Rural Division Clinical Improvement Consultant

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Provides coordination of quality improvement initiatives for member facilities, including assessment of clinical performance, monitoring of quality activities, identification of gaps in best practice, recommendation of improvement projects and plans to improve patient care, safety efforts and quality outcomes. Will work closely with and assist Rural Division Quality Officer to support member hospitals of the Bryan Medical Center's CAH Network of hospitals, Heartland Health Alliance members, and other related Rural Division clinical quality initiatives.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Develops programs and services based on member needs and facilitates their implementation.

3. *Conducts onsite annual reviews of Bryan Medical Center CAH Network hospitals to help ensure compliance with critical access hospital conditions of participation; creates recommendations for performance improvement, and presents to senior leadership teams, boards, and medical staff findings.

4. *Represents Bryan Health, Heartland Health Alliance, and Bryan Medical Center CAH Network to external agencies.

5. *Collaborates with the Rural Division Quality Officer to develop network programs aligned with state and federal standards and guidelines related to quality improvement and rural initiatives.

6. *Demonstrates proficient understanding of state and federal conditions of participation and related regulatory requirements for providing annual critical access hospital reviews and mock surveys; works with area hospitals and critical access hospitals to assure consistency in interpretation and application of care delivery model, mission and vision according to conditions of participation.

7. *Collaborates with area hospitals and regulatory bodies to develop and measure standards of care and best practice guidelines to improve local quality of care.

8. *Assesses gaps in healthcare performance, provides consultation and ongoing evaluation of hospital and provider performance. Develops strategies for improvement, facilitates improvement activities, makes recommendations and ensures successful implementation.

9. *Utilizes Lean, continuous improvement methodologies, project/change management skills and clinical expertise to analyze and drive improvement using evidence-based practices in accordance with standards established by federal and state regulatory agencies.

10. Leads or participates in the development of specific Heartland Health Alliance (HHA) programs and initiatives per HHA management support agreement.

11. Leads or coordinates various groups, task forces and committees to share information, plan, and problem solve.

12. Solicits and coordinates engagement and involvement in initiatives, education, and collaborates with member hospitals.

13. Networks with area hospitals to identify and provides available resources from Bryan Health and Medical Specialties.

14. Develops and publishes materials on behalf of Bryan Health System and HHA.

15. Develops, markets, and facilitates fee-based consulting and education services as clinical subject matter expert.

16. *Leads or co-leads initiatives, education, or collaborates leveraging clinical and quality expertise.

17. *Carries through specific work projects.

18. May serve as interim leadership role in critical access hospitals through interim management contracts on behalf of Bryan Health.

19. *Coordinates the follow up, investigation, and service recovery of complaints from referring hospitals or physicians on behalf of Bryan Medical Center.

20. *Supports the identification of business development opportunities with other hospitals, for example Bryan Telehealth, Bryan Medical Center Mental Health Counseling, etc.

21. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

22. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

23. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of system theory and clinical nursing practices.

2. Knowledge of patient and staff education as it relates to disease management and other clinical programs.

3. Knowledge of medical and legal laws/regulations relating to areas of responsibility.

4. Knowledge of quality outcomes and compliance including an understanding of evidence-based clinical practices.

5. Knowledge of critical access hospital regulations and interpretive guidelines.

6. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

7. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of constituents.

9. Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and work as a team member.

10. Ability to analyze problems, identify needs and priorities and implement effective work strategies.

11. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

12. Ability to effectively utilize a variety of communication and meeting styles both in person, telephonic and virtual.

13. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Current Registered Nurse from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act required. Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred. Minimum of five (5) years progressive clinical nursing experience required.

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Required travel between CAH Network hospital locations, Rural Division client locations, and HHA member hospital locations on a regular basis throughout Bryan Health's primary, secondary, and tertiary markets.