Pediatric Cardiologist - Director Quality Improvement

Job ID: 50120 Location: Chicago, Illinois Job Overview Full‑time non‑tenure‑eligible Clinician‑Educator at the rank of Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Responsibilities will depend on candidate sub‑specialty interests and training and may include a mix of outpatient pediatric cardiology and inpatient service. Opportunities exist for clinical research and collaboration through the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute of Chicago. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Job Summary The Medical Director, Heart Center Quality Improvement oversees and manages overall quality improvement performance. Working in close collaboration with Center for Quality and Safety leadership, medical staff, hospital leaders, Legal and Risk Management, Information Management, and Data Analytics and Reporting, the Director fosters improvements in care through quality improvement and safety, evidence‑informed practice, electronic health record (EHR) utilization, and clinical analytics. The role requires expertise in formal quality improvement methodologies, human factors, systems and processes, risk areas, and technology to improve quality, safety, and efficiency of care delivery processes and outcomes, and the use of data to drive improvement. The Director demonstrates a commitment to learning from evidence and data to provide high‑quality, safe, effective, equitable, efficient, and timely care as a health learning system and high‑reliability organization. Responsibilities include leading quality‑related change management across the Heart Center, representing quality and patient safety to the organization and external entities, and focusing on improving clinical outcomes, enhancing value, and minimizing patient harm. Leadership Accountabilities Establish and maintain high standards for quality of care and patient safety. Initiate improvements to processes and outcomes, incorporating best practices and innovations in the professional field. Ensure compliance with Lurie Children’s policies, accreditation, and regulatory standards related to the Core Faculty’s work. Attend relevant meetings. Communicate the critical role of staff in achieving Lurie Children’s mission and strategic goals. Facilitate prioritized organizational change initiatives and support staff in adapting to a rapidly changing health care environment. Develop and achieve professional and personal goals for self. Strengthen the brand as a top‑tier provider and employer by establishing and maintaining high standards for excellence. Model the values of service, innovation, and teamwork; hold others accountable for living these values. Foster a challenging and compassionate work environment, recognize strong performance, and listen and act on feedback. Consistently model service principles in internal and external interactions and ensure they are fulfilled by others. Job Specific Duties Develop and revise clinical care guidelines, procedures, and care protocols for The Heart Center. Establish and uphold patient experience standards. Ensure compliance with medical staff bylaws, accreditation standards, and relevant regulations. Review data to identify opportunities for improving overall quality of care within The Heart Center. Facilitate effective communication among program physicians, APPs, and team members. Provide first‑line resolution in the escalation of provider‑related concerns regarding clinical service quality. Provide oversight and leadership for QI programs and participate in medical staff, hospital committees, and performance improvement initiatives. Provide mentorship and teach in improvement programs to expand improvement capacity across The Heart Center. Quality Improvement and Organizational Support Supervise the Quality Improvement team and Data team in collaboration with the Director, Center for Cardiovascular Innovation. Collaborate with clinical and operational Care Team members to establish QI processes throughout the organization. Align with hospital quality standards and partner as needed with the Center for Quality and Safety. Coordinate with physician and operational leaders to drive the incorporation of high‑reliability organization principles into the health care delivery system’s design. Design and employ QI tools for use at the point of care and support the systems reporting team in designing and disseminating tools. Use existing data systems to identify areas in need of quality improvement. Collaborate with Risk Committees to identify appropriate metrics and new collection sources. Oversee data validation processes and refine data management procedures in collaboration with the Data Managers. Employ PDSA cycles and other tests of change to design and disseminate optimal workflows. Provide support to care teams, incorporating QI methodologies and transformation strategies into their function and design. Analyze and review processes, policies, and systems to ensure alignment with NCQA PCMH standards. Champion adoption of standardized best practices across disciplines and departments. Assist in the development, writing, and implementation of policies and procedures pertaining to quality improvement, practice transformation, and PCMH. Competencies Demonstrate knowledge of Quality Improvement Science methodologies. Apply technical and procedural skills efficiently; use Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Microsoft Office applications effectively. Provide patient‑centered customer service, anticipate patients’ needs, and respond timely and accurately. Communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written communication. Exhibit teamwork, interpersonal skills, positive attitude, and effective relationship building. Use critical thinking to analyze situations, make timely decisions, and resolve issues independently. Possess extensive knowledge and experience with industry‑leading quality improvement methods and tools. Qualifications Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy from an accredited medical school. Board certified/eligible and a current Illinois medical license (or ability to secure one). Formal training in QI Science. Proven success in directing and managing projects within expected timelines. Experience in program design, implementation, and evaluation. Ability to multi‑task, prioritize, and work under deadlines. Proficiency in MS Office, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Epic EHR system. Demonstrated ability to work across and lead various groups and teams. Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills. The start date is negotiable and the position will remain open until filled. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals. The Lurie Children’s Heart Center is ranked among the nation’s top cardiology & heart surgery programs; it includes over 50 full‑time attending cardiologists, 12 general cardiology fellows, 5 advanced/4th‑year fellows, three congenital heart surgeons, an accredited congenital heart surgery fellowship program, and a dedicated team of cardiac anesthesiologists. Opportunities exist for interdisciplinary investigation through the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern Medicine and the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute of Chicago. Cardiac intensive care services are provided in the state‑of‑the‑art 44‑bed Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit. When applying, please upload a CV and cover letter describing your interest and alignment with the position. Also upload this completed list of references form to suggest the names of individuals who could write letters of reference on your behalf. Benefits At Northwestern, we provide a meaningful and competitive benefits package. Visit to learn more. For full‑time and part‑time employees who work 20 or more hours per week, Lurie Children’s Medical Group offers a generous benefits package that includes: Medical, dental, and vision insurance Employer‑paid group term life and disability Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account Flexible Spending Accounts Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, and Paid Parental Leave 403(b) with a mandatory 5% contribution and 10% employer match Various voluntary benefits Supplemental life, AD&D, and disability Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage Tuition assistance from Lurie Children’s Hospital Student loan servicing and support Adoption benefits Backup childcare and eldercare Employee Assistance Program and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities Discount purchasing program Applications will only be accepted via online submission. Prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and ensure all information is entered correctly (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted. All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the "Submit" button. Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved. Applications accepted here: Apply for Job Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process. #J-18808-Ljbffr Northwestern University