Senior Director, Quality & Risk – Mercy Hospital

As the Senior Director, Quality & Risk at Mercy Hospital, your key responsibilities will include leading strategic change initiatives, assessing compliance with accreditation and licensure requirements, and developing corrective action plans. You will also serve as an advisor to the Executive Team and Medical Staff Leadership, oversee the implementation of regulatory readiness plans, and hold accountability for the integrity of the occurrence reporting system, ensuring timely root cause analysis and action plans.

Candidates for the Senior Director, Quality & Risk role at Mercy Hospital should possess a robust background in healthcare management, particularly in quality assurance and risk management. A relevant degree is typically required, and previous experience in a leadership role within a healthcare setting is essential. Familiarity with regulatory compliance and accreditation processes will also be advantageous.

In the role of Senior Director, Quality & Risk at Mercy Hospital, you'll ensure compliance by implementing thorough regulatory readiness plans for licensing and survey activities. You will assess current practices, develop corrective strategies as needed, and work closely with multiple departments to maintain high standards of quality assurance and performance improvement.

Mercy Hospital is recognized as one of the '100 Best Places to Work' for 2024 by Fortune Magazine, offering a supportive and collaborative environment. With a strong focus on diversity and nurturing long-term careers, Scripps Health provides ample opportunities for professionals to grow and make a measurable impact within the community.

The Senior Director, Quality & Risk at Mercy Hospital plays a crucial role in enhancing patient care by ensuring all quality assurance initiatives and regulatory compliance measures are effectively implemented. Your leadership will drive improvements in clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, allowing the hospital to provide exceptional healthcare services.

When developing a quality assurance plan, it's vital to align objectives with both regulatory standards and internal goals. Focus on identifying the specific areas that require improvement, utilizing data to inform your strategies, and engaging staff across departments for collaboration and buy-in.

Discussing a successful risk management initiative involves outlining the issue at hand, your role in implementing a strategy, and the measurable outcomes that reflect the success of that initiative. Be sure to highlight any collaboration with clinical teams that contributed to achieving the desired results.

To ensure regulatory compliance in a fast-paced environment, it's important to maintain open communication with all team members about compliance requirements. Regular training and updates on protocols can prepare the staff, while scheduled audits and feedback loops help uphold standards efficiently.

When faced with conflict among medical staff, it's crucial to approach the situation with empathy and an open mind. Listen to all parties involved, facilitate open discussions, and seek a collaborative solution that aligns with patient care objectives while respecting various perspectives.

Valuable metrics for assessing quality in healthcare often include patient satisfaction scores, readmission rates, and error reporting trends. It's vital to select metrics that align with your institutional goals and help in driving continuous improvement across departments.

Prioritizing tasks when multiple obligations arise requires a systematic approach. Assess the urgency and impact of each task on patient care and team performance. Utilizing tools for project management can help keep track of progress while ensuring that critical tasks are prioritized appropriately.

Start by sharing a specific example where you were responsible for implementing change. Discuss your strategy for communicating the benefits of the change, involving team members throughout the process, and the steps taken to measure success post-implementation.

Staying updated on healthcare regulations requires a proactive approach, such as subscribing to industry newsletters, attending relevant conferences, and participating in professional organizations. Establishing a network of industry peers fosters continuous learning and keeps you informed about best practices and regulatory changes.

Data plays a critical role in decision-making processes by providing evidence-based insights into performance metrics, risk assessments, and quality outcomes. Analyzing data helps inform strategic choices and allows for adjustments to be made when necessary to improve patient care.

Building relationships with key stakeholders involves consistent, transparent communication and active collaboration. Take the time to understand their needs and concerns, schedule regular meetings to discuss progress and challenges, and show appreciation for their contributions towards achieving shared goals.