Vice President, System Quality & Patient Safety

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At Houston Methodist, the Vice President for System Quality and Patient Safety position is responsible for the accomplishment of the system strategic direction and operation objectives of Houston Methodist System Quality and Patient Safety. This position will report to the System Chief Quality Officer to implement clinical quality and patient safety activities for the Houston Methodist system. This position is responsible for continuous improvement of patient safety, quality, analytics, system accreditation, infection prevention and process engineering in the care delivered. The Vice President for System Quality and Patient Safety position is committed to advancing healthcare quality and safety by focusing on improved outcomes and efficiencies, increased capacity, and provision of safe, timely, cost-effective, patient-centered care. This position will be involved with and support the design, roll out, implement, audit and sustain the qualifications across the system for collaborative high reliability. Utilizes data driven measures across the organization to develop programs to improve the quality and safety of care. With an ever-changing, fast paced healthcare environment, the Vice President for System Quality and Patient Safety position guides future-focused transformation through strategies and tools such as evidence-based practices and standardization; the use of data analytics to achieve effective and efficient operations; and flexibility in promoting quick adaption to opportunities or changing needs for optimal patient outcomes.

This position reports directly to Executive leadership in the organization and has responsibilities which include providing management and oversight of multiple areas and entities, as appropriate, and driving Houston Methodist's mission, vision, values and commitment to excellence. Demonstrating a proven record of successful strategic planning, developing long-range goals and implementation, this position manages a diverse, interprofessional team, collaborating with stakeholders to achieve mutual goals. Directly and indirectly overseeing management staff with the goal of enhancing professional development and personal growth, this position forms and leads internal teams, providing training and mentorship as needed. This position collaborates with all senior leadership to meet the organization's objectives, ensuring operational initiatives are implemented, setting business goals, and solving internal issues when needed. Responsible for the assigned areas' policy and procedure development, revision, and implementation. This position is also accountable for employee engagement, adequate staffing levels, budget development and compliance, to ensure a safe and effective work environment. This position ensures compliance with ethical and legal business practices and accreditation/regulatory/government regulations.

People Essential Functions

• Provides direction to management team to enable the effective and efficient completion of objectives. Gives timely guidance and feedback to direct report management to strengthen their specific knowledge/skill areas needed for progression. Holds direct reporting management team accountable for the development of staff to meet overall objectives in terms of quality, service and cost effectiveness.
• Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one's area and other departments to achieve business goals. Works collaboratively with stakeholders to foster a climate of open communication and mutual problem-solving.
• Develops efficient organizational structures within scope of assignment. Provides leadership for management team to maintain a competent and engaged employee group and provides recognition/commendations to achieve desired outcomes. Drives initiatives to meet or exceed threshold goal for department turnover and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.
• In collaboration with the Chief Quality Officer (CQO), provides quality performance improvement consultation to hospital service lines.
  
  

Service Essential Functions

• Develops and implements strategic and operational/high level projects and processes. Sets clear goals, priorities and objectives for the direct report management team. Oversees multiple departments' operations and designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame, providing guidance to management team to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.
• Drives HM service standards and activities to impact system score for patient/customer-based satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability. Responsible for the overall successful operation of the direct report management team.
• Drives collaboration across the organization to identify needs and develop scalable solutions. Prioritizes objectives and implements strategies to achieve organization initiatives as part of the executive leadership team. Delegates responsibilities to direct report management, providing guidance and direction, as appropriate.
• Serves as a key partner for medical staff and administrative leaders to achieve goals and advance the vision for clinical excellence and the effective use of resources through CQI.
• Works collaboratively with IT, hospital and clinic leadership and medical staff leadership to ensure performance data is analyzed, communicated and routinely provided in accordance with achieving goals.
• Improves data monitoring tools and metrics for analyzing and reporting data to enhance quality initiatives including the development of dashboards for key quality improvement initiatives.
• Engages and supports leadership in developing process improvements based on best practice, standards, and regulations, in partnership with Lean Transformation Leaders and clinical/support operations.
  
  

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Reviews levels of service and significant trends that impact the effectiveness of delivering patient care, critical operational objectives, or other key components within the organization. Ensures that management teams are conducting root cause analyses, as appropriate. Proactively guides management to identify prevention/risk avoidance opportunities and implements continuous improvement plans.
• Monitors and ensures organizational compliance with federal, state and local safety and environmental regulations and standards as well as accreditation requirements. Ensures direct report management monitors and/or revises the departments' safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines.
• Proactively approaches the optimization of safe outcomes and information systems by monitoring, improving and enhancing operations, identifying solutions via collaboration. Oversees the implementation of process improvements, utilizing tools such as lean and change management principles. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety.
• Ensures all external data submission is accurate, complete, and timely for external reporting.
• Leads and supports the effort to develop a culture of safety with the goal of becoming a Highly Reliable Organization with a goal of zero harm.
• Participates in organizational intensive assessments and root cause analysis reviews with the CQO/CPE to identify system issues.
  
  

Finance Essential Functions

• Ensures departments' operational and capital budgets align with organization's strategic plan. Uses benchmark data to support performance, costs and return on investment.
• Drives the maximization of efficiency and productivity. Leverages relationships with vendors and partners to obtain contracts that support cost-efficient operations and maintenance.
• Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement, functioning as a champion of change.
  
  

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Develops long-range goals and strategic plans. Deploys data and research to drive cross-business organization prioritization.
• Maintains acute awareness of market and industry trends. Implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve system operations. Represents HM at community or professional organization meetings.
• Drives change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Initiates and executes succession plans. Conducts conversations with direct report management on their My Development Plan (MDP).
• Contributes to the institution knowledge of the latest trends, practices and state-of- the-art technology as applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
  
  

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Master's degree in related field
  
  

Work Experience

• Ten years of directly related experience to include leading high-performing teams, of which seven years in a people management role; may consider current HM employee with six years of people management experience in healthcare
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.