Risk Management Specialist

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Risk Management Specialist is responsible for the overall management of potential risks and liabilities within Boston Medical Center (BMC) and serves as a role model displaying behaviors that support a strong culture of safety. The Risk Management Specialist responds to patient harm events, learns from individual cases, identifies risk trends, and actively educates leaders, administrators, clinicians and staff regarding methods to maximize patient safety and simultaneously reduce professional liability claims.

This hybrid position requires onsite presence 3 days a week and on-call coverage each month.

Position: Risk Management Specialist

Department: Risk Management

Schedule: 40 hours

Essential Responsibilities/Duties

1. Event Intake & Triage

• Receives and reviews adverse event reports (computerized + phone)
• Manages intake and ensures timely follow-up
• Identifies sentinel events (SREs)
• Provides initial response guidance to staff
• Participates in on-call system

2. Investigation & Case Management

• Leads investigations (interviews, medical record review)
• Manages event reviews to meet 30-day completion
• Prepares investigation reports
• Collects documentation for claims defense
• Leads/coordinates high reliability collaborative case reviews
• Provides feedback to reporters

3. Data Management & Analytics

• Maintains RL Solutions database
• Tracks and analyzes adverse event data
• Reviews aggregate data for trends
• Identifies risk-prone processes and safety gaps
• Supports QA/RM databases for committee review

4. Regulatory & Compliance Reporting

• Reports to external agencies (DPH, DMH, CMS, BORIM QPS)
• Assists with regulatory surveys and responses
• Ensures compliance with Safe Medical Devices Act (recalls)
• Keeps current with regulatory/legislative changes

5. Risk Mitigation & Legal Coordination

• Refers cases to Claims to reduce liability
• Partners with General Counsel on legal matters
• Works with Patient Advocacy on risk/legal issues
• Supports defense preparation for claims

6. Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

• Collaborates with Quality & Patient Safety staff on action plans
• Designs interventions to prevent errors
• Monitors action plans post-SREs
• Identifies health equity gaps

7. Policy Development & Program Support

• Reviews and develops hospital policies
• Supports department-specific safety programs
• Ensures communication of RM policies

8. Education, Communication & Collaboration

• Educates staff on risk management, patient safety and liability reduction

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. 
• Concentration in nursing, science or other healthcare related field preferred.
• Advanced degree (i.e., JD, master’s) preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• RN or other clinical background preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 2 years in risk management/patient safety/quality improvement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA):

• Prior risk management or related experience in a healthcare setting required; knowledge of medical malpractice, healthcare law, and healthcare terminology preferred.
• Must have interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively with administrative and clinical leadership, staff, clinical chairpersons, and other healthcare professionals.
• Ability to effectively interview individuals and groups from diverse professional backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle matters of sensitive nature.
• Ability to collect event information and organize into a coherent narrative.
• Basic command of data management and analysis required.
• Highly self-motivated. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to work deadlines.
• Ability to inspire trust and be seen as someone who provides support and assistance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skill including ability to speak before large audiences and prepare and provide presentations.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office; ability to learn new computer applications such as adverse event reporting software (RL Solutions).
• Occasionally needed to work irregular hours or additional hours for on-call purposes.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability as role may evolve e in a changing environment.

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being. 

NOTE : This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

According to the FTC, there has been a rise in employment offer scams. Our current job openings are listed on our website and applications are received only through our website. We do not ask or require downloads of any applications, or “apps” job offers are not extended over text messages or social media platforms. We do not ask individuals to purchase equipment for or prior to employment.