Quality, Safety & Patient Relations Specialist
Department:
Compliance & QAPI Status:
Full-Time | 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week)
Work Arrangement:
On-Site Position FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt Reports To:
Manager:
QAPI and Risk Location:
Pagosa Springs Medical Center
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado ️ Position Highlight Help shape a culture of safety, quality, and patient-centered care while serving as a key resource for patient advocacy, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and process improvement.
Position Summary Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) is seeking a compassionate and detail-oriented Quality, Safety & Patient Relations Specialist to support our Compliance and QAPI program. This role serves as a vital link between patients, families, leadership, and clinical teams by promoting patient safety, supporting quality improvement initiatives, and assisting with patient relations and service recovery efforts. Responsibilities include coordinating patient safety activities, investigating concerns and events, supporting regulatory compliance, and helping drive organizational performance improvement efforts. This position also supports organizational behavioral health safety initiatives, including participation in PSMC's HQIP Zero Suicide framework and suicide risk reduction efforts. The ideal candidate is collaborative, analytical, and skilled in communication, conflict resolution, healthcare quality methodologies, and patient safety practices. Schedule Highlights Full-time (40 hours/week) On-site position located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado Primarily weekday business hours May require flexibility to participate in meetings, investigations, or patient concerns as needed Key Responsibilities Patient Relations & Service Recovery Serve as a liaison between patients, families, and the healthcare team Respond to patient concerns, complaints, and grievances promptly and professionally Support service recovery efforts and promote a patient-centered culture Collaborate with departments to improve patient experience and satisfaction outcomes Patient Safety & Risk Management Coordinate and support patient safety initiatives and event investigations Assist with Root Cause Analyses (RCA) and Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEA) Utilize reporting systems (including Clarity) for event documentation and follow-up Monitor compliance with patient safety standards and organizational policies Support behavioral health patient safety initiatives, including participation in PSMC's HQIP Zero Suicide framework Assist with identification, review, and follow-up of suicide risk-related events, near misses, and safety concerns, including coordination of Root Cause Analyses as appropriate Quality & Performance Improvement (QAPI) Support Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement initiatives Collect, analyze, and report quality and patient safety data Participate in performance improvement projects and committee work Assist departments with quality metrics, action plans, and improvement strategies Regulatory Compliance Support compliance with federal, state, and organizational quality requirements Assist with regulatory readiness and quality reporting activities Maintain awareness of current healthcare quality and safety standards Collaboration & Education Work collaboratively with leadership and interdisciplinary teams Promote education related to patient safety, communication, and quality improvement Support a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement Education Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education. Experience Minimum three (3) years of healthcare experience preferred Experience in: Quality assurance Patient safety Risk management Patient advocacy strongly preferred Critical Access Hospital or rural healthcare experience preferred Certifications CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) preferred or willingness to obtain within 1 year of hire CPSO, CPPS, or similar patient safety certification preferred Current RN license preferred if applicable Skills Strong knowledge of QAPI methodologies and patient safety principles Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills Strong analytical and organizational abilities Ability to manage sensitive situations professionally and collaboratively Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic health records Work Environment Hospital office and clinical environment Frequent interaction with patients, staff, leadership, and visitors Exposure to work stress, interruptions, and sensitive situations Primarily sedentary office-based work with periodic movement throughout the facility
Compensation & Benefits Base Compensation Range:
$22.45
91 hourly, based on years of relevant experience. "Relevant experience" means relevant to the employee's responsibilities set forth in the job description as determined by the HR Manager, CAO, applicable department manager/director and applicable senior leader.
Benefits:
Benefits include generous paid time off, separate sick leave, health, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, long-term disability and option for short-term disability, and retirement plan with employer contribution.
Job Type:
Full-time Anticipated End Date for
Posting:
May 31, 2026. The deadline may close sooner due to an unanticipated business necessity, such as an incumbent vacating the role earlier than anticipated. You are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline. Pagosa Springs Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, and we will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment health and drug screen and background check. About Pagosa Springs Medical Center Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) is a Critical Access Hospital serving Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County in southwest Colorado . Our Compliance and QAPI teams are dedicated to advancing patient safety, regulatory excellence, and high-quality patient-centered care. Located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado , our community offers a unique mountain lifestyle with access to outdoor recreation and a close-knit environment. Our culture is guided by our
- WISER values—Wholeness, Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence, and Respect—
- which shape how we care for patients and support one another.
Why Join PSMC Meaningful role influencing patient safety and quality outcomes Opportunity to collaborate across all areas of the organization Supportive leadership and mission-driven culture High-impact work improving the patient experience Involvement in behavioral health safety and Zero Suicide initiatives Professional growth opportunities in quality and patient safety
Specialist II:
Quality, Safety and Patient Relations 3.5 3.5 out of 5 stars 95 South Pagosa Boulevard, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 $22.45
- $27.91 an hour
- Full-time Pagosa Springs Medical Center 24 reviews $22.45
- $27.91 an hour
- Full-time Quality, Safety & Patient Relations Specialist
- Full-Time (On-Site)
Department:
Compliance & QAPI Status:
Full-Time | 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week)
Work Arrangement:
On-Site Position FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt Reports To:
Manager:
QAPI and Risk Location:
Pagosa Springs Medical Center
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado ️ Position Highlight Help shape a culture of safety, quality, and patient-centered care while serving as a key resource for patient advocacy, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and process improvement.
Position Summary Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) is seeking a compassionate and detail-oriented Quality, Safety & Patient Relations Specialist to support our Compliance and QAPI program. This role serves as a vital link between patients, families, leadership, and clinical teams by promoting patient safety, supporting quality improvement initiatives, and assisting with patient relations and service recovery efforts. Responsibilities include coordinating patient safety activities, investigating concerns and events, supporting regulatory compliance, and helping drive organizational performance improvement efforts. This position also supports organizational behavioral health safety initiatives, including participation in PSMC's HQIP Zero Suicide framework and suicide risk reduction efforts. The ideal candidate is collaborative, analytical, and skilled in communication, conflict resolution, healthcare quality methodologies, and patient safety practices. Schedule Highlights Full-time (40 hours/week) On-site position located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado Primarily weekday business hours May require flexibility to participate in meetings, investigations, or patient concerns as needed Key Responsibilities Patient Relations & Service Recovery Serve as a liaison between patients, families, and the healthcare team Respond to patient concerns, complaints, and grievances promptly and professionally Support service recovery efforts and promote a patient-centered culture Collaborate with departments to improve patient experience and satisfaction outcomes Patient Safety & Risk Management Coordinate and support patient safety initiatives and event investigations Assist with Root Cause Analyses (RCA) and Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEA) Utilize reporting systems (including Clarity) for event documentation and follow-up Monitor compliance with patient safety standards and organizational policies Support behavioral health patient safety initiatives, including participation in PSMC's HQIP Zero Suicide framework Assist with identification, review, and follow-up of suicide risk-related events, near misses, and safety concerns, including coordination of Root Cause Analyses as appropriate Quality & Performance Improvement (QAPI) Support Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement initiatives Collect, analyze, and report quality and patient safety data Participate in performance improvement projects and committee work Assist departments with quality metrics, action plans, and improvement strategies Regulatory Compliance Support compliance with federal, state, and organizational quality requirements Assist with regulatory readiness and quality reporting activities Maintain awareness of current healthcare quality and safety standards Collaboration & Education Work collaboratively with leadership and interdisciplinary teams Promote education related to patient safety, communication, and quality improvement Support a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement Education Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education. Experience Minimum three (3) years of healthcare experience preferred Experience in: Quality assurance Patient safety Risk management Patient advocacy strongly preferred Critical Access Hospital or rural healthcare experience preferred Certifications CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) preferred or willingness to obtain within 1 year of hire CPSO, CPPS, or similar patient safety certification preferred Current RN license preferred if applicable Skills Strong knowledge of QAPI methodologies and patient safety principles Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills Strong analytical and organizational abilities Ability to manage sensitive situations professionally and collaboratively Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic health records Work Environment Hospital office and clinical environment Frequent interaction with patients, staff, leadership, and visitors Exposure to work stress, interruptions, and sensitive situations Primarily sedentary office-based work with periodic movement throughout the facility
Compensation & Benefits Base Compensation Range:
$22.45
91 hourly, based on years of relevant experience. "Relevant experience" means relevant to the employee's responsibilities set forth in the job description as determined by the HR Manager, CAO, applicable department manager/director and applicable senior leader.
Benefits:
Benefits include generous paid time off, separate sick leave, health, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, long-term disability and option for short-term disability, and retirement plan with employer contribution.
Job Type:
Full-time Anticipated End Date for
Posting:
May 31, 2026. The deadline may close sooner due to an unanticipated business necessity, such as an incumbent vacating the role earlier than anticipated. You are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline. Pagosa Springs Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, and we will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment health and drug screen and background check. About Pagosa Springs Medical Center Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) is a Critical Access Hospital serving Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County in southwest Colorado . Our Compliance and QAPI teams are dedicated to advancing patient safety, regulatory excellence, and high-quality patient-centered care. Located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado , our community offers a unique mountain lifestyle with access to outdoor recreation and a close-knit environment. Our culture is guided by our
- WISER values—Wholeness, Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence, and Respect—
- which shape how we care for patients and support one another.
Why Join PSMC Meaningful role influencing patient safety and quality outcomes Opportunity to collaborate across all areas of the organization Supportive leadership and mission-driven culture High-impact work improving the patient experience Involvement in behavioral health safety and Zero Suicide initiatives Professional growth opportunities in quality and patient safety
