Quality Improvement Registered Nurse (QRN) - Sacramento

POSITION TITLE: Quality Improvement Registered Nurse (QRN)

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Director of Quality/Risk Mgmt, dotted-line report to CNO

PAY RANGE: $55-65/hr (exempt)

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Under the direct supervision of the Director of QI/RM/PI and dotted-line to Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), the QRN monitors and evaluates performance improvement (PI), quality improvement (QI), and data integrity. This includes conducting research; analyzing, tracking, trending, and interpreting data; developing written reports; and facilitating related training programs to improve operational and program efficiencies, and other duties as assigned.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – Quality Improvement:

• Conduct thorough research on laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and technical reference materials pertinent to continuous performance and quality improvement initiatives.

• Ensures needed data is collected on a timely basis and assesses trends related to documentation
• Reviews and updates policies and procedures to ensure meet regulatory requirements, including, but not limited to The Joint Commission, CDPH, CMS. Comparing policies and procedures against regulatory requirements
• Analyzes, tracks, trends, and interprets data to identify issues or potential areas of risk
• Develops and written narrative and statistical reports
• Develop and provide effective training to staff to improve operational and program efficiencies
• Keeps supervisor informed of all regular communications and reports
• Performs related duties as assigned by Director of QI/RM/PI and CNO
• Upholds the Organization’s ethics and customer service standards
• Support annual Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Goals:
• Ensuring compliance to standards of care as defined by SBHH’s policies and procedures and evident by systematic chart reviews and audits
• Providing individualized treatment solutions as evident by clinical documentation of treatment interventions and goals
• Optimizing reduction of 30-day readmission rates for patients served by monitoring the care continuum and ensuring the needs of the patients we serve are met
• Identifying trends of concern and establishing interdisciplinary Performance Improvement Teams to develop corrective actions to improve outcomes
• Increasing patient participation in therapeutic programming as increased engagement leads to better outcomes
• Increasing utilization of least restrictive interventions to ensure we are treating those in our care with dignity and respect
• Decreasing overall incidents of patient aggression to ensure the safety of all in our facility
• Ensuring all reported patient safety incidents are thoroughly reviewed and identified missed opportunities are addressed and learnings are shared

Requirements

Experience/Education:

• Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing required
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree required
• Minimum of 2 years’ nursing experience, with at least 1 year in psychiatric or behavioral health settings required
• Experience in quality improvement, performance improvement, or infection control in healthcare setting preferred

Knowledge:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Handle with Care (HWC) certifications or obtained during initial orientation period
• Knowledge of infection control procedures, CALOSHA, OSHA, and CDC guidelines
• Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology and infectious disease
• Knowledge of the County Health department procedures and practices, CDPH, TJC, and CMS standards
• Thorough knowledge of all infectious disease, disease warning signs, and response procedures
• Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures is essential

Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines
• Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers
• Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures
• Ability to use good judgement and to maintain confidentiality of information
• Ability to work as a team player
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures
• Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to meet corporate deadlines
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and stand (one-third of the shift), and walk (two-thirds of the shift)
• Ability to reach above, at or below waist height, kneel, bend, stoop, turn twist, and throw
• Ability to see well enough to reach charts, treatment plans and typewritten materials
• Ability to hear well enough to detect noises on the unit and to discern odors
• Ability to frequently lift and carry 10 lbs., occasionally lift and carry, 10-50 lbs
• Ability to frequently push/pull wheeled carts from 100-200 lbs
• Ability to manipulate small and large tools (electric thermometer, telephone, wheelchair, blood pressure cuffs, walkers, paper punch, addressograph, restraints, staplers, EKG machine, copy machine)
• Ability to spend 95% of the work day inside in temperatures varying from 60 degrees-90 degrees F. and where noise levels ranging from low to high
• Ability to spend 5% of the work day outside in temperatures varying from 30 degrees-110 degrees F
• Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste
• Ability to work in an environment where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present and where dust, mist and steam are generated in housekeeping tasks
• Maintain Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) for facility wide products
• Ability to work frequently at a rapid pace and perform a variety of repetitive duties
• Manage supplies related to prevention and containment of infectious diseases
• Maintain facility Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cleaning Supplies “Burn Rates.”
• Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids - category 1