A Director of Patient Safety is responsible for determining and maintaining the strategic direction of their organization's patient safety program and developing a workplace culture where safety is the utmost priority.
Director, Process Quality and Improvement McGovern Medical School Position Summary:
The Director, Process Quality and Improvement oversees and directs all aspects of the university's quality and improvement programs and initiatives. Advances institutional quality, patient safety, and performance improvement initiatives through education, coaching, data analysis, and strategic collaboration. Designs and delivers training in quality improvement and patient safety methodologies; mentors faculty, trainees, and interdisciplinary teams; and partners with clinical, academic, and administrative leaders to implement data-driven improvements that enhance clinical outcomes, operational performance, and organizational excellence.
Position Key Accountabilities:
Lead the Clinical Safety & Effectiveness (CS&E) Program, including curriculum design, participant and faculty engagement, instructional delivery, program evaluation, and scholarly activities. Develop and provide training in quality improvement, patient safety, Lean, Six Sigma, change management, and systems thinking for faculty, trainees, clinicians, and staff. Mentor and coach faculty, trainees, and interdisciplinary teams in the application of improvement science, quality improvement methodologies, and patient safety principles. Analyze performance data and quality outcomes to guide improvement efforts, monitor progress, and support achievement of institutional quality and safety goals. Lead and support quality improvement and patient safety initiatives that advance clinical outcomes, operational performance, and institutional quality goals. Partner with clinical, academic, and administrative leaders to identify opportunities, implement improvements, and drive measurable results using data-informed approaches. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and innovation through education, collaboration, leadership development, and workforce engagement. Support the dissemination of improvement work through presentations, publications, and scholarly activities while advancing organizational capability in quality and safety. Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning. Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Skills:
Extensive knowledge of quality improvement frameworks, patient safety principles, performance improvement tools, regulatory standards, and healthcare quality best practices. Demonstrated ability to lead organization-wide improvement initiatives, influence stakeholders, manage change, and align quality strategies with institutional goals and priorities. Strong ability to analyze complex data, develop meaningful performance metrics and dashboards, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable improvement plans. Ability to build relationships across clinical, academic, and administrative departments; facilitate interdisciplinary teams; provide coaching and mentorship; and effectively communicate quality and safety concepts to various audiences. Work may involve handling biohazardous, chemical, and radiological materials, as well as operating associated equipment. Required safety training and appropriate engineering and administrative controls including the use of personal protective equipment must be followed. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) by American Society for Quality (ASQ), Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC), International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC), or Lean Six Sigma Institute (LSSI) required
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's Degree required
Minimum Experience:
7 years of related experience required
Physical Requirements:
Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.
Security Sensitive:
This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.
Residency Requirement:
Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
