Job Summary/Overall Objectives

The Patient Safety Officer will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the development of comprehensive patient safety improvement initiatives to reduce medical errors and healthcare incidents at Independence Health System. The incumbent has a current understanding of patient safety theory, methods, standards and regulatory requirements along with a commitment to life-long learning to maintain expertise within the field of patient safety.  The position provides leadership and expert consultation in the development and oversight of programs that strengthen a patient safety culture and create a safe environment for providing patient care.

Essential Job Functions

Support the Patient Safety Program system wide. Provide leadership and expert consultation in the development and oversight of programs that strengthen a patient safety culture and create a safe environment for providing patient care. Participate in the review of the Patient Safety Plan and applicable policies and procedures. Member of the Independence Health System Patient Safety Committee and be responsible for presenting cases to the committee, including action taken as a result of the investigation. Answer calls 24/7 for Patient Safety at Frick and Latrobe Hospitals and serve as coverage to Westmoreland Hospital Patient Safety Officer when necessary. Participate in both formal and informal proactive risk assessment as it relates to patient safety. Monitor compliance with the National Patient Safety Goals. Work collaboratively with executives, administrators, doctors, and clinical nursing staff members to develop effective strategies that supports the culture of safety within the organization. Ensure clinical services are delivered in compliance with federal and state safety standards. Makes available information regarding employees conduct and compliance with established policies and procedures necessary for the professional practice evaluation process for both the medical staff and nursing. Educate staff, volunteers, practitioners, and the community related to patient safety, accreditation and licensure. Develop lesson plans, course content and materials for programs. Present or facilitate presentation of materials to appropriate audiences. Coordinate the investigation of potential near misses, incidents, serious events and sentinel events in conjunction with the Chief Quality Officer. Receive and review Compliance Line reports to determine potential events needing further review and investigation. Participate in weekly Patient Safety workgroups and present potential cases for review. Facilitate investigation of events with department managers, medical staff and other leaders. Work to establish a blameless and supportive environment, which balances a non-punitive response to human error, with the appropriate level of accountability for reckless behavior. Participate and coordinate root-cause analysis as needed. Provide written notification to patients for serious events as defined by Act 13. Work closely with the Chief Quality Officer to determine applicability of Act 13 and Joint Commission definitions. Complete on-line reporting via PA-PSRS for serious events. Participate actively in the coordination and readiness activities related to the Joint Commission accreditation and Department of Health licensure survey. Participate and represent Patient Safety with both announced and unannounced surveys. Assist in conduction of pre-survey activities including mock surveys or safety rounds. Serve as consultant on site to managers, staff and medical staff related issues related to patient safety. Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

Master's Degree in related field and five (5) years of related medical or surgical experience. Graduate of accredited nursing program. Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice. Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience. Experience with Quality tools such as failure mode effects analysis, root cause analysis, and SWOT analysis. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook and Excel.

License, Certification & Clearances

Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania required. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program required. Certified Health Care Quality Professional preferred. Certified Professional Patient Safety preferred. Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.). Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

 

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Extreme Cold

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Heights

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Confined Spaces

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Extreme Noise(>85dB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Mechanical Hazards

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Use of Vibrating Tools

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Operates Vehicle

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Operates Heavy Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Rotates All Shifts

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

8 Hours Shifts

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

10-12 Hours Shifts

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

On-Call

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hrs/wk)

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

Travel Between Sites

X

 

 

 

 

X

 

Direct Patient Care

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Respirator Protective Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Eye Protection

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Head Protection (hard hat)

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Hearing Protection

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Hand Protection

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

Feet, Toe Protection

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Body Protection

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Latex Exposure

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

Solvent Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Paint (direct use) Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Dust (sanding) Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Ethylene Oxide Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Blood/Body Fluid Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Chemicals (direct use) Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Mist Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Wax Stripper (direct use)

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Ionizing Radiation Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Laser Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Bending (Stooping)

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

Sitting

X

 

 

X

 

 

 

Walking

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

Climbing Stairs

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

Climbing Ladders

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Standing

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

Kneeling

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Squatting (Crouching)

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

Twisting/Turning

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

Keyboard/Computer Operation

X

 

 

X

 

 

 

Gross Grasp

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Fine Finger Manipulation

X

 

 

X

 

 

 

Hand/Arm Coordination

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

 

X

 

 

 

<10#

 

Carry

X

 

 

 

<10#

 

 

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Seeing Near w/Acuity

X

 

 

X

 

 

 

Feeling (Sensation)

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Color Vision

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Hearing Clearly

X

 

 

X

 

 

 

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Reaching Forward

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

Lifting Floor to Knuckle (lbs)

 

 

 

 

<10#

 

 

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle (lbs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder (lbs)

 

 

 

 

 

<10#

 

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead (lbs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.