Sr. Patient Safety Specialist - Quality & Patient Safety - F/T Days

Updated: Feb 23, 2024
Location: Orange
Job Type:
Department: Quality & Patient Safety

UC Title: QLTY IMPV HC SPEC 4

Position Number: 41020790

Reports to: Mgr, Quality & Patient Safety

Working Title: Sr. Patient Safety Spec

Cost Center: Quality & Patient Safety (428728) 

Bargaining Unit: No Bargaining Unit

FLSA: Exempt

Date Created: 2/02/2024

Job Code: 006525

Hours: 40

Shift: Not Applicable

FTE: 1

Position Summary: 

Incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of patients across the UCI care continuum. Responsible for spearheading the development, implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive patient safety program, including causal analysis, incident report management, safety rounds, and organizational safety training. Works with Quality, Patient Safety and Transformation leadership, clinical and medical leadership in analyzing the human, organizational, and system factors contributing to adverse events and work with them to identify and implement risk reduction strategies that promote patient safety. Manages collection, processing, documentation, and follow-up on adverse events, including performing daily surveillance and causal analysis of highly complex patient safety incidents, adverse events, errors, and areas of noncompliance. Recommends changes, policies or programs that could prevent future errors. Promotes a culture of safety by organizing and conducting patient safety rounds and addressing potential risks and patient safety concerns. Promotes and supports the Great Catch program and overall recognition of safety efforts by frontline staff and providers. Serves as a lead and a resource on patient safety activities, projects and initiatives. Supports the Critical Events Management Team in the escalation, discussion and follow-up of high severity and high-risk safety events.

Total Compensation

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our: 

Compensation practices (https://www.hr.uci.edu/partnership/totalrewards/compensation.php ) and 

Benefits (https://careersucirvine.ttcportals.com/pages/benefits ). 

Salary Range: 

Annual Rate  Minimum  $100,600.00                       Midpoint            $145,700.00                       Maximum             $190,800.00

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in healthcare administration, public health, nursing or other relevant field

Consistently interacts with all members of the organization in ways that enhance understanding, respect, cooperation and problem solving

Knowledge of healthcare regulatory standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, CMS) and their impact on patient safety

Ability to communicate with front line staff and senior leadership in an effective and psychologically safe manner.

Extensive (5+ years) experience in patient safety, quality, regulatory and/or risk within a healthcare setting.

Demonstrates a leadership style that builds and maintains a climate of trust and inspires commitment from others to cultivate a culture of safety.

Strong leadership abilities, including the ability to motivate and engage others in patient safety initiatives.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with various stakeholders and drive change.

Thorough knowledge of patient safety reporting systems and adverse event management.

Expert in conducting root cause analysis and utilizing other risk assessment tools and methodologies.

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, analyze data, and implement evidence-based interventions

In-depth knowledge of patient safety principles, regulatory guidelines, and best practices

Preferred Qualifications: 

Master's Degree in Related Field

Certification in patient safety, risk management, or quality improvement (e.g., Certified Professional in Patient Safety) is highly preferred.

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Legal Right to Work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page: https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php  

Closing Statement:

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. 

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact UCI’s Employee Experience Center (EEC) at [email protected] or at (949) 824-0500, Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.