Patient Safety Specialist RN Acute

In 2020 united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care including 11 hospitals and nearly 5000 physicians and providers. Together we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

This job is responsible for performing professional activities associated with the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) patient safety program which is focused on reducing harm, promoting a culture of safety and driving a High Reliability Organization (HRO). An incumbent plays a lead role in the response to serious safety events, major unanticipated clinical events and high-risk near-miss events facilitating and managing the investigation, analysis, classification and corrective action planning using patient safety science principles and the tools of the Virginia Mason Production System as well as assuring standards around patient and family communication pathways and team member support pathways are followed. An incumbent takes an active role in the implementation of effective strategies and best practices designed to strengthen a culture of safety.

Work includes: 1) providing subject matter expertise in the field of patient safety; 2) evaluating and analyzing patient safety events to prioritize and/or identify potential or actual issues which require action; 3) collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to support decision-making and action planning, including culture of safety survey analysis; 4) problem-solving/troubleshooting within scope of position and appropriate escalation of issues to higher-level management; 5) managing complex parallel workstreams in response to a serious unanticipated clinical event and assuring standard response processes are carried out; 6) providing coaching to others on communication to patients and families following adverse medical events; 7) project management for assigned work related to the overall patient safety program; 8) providing formal written and verbal reports; and 9) supporting regulatory responses and reporting requirements.
Work requires strong clinical nursing expertise as demonstrated by possession of RN licensure and an understanding of patient care standards/practices and applicable regulatory requirements sufficient to review nursing/provider documentation to analyze whether the Standard of Care was met. An incumbent uses initiative in carrying out the recurrent work, handling problems and deviations in accordance with established procedures, accepted practice and/or requirements. Successful job performance also requires independent critical thinking and clinical judgment sufficient to triage and prioritize safety events, concerns and trends.

Key collaborators include executives, management, risk managers, quality program managers, regulatory program managers, physicians, nurses and multiple cross-functional or cross-organizational teams where investigative skills and diplomacy, discretion and tact are required in handling highly confidential and sensitive issues. Work requires knowledge of patient safety science, systems, standards, processes, general risk management principles and regulatory/accreditation requirements sufficient to facilitate compliant operations and to exercise judgment and critical thinking in addressing patient safety.

Education/Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing and three years of related work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities.

Licensure/Certification:

• Current RN licensure by the Washington State Nursing Commission.
• Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) or equivalent is preferred.