Unit Summary

In accordance with our organizational commitment to be a top ranking hospital for the quality of our care and the excellence of our patient and family experience, the Patient Safety Program in collaboration with interest-holders provides organization-wide operational support and leadership in the area of Patient Safety. The program is accountable for the provision of roles, resources and structures required to deliver safe, patient and family centered care and services across Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and, as a part of the Quality and Performance Portfolio, the program models the application of evidenced based quality tools and methodologies. Through education, modeling and mentoring the Patient Safety Team will support organization wide awareness, attention and focus on the critical importance of safety and the necessity of a positive experience for all patients and families.

Position Summary

Responsible to the Manager of Quality and Patient Safety, the Patient Safety Specialist in collaboration with interest-holders has accountability to support the advancement of the Patient Safety Program at Hamilton Health Sciences. This includes ongoing development, implementation, and evaluation of the program. Responsibilities include facilitation of system wide activities related to patient safety improvements, education and professional development, measurement and learning, advancing cultural maturity, and supporting best practices that create safety. The Patient Safety Specialist also supports organization wide safety initiatives in order to provide safe, high quality care that is patient and family centred. The key focus of this Patient Safety Specialist role is around supporting and advancing surgical quality of care.

Schedule Work Hours

Monday to Friday, day

Qualifications

1. Registered Health professional with a Masters Degree in a related field with at least 3 years of hospital experience

2. Minimum of 5 years experience in a Clinical Hospital setting with a thorough understanding of hospital service delivery. Surgical and/or Critical Care experience is an asset.

3. Minimum of 3 years experience in quality and patient safety

4. Understand and demonstrate application of key concepts of patient safety such as: human factors, teamwork and communication best practices; environmental design for safety; system design and approaches; high reliability organizations, safety 1 & 2; safety event investigation; and the patient and family role in patient safety.

5. Formal education in quality and patient safety, and expert knowledge of patient safety literature.

6. Demonstrated project management skills. Proven change agent with advanced knowledge of change management strategies.

7. Experience facilitating quality improvement, and application of quality improvement tools and methodologies. Certification in quality improvement an asset.

8. Demonstrated expertise and ability to apply, teach and mentor teams in the use of patient incident investigation tools, such as root cause analysis and failure modes effects analysis (FMEA).

9. Demonstrated skills in: data collection design and analysis, including knowledge of statistical and experimental design; ability to evaluate outcomes using a balanced scorecard approach; and presentation and report writing skills.

10. Demonstrated ability to effectively work in teams in balance with an ability to work independently and offer creative and innovative solutions.

11. Demonstrated skills in project management, change management, facilitation, and adult learning principles, presentation and report writing.

12. Demonstrated evidence of commitment to continuous learning through pursuit of education endeavours.

13. Demonstrated ability to understanding and appreciate cultural, religious and individual beliefs and fosters an environment of equity, diversity and inclusion.

14. Proven leadership abilities, excellent interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills that promote cooperation, build teamwork and an ability to work collaboratively with all levels of the organization.

15. Proficiency in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Epic, Sovera, and reporting software applications such as RL solutions.

Guidelines

Hamilton Health Sciences fosters a culture of patient and staff safety, whereby all employees are guided by our Mission, Vision, Values, and Values Based Code of Conduct. Hamilton Health Sciences is a teaching hospital and all staff and physicians are expected to support students and other learners.

To be considered for this opportunity applicants must apply during the posting period. All internal and external applicants may ONLY apply via the Careers website. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.