Patient Safety and Risk Management Nurse - York Hospital

At York Hospital, we're more than a hospital. We are a team of providers, clinicians and staff members offering expertise within a Hospital setting, our community sites, and physician practices located throughout Southern Maine and the NH seacoast. Our caregivers' commitment is to make a positive difference in the lives of one another, our patients and our community by instilling our vision of Loving Kindness for all.

We are currently seeking a full-time, 40 hours per week, Patient Safety and Risk Management Nurse to join our Quality Team.

I. Position Summary:

The Patient Safety and Risk Manager RN is responsible for identifying, assessing and recommending actions for actual and potential exposures to the York Hospital (YH) organization with a goal of improved patient safety and protection of the organization’s assets. This position maintains oversight of the event reporting system and serves as the first line contact for YH malpractice insurers and legal teams. This position interacts with YH leaders and staff for improving patient safety. This position works under the direction of the Director of Quality and Risk Management (Director).

This position also ensures that the organization adheres to governmental laws, regulations, and accrediting body standards and implements policies and procedures necessary to support risk structures and processes. In collaboration with the Director, aids in the design, development, implementation, and monitoring of the risk management program, including effective systems which promote and support patient, caregiver and visitor safety, medical malpractice prevention and the health of the organization, and that align with York Hospital’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

II. Principle Responsibilities and Duties:

• The RN Patient Safety and Risk Management Nurse oversees the organization’s patient safety and risk program.
• Serves as the system administrator for the organization’s Incident reporting system (IRS) and leads patient safety initiatives throughout the organization.
• Accurately analyzes patient safety data from the IRS to identify trends and prepares and provides statistical data, graphs and other reports to leaders to identify potential safety situations that may impact patients, visitors, and staff.
• Collaborates with appropriate department managers and/or directors to assure appropriate investigation, interventions, and documentation of incidents reported in the IRS.
• Responsible for reporting requirements for various hospital committees including Quality Committee, Safety Committee, Grievance Committee and others related to patient safety and risk prevention.
• When necessary, reports certain patient incidents to the Maine Sentinel Events Team according to Maine laws and submits plans of correction following investigation of the incident.
• Facilitates patient safety debriefs, root/apparent cause analyses, failure mode analyses as well as providing education to leaders regarding how to conduct these activities.
• Develops and communicates with senior leaders on appropriate responses to risk events and medical care complaints in accordance with legal requirements.
• Conducts chart reviews to identify deviations from clinical practice and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provides an assessment of the organization’s risk program, initiatives and interventions to determine effectiveness of activities and makes recommendations to improve outcomes and mitigate risk.
• Coordinates with the office of the CEO to assist with the grievance process.
• Collaborates with Medical Staff Coordinator for the reappointment process
• Notifies the liability insurance carrier of actual and potential claims.
• Collaborates with legal counsel and leaders to provide recommendations regarding complex patient situations
• Coordinates with medical records department to respond to appropriately issued subpoenas for the release of records to the requesting party.
• Coordinates with State and federal oversight boards/agencies staff as they conduct investigations of providers and or the organization.
• Initiates Claim Advisory Notices after gathering pertinent information and performing necessary investigation
• Participates in development of processes/systems designed to share and recognize performance improvements and compliance across the organization to mitigate risks to patient and staff safety/risks to the organization.
• Develops and communicates with senior management on appropriate responses to risk events and medical care complaints in accordance with legal requirements.
• In collaboration with the Director, designs training curriculum for conducting investigations of incidents and provide education to leadership teams, clinical leaders, supervisors and staff.
• Performs investigations and responds to incidents/events, potential claims, and grievances presented against caregivers, physicians and the organization for liability and damages. Records and collects documents and evidence and maintains work product in accordance with legal requirements and sets up claim. Ensures collaboration and mitigation of risk to the organization’s insurance coverage against liability and casualty loss.
• Other duties include collaborating with other members of the quality team with quality improvement projects, infection control, and review process. Assists the organization prepare for regulatory surveys and accreditation.

• Strong level of confidentiality due to the sensitivity of materials and information handled
• Ability to build and motivate teams with demonstrated leadership and facilitation experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication, research, and problem-solving skills
• Good organizational skills to handle multiple priorities while remaining professional and calm.
• Ability to interact with YH’s executive leaders, legal and insurance representatives, and investigatory regulators.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, carry out work assignments independently and efficiently and

have the ability to be self-directed, and flexible.

• Keeps current with healthcare risk management trends and best practices, assisting with implementation of new or revised guidelines and practices

• Working hours are generally M-F 8-4:30
• Hourly wage (40hr/wk)
• Sedentary work with repetitive keyboard/computer work tasks/motions.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing with at least 5 to 7 years clinical experience including at least one recent year of experience in healthcare quality improvement, risk, or patient safety roles
• Experience in a healthcare organization in a leadership/management role
• Have experience with participation in or facilitation of RCAs and safety debriefs
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations in a health care setting.
• Experience in the formation of collaborative relationships with multi-disciplinary teams.

• MS in Nursing, MPH, MBA nursing or similar advanced healthcare degree preferred.
• Experience in a risk position at an acute care facility
• Knowledge of and experience with one or more QI methodologies such as: Lean principles, IHI Model for Improvement, PDSA, TEAMSTEPPS, Clinical Microsystems, etc.
• Statistical analysis, data display, trending using Excel or similar program.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM), Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS), Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), or similar healthcare quality/safety certification

YORK HOSPITAL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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