Quality Improvement Specialist

Are you ready to help Midwest Transplant Network (MTN), the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) serving a population of 5.5 million in Kansas and Missouri, achieve our mission of saving lives by joining our team? MTN is actively seeking an individual to assume the position of Quality Improvement Specialist. This is a full-time position based out of the Westwood, KS office. The Quality Improvement Specialist is responsible for the support of quality systems and processes to improve the performance of the organization.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

QUALITY

1. Participate in developing, implementing, updating and maintaining internal MTN policies and procedures ensuring MTN meets or exceeds standards and requirements of regulatory and accrediting agencies and carries out the organization’s Mission.

2. Assist Management in achieving and maintaining regulatory standards and accreditation. Complete and submit data required by regulatory/accreditation agencies as requested by Management and/or required by statutes.

3. Participate in the development and implementation of monitoring and reporting processes to continually improve MTN performance ensuring an environment that promotes continual process improvement.

4. Systematically address opportunities for improvement by routinely reporting to management on effectiveness of existing programs/processes/procedures based on sound business decisions using data that has been collected and analyzed.

5. Continually evaluate data and processes for value-added activities, including recommending elimination of those found to add little or no value.

6. Lead/participate in quality improvement teams utilizing PDSA approach.

7. Participate in external inspections of vendors and suppliers.

8. Assist in preparing MTN for, and participate in, external audits by regulatory, accrediting and processing agencies.

9. Ensure accuracy and timeliness of reported data on a monthly and quarterly basis.

10. Oversee reporting of data in standardized format on an internet platform selected by the organization. Maintain quality data reporting infrastructure.

11. Responsible for trending data, reporting trends timely and recommending improvement teams where necessary. Manage and monitor improvement initiatives addressing impact on effective (or ineffective) processes.

12. Assist improvement teams with implementing PDSA methodology. Assist improvement team leaders as necessary to address barriers to team success.

ORGAN PROCUREMENT

1. Complete quality check on all charts and ensure charts are completed within the designated time frame allowing Lifelogics charts to be locked by the Organ Procurement Leadership.

2. Submit requested data for Quality Council reporting on a regular basis and ensure dashboards are up to date.

3. Complete UNET entry, feedback disposition, Deceased Donor Registration (DDR) and oversee the billing entry process.

4. Ensure donor information is accurately entered in appropriate computer system for billing purposes.

5. Participate in training/development of organ procurement and quality department staff members.

6. Responsible for maintaining organ recovery knowledge and skills by participating on a regular basis in training, staff meetings, etc.

7. Participate in ongoing quality competency of OP staff members.

8. Other duties may include, but are not limited to: involvement in MTN Laboratory audits and/or quality improvement efforts.

TISSUE PROCUREMENT

1. Responsible for gathering, processing, and communicating donor records, ensuring all required pertinent information is resent from laboratories, medical examiners, coroners, and other sources.

ADMINISTRATIVE

1. Ancillary duties as assigned by Quality Leadership, including but not limited to supplier/vendor contract approval, internal/supplier/external desk audits, and PPR calculations.

QUALIFICATIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. Undergraduate degree in biological sciences or allied health preferred and three or more years experience in the OPO industry and/or equivalent level of experience in the OPO industry required.

2. Organ Procurement Coordinator experience strongly preferred. CPTCcertification beneficial.

3. Significant experience and proficiency using Microsoft Office suite products.

4. Ability to work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Required to work for extended periods of time with few breaks.

5. Ability to work occasional nights and weekends to manage test results.

6. Must maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with MTN motor vehicle policy. Must have reliable personal automobile transportation to be used with company reimbursement using IRS guidelines. Must be able to travel within the service area by ground or air.

7. Excellent organization and time management skills; ability to function independently and collaboratively; good problem-solving and creative thinking skills and well-developed personal stress management skills.

8. Ability to lift 50 pounds and transfer short distances.

9. Possess ability to operate telephones, computers and office equipment.

10. Ability to speak and communicate clearly in order to accurately convey information to donor families, hospital staff and transplant/procurement personnel in person or by phone.

11. OSHA Category III - No exposure to bloodborne pathogens while performing assigned job duties.

12. Home internet and wireless phone access may be required.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Respect: Builds a positive and supportive foundation inviting open, honest, and clear communication. Fosters a sensitive, supportive, and trustworthy environment, which promotes active listening and strengthens rapport throughout all interactions. Cultivates teamwork through acceptance and inclusion by valuing differences and empowering strengths.

Excellence: Demonstrates excellence by going above and beyond, while maintaining compassion and humility in all interactions. Demonstrates a high rate of achievement and success for the organization through proactive objectives centered on the overall mission and vision. Consistently models a positive attitude, a willingness to help others, and a dedication to improvement. Takes full responsibility for their role and challenges themselves to find workable solutions.

Accountability: Demonstrates the highest ethical standards, by honoring commitments to each other and professional partners. Executes all interactions through honesty and transparency. Demonstrates responsibility and integrity through ownership of the mission. Utilizes resources appropriately.

Leadership: Empowers, mentors and encourages all staff, while displaying a high-level of professionalism. Demonstrates ability to cultivate teams and relationships through open lines of communication, honesty and respect. Handles challenges with compassion by developing trust through respectful feedback and support. Acts as a resource by providing the tools, which enable others to reach their highest potential.

It is the policy of Midwest Transplant Network (MTN) to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person will be discriminated against in employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnic origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, arrest record, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. In addition, the organization complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

MTN is committed to complying with state and federal disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities , unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of MTN’s mission.