Chief Quality Officer

Description

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

Summary:

As a member of the UNC Hospitals senior leadership team and reporting to the President of UNC Hospitals, the Chief Quality Officer (CQO) is responsible for the overall direction, leadership and operational management of the quality and safety programs of UNC Hospitals & Clinics. The CQO will have accountability for understanding, coordinating and measuring performance of internal and external quality and safety requirements and will provide leadership in strengthening a quality culture where everyone is engaged and respected.

The Chief Quality Officer will serve in a highly visible leadership role, working collaboratively across the enterprise and externally to provide a state and national presence for the program, and be seen as a national leader in quality and safety.

Responsibilities:

Quality and Safety:

• Working with the Chairs in the School of Medicine and the Medical Staff, the CNO and other entity leaders, the CQO develops and implements the foundational strategy and change management that is necessary as the health system balances growth and sustainability with the highest level of quality, safety and service, ultimately reducing variation in patient care. Direct and implement evidence-based programs, practices and activities that realize continuous improvements in clinical quality and patient safety.
• Work collaboratively across the enterprise and externally to enhance our care quality and safety so UNC Hospitals can deliver on its promise of caring for our patients, their loved ones, and each other. Strengthen and reinforce a culture of quality, safety and value across UNC Hospitals.
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary quality and safety organization that transcends existing units and reinforces a consistent approach to quality and safety.
• Create an environment that fosters innovation and performance, supporting the implementation of programs that continuously advance clinical outcomes and patient experience. Actively implement innovative ideas to redefine, measure and improve quality.
• Ensure that UNC Hospitals rapidly advances as a leader in quality and safety among national academic health systems, community health systems and regional providers, as evidenced by exceptional patient outcomes and performance rankings in the top five to ten percent.
• Establish quality measurements for internal use and assure reporting of quality metrics to all required external entities, including federal, state, and private.
• Lead in developing, directing and coordinating innovative, multidisciplinary quality and outcomes management initiatives across UNC Hospitals that incorporate national best practices, drive down variation, decrease costs and create efficiencies.
• Oversee quality data analytics, understand trends and direct the monitoring, reporting and active discussion of clinical outcomes among the areas where quality issues have been identified. The CQO will do this by enabling stronger performance through improving approaches based on calculated risks and benefits; benchmarking UNC Hospital's performance against other leading academic health systems and integrated delivery systems; proactively seeking to improve processes and implement best-in- class solutions, raising quality and productivity in a thoughtful way; and identifying new systems and processes to improve quality and make healthcare delivery more efficient.

Accreditation:

• The CQO is the senior leader over Accreditation. He/she abides by all Joint Commission requirements including, but not limited to, sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patients' rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.
• Lead various medical center-wide committees, councils, task forces, work groups and focus groups, representing the President on those committees and groups as appropriate. Perform all duties inherent to a senior-level managerial role.
• Serve as a spokesperson for UNC Hospitals regarding CMS, Joint Commission and all accrediting bodies with appropriate national organizations; effectively communicates with external agencies to improve clinical excellence. Serve as a primary interface to the UNC Health Board of Directors for Quality, Safety and Accreditation.

Infection Prevention:

• The CQO will oversee the hospital's Infection Prevention department and program. He/she will ensure that all members of the medical staff, teammates, students and others adhere to robust and well-defined evidence-based standards pertaining to infection prevention and control.

Leading People:

• Leads people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals.
• Provides an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
• Encourages workforce engagement by building a commitment to excellence and by promoting the organization's vision internally and externally.
• Delegates responsibility clarifies expectations and holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility.
• Leads in a deliberate and predictable way and operates with transparency.
• Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
• Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
• Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.

Leading Change:

• Acts as a catalyst for organizational change. Influences others to translate vision into action.
• Brings about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals.
• Establishes an organizational vision and implements it in a continuously changing environment.
• Is open to change and new information and rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
• Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks. Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization.
• Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks. Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others.

Results Driven:

• Exceeds organizational goals and customer expectations. Makes decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
• Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Delivers high-quality services and is committed to continuous improvement.
• Fosters a culture of safe and compassionate patient care.
• Makes well-informed, timely decisions, even when data are limited, or solutions produce unfavorable results.
• Positions the organization for success by identifying new opportunities and builds the organization by developing and improving services.
• Leads the budgeting process.
• Uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities, monitors expenditures in support of programs and policies, and identifies cost-effective approaches.

Other Information

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in health-related field required.
• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Nursing, Pharmacy or equivalent degree with recent clinical practice and board certification is strongly preferred.

Licensure/Certification Requirements:

• Licensed or eligible for license for clinical practice in North Carolina.

Professional Experience Requirements:

• Requires a minimum of 12 years of experience, with at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience.
• At least 5 years of experience leading quality and/or operational programs within a large, complex academic medical center or integrated delivery system with oversight for both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Experience in an academic setting is strongly preferred with a national reputation and a track record of scholarship related to quality and safety. Proven experience in establishing strategic priorities and building the infrastructure and team to implement large-scale initiatives and behavioral change across the enterprise. Experience utilizing the approaches and methods of process improvement as evidenced by achieving desired outcomes.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:

• Extensive understanding of clinical practices and various medical specialties relevant to the organization.
• Familiarity with hospital operations, budgeting, and financial management principles.
• Skillful in interpreting healthcare data, identifying trends, and utilizing data to drive quality improvement initiatives.
• Effectively lead and collaborate with the medical staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Adept at navigating complex situations, engaging in effective negotiation, and resolving conflicts constructively.
• Lead and navigate organizational change initiatives while maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing disruption.
• Stay up-to-date on healthcare trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to drive continuous improvement.

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: Director's Office

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US: NC: Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities.