Divisional Director of Quality Job Listing at Fresenius Medical Care in Denver, CO

Healthcare

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy. Adheres to the FMCNA Compliance Program, including following all regulatory and FMS policy requirements.

Directs the planning, implementation and execution of companywide quality programs and initiatives, including quality, safety and clinical practice standards, to FMS in-center facilities within a defined geographic area of the FMS Division to ensure optimal and effective attainment of divisional and corporate goals. Ensures use and application of principles of continuous quality improvement while promoting the UltraCare culture.

DUTIES / ACTIVITIES:

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

• Responsible for driving the FMS culture through values and customer service standards.
  
• Accountable for outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers.
  
• Develops and maintains effective relationships through effective and timely communication.
  
• Takes initiative and action to respond, resolve and follow up regarding customer service issues with all customers in a timely manner.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Applies experience, dialysis knowledge and expertise to drive the execution and integration of the FMS Quality Enhancement and Management Program and other corporate and divisional initiatives related to quality care within FMS in-center facilities by providing direction and guidance to the Regional Quality Managers in the assigned regions.
  
• Collaborates with all the pertinent divisional stakeholders, including but not limited to Operations, Education, Clinical Services and the Medical Office to ensure achievement of quality goals.
  
• Provides oversight and leadership to the Regional Quality Managers for the assigned regions providing guidance, expertise, and support as needed.

-Evaluates the RQM’s participation and oversight of Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities including periodic direct observations of the RQM’s participation in QAI meetings

-Provides informal feedback on an ongoing basis and formal feedback in the form of the annual performance evaluation.

-Builds a high performing team by identifying strengths and weaknesses of individual team members, providing coaching and mentoring as needed

-Ensures RQMs are properly trained and motivated towards meeting department, regional, divisional and corporate related goals and objectives.

-Provides guidance to RQMs in prioritizing quality improvement activities.

-Drives high quality performance through RQMs by developing goals and objectives related to quality outcomes reviewing and analyzing quality reports to evaluate effectiveness of RQM actions toward attainment of quality goals.

-Manages the department staffing in compliance with company policies including taking the appropriate actions regarding hiring, firing or taking disciplinary measures.

-Provides guidance, interpretation and subject matter expertise to RQMs regarding inquiries about clinical policies and procedures, clinical standards, as well as professional practice and regulatory licensing issues

• Contributes to strategic planning for FMCNA Quality Agenda and the FMCNA Quality Enhancement and Management Program in collaboration with Vice Presidents of Quality at Division and Corporate levels
  
• Together with the RQMs, builds collaborative relationships with key Medical Directors and Medical Advisory Board Members to promote quality outcomes, providing guidance to RQMs regarding addressing barriers to improvement and promoting evidenced-based and better clinical practices.
  
• Oversees focused facility risk assessments to identify opportunities for improvement, develop plans, and evaluate effectiveness of improvement activities assigning other staff members or, in extenuating circumstances, personally conducting the assessment.

-Ensures the appropriate response to emergent requests from the VPQ to investigate, intervene and assist with resolution of a facility or program specific problems including serious adverse events and complaints.

-Utilizes expertise and knowledge to facilitate resolution of complex issues and unresolved quality and regulatory challenges.

-Prepares and disseminates reports on findings to VPQ, Corporate and Divisional Executive Staff and/or other managers as needed.

• Provides direction in developing, implementing and evaluating plans to reduce operational and safety risk within the Division.
  
• Applies current knowledge of FMS clinical and administrative policies, procedures, available internal resources, CMS Conditions of Coverage for ESRD facilities and quality improvement concepts, principles and practices:

-To collaborate with Clinical Services and Divisional quality team members regarding the development and refinement of the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Program and to develop and implement new clinical, technical and regulatory policies and procedures.

-To assist VPQ with special projects, strategic initiatives and quality improvement activities.

• Collaborates with the Director of Regulatory Compliance to provide assistance and guidance for unusual, complex, or challenging Plans of Correction (POC) related to CMS, State, OSHA, FDA, and other regulatory surveys as well as internal audits (i.e. compliance audits). Evaluates effectiveness of POC through review of the QAI in each facility with RQM.
  
• Fosters and maintains good working relationships with state survey agencies, CMS regional offices, Networks, other regulatory bodies and ESRD professional community.
  
• Communicates with Quality Team including VPQ on a regular basis to ensure information is provided in a timely manner, assisting VPQ with coordination of Medical Advisory Boards Meetings and activities and attending and presenting at meetings as requested by VPQ.
  
• Participates in planning and achieving budget for assigned team.
  
• Other 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 and interaction with patients, facility staff and physicians. Considerable travel required. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to Regional, Divisional and Corporate meetings may be required. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.

EDUCATION

• RN required


• Certification in nephrology specialty or quality preferred


• BSN preferred

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS

• At least 5 years experience as an RN in the field of nephrology or 3 years experience with a bachelor’s degree in nursing


• At least 3 years management experience


• Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills for the position, including excellent verbal and written communication skills, customer service, continuous quality improvement, relationship building, results orientation, team building, motivating employees, performance management, critical decision making.


• Strong organizational skills


• Proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint


• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships at various levels of the organization.


• Maturity and tact essential.


• Knowledge of nursing process, standards of practice, Nurse Practice Acts


• Good understanding of the relationship between providers of health care services and regulatory agencies.


• Ability to analyze and propose alternative solutions, assisting in resolving sensitive to complex issues/problems.


• Ability to differentiate between when coordination may be performed by telephone, written instruction and requires approval by higher level authority.


• Ability to travel 50% - 80% of the time and valid driver’s license.


• Preferred: Experience in teaching/consulting; in complex multi-site organizations, in quality, risk management, case management or infection control.