The System Patient Safety and Advocacy Officer reports directly to the CMO. The Patient Safety & Advocacy Officer (PSAO) is responsible for the development and oversight of the organization’s Patient Safety programs and associated initiatives. The PSAO serves as the point of contact and liaison with internal and external stakeholders on patient safety issues. The PSAO works in partnership with unit specific leaders to minimize incidents that may impact the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff, contractors, and visitors. As the Advocacy Officer, the PSAO organizes and supervises the system’s complaint and grievance process to ensure compliance and to provide exceptional advocacy services for our patients. The PSAO works in close partnership with the QIO and Accreditation team to provide the organization with expert advice and guidance as a united voice on quality, safety and accreditation matters, which are all highly interdependent functions.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE: Healthcare quality/patient safety or clinical experience required. Hospital regulatory expertise (CMS, DNV GL, or other hospital regulatory body) required and Health Care Quality Improvement experience preferred, with emphasis in data collection, performance improvement initiatives, patient safety initiatives, accreditation activities, risk management, or patient relations. The incumbent must possess the ability to lead groups and facilitate meetings. Leadership and management skill is essential to be successful in this position. 

EDUCATION:Bachelor’s required, certification in a patient safety discipline preferred either at hire or 24 months after hire.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRY/additional qualifications:  Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) within 24 months of hire.

The professional in this job is responsible for:

Patient Safety & Advocacy:

Responsible for conducting and coordinating multiple performance improvement functions that foster quality improvement, patient safety, early intervention for potential risk management concerns, and accreditation requirements for the St. Peter’s Health system. Works in close collaboration with Risk Manager to develop structures, processes and policies to assure organizational compliance with accreditation standards, federal and state laws and regulations, and internal requirements relating to patient safety management. Provides leadership to the Patient Centered Services Team. Must utilize expertise to engage provider (physician and mid-levels) and nurse collaboration in clinical and process improvement initiatives.  Utilize knowledge and experience to facilitate and guide meaningful data analysis to positively impact patient safety and clinical quality Develops effective methods for reporting of patient safety events and close calls.  Develops key networking relationships with other system leaders.  Identifies and develops responses to patient safety trends, based on review of data management system information and national patient safety goals. Assists departments in minimizing, avoiding, and mitigating preventable error. Leads the Patient Centered Services Team to develop the Monthly System Safety Story.  Leads the Safety Committee to review RCAs, debriefs, risk assessments and events to further safety initiatives and continuous improvement.  Facilitate Root Cause Analysis and de-brief events focused on identifying system weaknesses and ensure appropriate and timely follow-up is completed. Actively participates in safety culture work and helps facilitate improvements.    Provides consultation and training on patient safety concepts, safety event analysis, error avoidance and mitigation, and implementation of safe practices. Provides leadership for preparation and readiness for regulatory and accreditation surveys. Serves as the patient safety liaison to regulatory agencies and accreditation bodies. Provides consultation to all departments on the interpretation and application of DNV GL accreditation standards to maintain patient and staff safety. Lead the Patient Advocacy team to effectively manage the organization’s event reporting system. Reviews MIDAS events prior to closing to determine that all identified risks have been addressed to ensure future patient and staff safety Responsible for regulatory compliance with the complaint and grievance process. Provide an exceptional patient advocacy experience for patients and the community. Utilize the event reporting system data to develop initiatives to improve the safety and well-being and experience of patients and staff. The PSAO leads the Patient Centered Services Team to ensure the TACT approach for the best customer service and a primary focus on patient and staff safety at the St. Peter’s Health system. Provides leadership guidance and oversight for the administration of all safety related organizational surveys (e.g. Culture of Safety Survey) and the follow-up action plans.  Other duties as assigned.