Job Opening: Program Director, Washington Patient Safety Coalition

Job Opening

The Foundation for Health Care Quality (FHCQ) is a nonprofit organization with a 30-year history of dedication to providing a trusted, independent, third party resource to all participants in the healthcare community including patients, providers, payers, employers, government agencies, and public health professionals.  The Washington Patient Safety Coalition is one of five quality programs under the umbrella of the Foundation for Health Care Quality. The Foundation for Health Care Quality offers competitive compensation and benefits, including paid time off, health insurance for medical, dental and vision and employer contributions to 401(k) retirement plan.

The Washington Patient Safety Coalition (WPSC) is a neutral hub for statewide patient safety efforts, convening leaders in patient safety, quality, and risk management from over 35 member healthcare organizations and health systems in the state of Washington. The role of the WPSC is to share patient safety best practices and coordinate the patient safety efforts of member agencies by convening topic-specific workgroups and subcommittees, organizing the annual Northwest Patient Safety Conference, and offering other engagement activities aimed at carrying out the program’s core mission to improve safety for patients receiving healthcare in Washington.

Summary

The Program Director of the WPSC leads the program development, engagement and communications of the WPSC. This position works in alignment with the Foundation for Health Care Quality programs and with local and regional volunteers and leaders to engage them in support of the Coalition.

The Program Director reports to the FHCQ’s Chief Executive Officer and is responsible/accountable to the WPSC Board of Directors for the strategic direction and development of the program.

The Program Director navigates and manages complex volunteer relationships and multiple engagement environments, collaborates with external organizations and stakeholders on programs of shared interest and responsibility, and works to engage members to increase awareness, participation and increase membership.

This role includes management of the Communication and Resolution Program (CRP), a pilot program housed within the WPSC aimed at reshaping responses to patient harm. This program functions in conjunction with the University of Washington Medical Center to expand awareness and implementation of communication resolution efforts in the state of Washington. CRPs are the emerging best practice for addressing patient harm when it happens and preventing it in the future. CRPs provide a systematic approach for openly engaging with patients and moving toward a positive resolution after an adverse event.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Program Director of the WPSC is responsible for strategic planning, program development, budget authority and employee hiring and supervision. Additional development and management items are outlined below.

Washington Patient Safety Coalition Program Development and Management

• Direct, design and oversee the implementation of the WSPC program, including creating and maintaining stakeholder engagement opportunities, evaluating the program for effectiveness and continuing relevance and impact.
• Plan, promote, and host the annual Northwest Patient Safety Conference. This includes engagement of event sponsors, building speaker roster, chairing the Conference Planning Group.
• Lead topic specific workgroups, committees and subcommittees. Work closely with committee/subcommittee chairs to plan and carry out the goals and activities of each group.
• Budget development and responsibility. Manage membership structure, such as dues.
• Direct, design, manage, evaluate, and implement a communications strategy. Actively maintain communication tools and messaging aimed at informing and engaging diverse regional stakeholders. This communications suite includes developing public- and member- facing content through blogs, weekly newsletters, webinars, social media platforms, and website.
• Maintain knowledge of current patient safety and quality improvement priorities, terminology, and changes in the healthcare landscape.
• Lead coordination of the AHRQ grant-funded pilot on Communication Resolution Program Certification, a new model of tri-party resolution in cases of medical error.
• Serve as liaison to principle grant investigators at the University of Washington. Coordinate efforts among University of Washington leadership and other statewide CRP partner agencies in the development and management of CRP strategic plan.
• Facilitate highly confidential CRP Certification activities. Convene committee of patient safety experts and patient advocates to review responses to adverse events. Provide valuable feedback to the submitting organization and create “lessons learned” newsletter for the medical community to learn from submitted CRP cases.
• Lead CRP training events in conjunction with national and regional CRP trainers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and five years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, healthcare program development, marketing/communications or related field.

Demonstrated computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for correspondence, special reports, spreadsheets, etc. and reasonable proficiency at web-based communications applications and conference planning software.

Desired Qualifications

Advanced degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Education, Communications and/or related human services field.

Conditions of Employment

Ability to work nights and weekends for events and/or deadlines. During Events (from setup to tear down) or on Event days:

• Ability to stand 4 or more hours continuously.
• Ability to walk 4 or more hours continuously.
• Ability Standing: duration of 4+ hours for events
• Ability to work greater than a 10 hour day

Candidate selected must have personal transportation and be willing to travel, including out of state, when necessary.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to fhcq@qualityhealth.org