Posted on Monday, June 11, 2007
CQI Facilitator/Process Engineer - SSM St. Mary's Health Center

Department
Quality Management Department

Location
Founded in 1924, SSM-St. Mary’s Health Center (SMHC), is a private, not-for-profit, community acute care hospital located in St. Louis, Mo. Owned and operated by SSM Health Care (SSMHC), also located in St. Louis, SMHC is the largest facility in the SSM System with 582 licensed beds. With more than $262.5 million in net patient revenues in 2006, SMHC is also one of the largest hospitals in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. SMHC has 1,800 employees and approximately 1,000 on-staff physicians.

General Summary
The CQI Facilitator is responsible for leading and mentoring CQI teams across the entity. Facilitator will act as a strategic resource by planning and implementing change as directed by the Quality Director and Administrative Council. In addition to driving projects to timely completion, the facilitator is responsible for providing mentoring and training to CQI Project Team Leaders, team members and department managers.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to: Quality Director
• Supervises: None
• Interrelationships: Interacts and works with administration, medical staff and employees at all levels.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Imparts the philosophy, values, mission and vision of SSM Health Care and facilitates the integration of values in CQI activities.
• Understands, embraces and practices the principles of continuous quality improvement.
• Leads, facilitates and manages improvement teams that produce improved clinical and business results across the entity. Serves as a champion for change by driving the adoption of successful process improvement practices and by identifying barriers to project success.
• Facilitates project teams focused on improving patient care, safety, satisfaction, process efficiency and productivity. Teaches and coaches CQI Project Team leaders and process owners in the use of process improvement methods and tools including Lean/Six Sigma, PDSA, 100 Day workouts, rapid cycle testing, project management, and change management.
• Provides CQI training for Project Team Leaders, team members, department managers (process owners), executive champions, medical staff members and others as needed, to help them understand data, facilitate ideas for improvement and fast track solutions.
• Responsible for detailed technical work related to data collection, aggregation, analysis and display to help teams interpret results, propose possible solutions and track the progress of action plans and results.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of the Mission and Values of SSM Health Care and the Franciscan Sisters of Mary.
• Possesses a very high degree of analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply the evaluation of information and application of solutions with a desire to integrate CQI principles and tools into work processes.
• Exhibits well-developed interpersonal and communication skills and interacts effectively in sensitive or complex situations within a variety of publics. Able to lead groups and individuals through effective changes in attitudes and processes.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated success in completing projects.
• Exhibits leadership and facilitation skills, and engenders the support and confidence of clinicians, administration, and other employees throughout SSM Health Care.
• Demonstrates effective teaching and coaching skills.
• Strong computer skills with a variety of software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Minitab or comparable statistical software, databases, and Powerpoint.
• Able to effectively manage a variety of activities simultaneously.
• Internal drive and passion to assist employees in providing “exceptional care.”

The above knowledge, skills, and abilities are normally acquired through a bachelor’s degree in an engineering, business or health care related field with subsequent experience and knowledge of healthcare industry; master’s degree preferred. Minimum of two - three years’ experience and documented success in applying and delivering performance improvement methods, tools and techniques to streamline operations and achieve financial cost savings. Experience with training, program assessment and implementation is highly desirable.

Process improvement knowledge, experience and training such as CQI certification, Blackbelt, or comparable required.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with some travel within local area. Work is primarily sedentary; potential for stress due to completing work requirements as scheduled in limited time frame.
• Non-smoking environment.