quality trends. Analyzes complex quality issue using in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives. Evaluates results and initiates/drives improvement activities as needed. Leads quality improvement efforts through Area Clinical Quality Manager to ensure the effective achievement of Quality goals within the assigned region(s).
• Collaborates with peers in Education, Regulatory, Technical Services and Clinical Services in defining quality strategy and initiatives for assigned regions.
• Participates in the planning, implementation, coordination, evaluation and execution of quality improvement programs activities and initiatives.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Quality leadership to design and formulate in-depth, 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, business and customer service.
• Responsible for the national delivery and ongoing maintenance of assigned training programs. Responsible for ensuring assigned training programs are available and readily accessible to staff hired after initial rollout.
• Maintains continuing education documentation for training programs as applicable to ensure compliance.
• Utilizes data surveillance to analyze, trend and benchmark quality outcomes for assigned regions providing updates to the Medical Advisory Board members, Quality, Clinical and Operational leadership and other stakeholders as deemed necessary.
• Interacts frequently with internal departments; particularly in problem resolution.
• Strong decision maker, capable of handling unforeseen issues.
• Responsible for hiring, coaching and counseling employees, including performance reviews, disciplinary action and terminations.
• Collaborates with Medical Directors, Medical Advisory Board Members, Regional Operations to achieve positive patient treatment outcome, team and management support and effective facility operations.
• Utilizes evidenced based and best demonstrated practices to address barriers to quality improvement. This includes promoting the adoption and utilization of Corporate Medical Advisory Board Recommended Algorithms and Standing Orders, clinical pathways and clinical policies and procedures to improve care coordination and delivery.
• Attends and participates in regional, area, and team meetings as appropriate which may include: quality team building and staff development and other meetings as appropriate.
• Collaborates with appropriate regional management staff as needed to achieve effective inter-disciplinary and intra-disciplinary relationships.
• Provides guidance, interpretation and subject matter expertise to clinical and operations teams regarding quality related clinical policies and procedures, clinical standards, quality improvement tools and electronic applications.
• Facilitates implementation and utilization of company-wide policies, procedures and the FKC Quality Enhancement and Management Program into the facility standard operating procedures.
• Utilizes quality improvement principles and methodology to evaluate the impact of quality improvement strategies and initiatives implemented in assigned regions.
• Applies current knowledge of company clinical and administrative policies, procedures, available internal resources, CMS Conditions of Coverage for ESRD facilities, Value Based Payer Programs and quality improvement concepts, principles and practices.   
• Utilizes adult education principles in the development and execution of education programs and processes that facilitate the implementation and incorporation of the company's quality standards and the practice of Continuous Quality Improvement in facility standard procedures.
• Accountable for outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers, including patients, staff, physicians, field management and staff, and payers, including disease management entities.
• Develops and maintains exceptional relationships through effective and timely communication with all customers.
• 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.
  • Travel to Regional, Division and Corporate meetings may be required.
• This position requires approximately 20% to 40% travel.

SUPERVISION:

• May be responsible for the direct supervision of various levels of Quality staff.

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor's Degree; Advanced Degree in healthcare related field preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Registered Nurse required
• Certification in Nephrology Nursing or healthcare quality preferred.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:       

• 5+ years of Nephrology Nursing and/or related nursing experience.
• 3+ years' experience in a leadership role.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of management through diplomacy and tact.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong management skills with the ability to lead cohesive and productive teams.
• Strong organizational, critical thinking and customer service skills
• Demonstrated adaptability to changes in priorities

EO/AA Employer: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Fresenius Medical Care North America maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.