Job Summary
The Performance Improvement Specialist II serves as a senior-level contributor to the hospital’s quality, safety, regulatory, and operational excellence initiatives. This role independently leads complex, high-impact performance improvement projects across clinical and non-clinical areas, applying advanced Lean Six Sigma and performance improvement methodologies. The Specialist II partners closely with executive leadership, physicians, managers, and frontline staff to analyze system-level performance gaps, design sustainable improvement strategies, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities and regulatory requirements. This position plays a critical role in advancing a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and data-driven decision-making throughout the organization.
Responsibilities
Performance Improvement & Project Leadership
- Lead and manage complex, cross-functional performance improvement initiatives with significant organizational impact.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in Lean, Six Sigma (DMAIC), PDSA, Root Cause Analysis, and change management methodologies.
- Apply advanced statistical and analytical techniques to identify variation, trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Design, facilitate, and lead Kaizen events, process improvement workshops, and improvement workgroups.
- Develop sustainable solutions, control plans, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure long-term improvement gains.
Advanced Data Analysis & Reporting
- Independently analyze large and complex datasets to support quality, safety, operational, and regulatory initiatives.
- Develop and oversee advanced dashboards, scorecards, and performance reports for executive leadership and governing committees.
- Translate complex data and statistical findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
- Monitor organizational performance against internal targets, industry benchmarks, and regulatory requirements.
Regulatory, Quality, and Safety Oversight
- Provide advanced support for regulatory compliance and accreditation readiness (e.g., CMS, DNV, The Joint Commission).
- Participate in and lead regulatory tracers, mock surveys, root cause analyses, and corrective action planning.
- Support enterprise-level patient safety, high-reliability, and risk-reduction initiatives.
- Collaborate with clinical quality, safety, infection prevention, and regulatory teams to align improvement priorities.
Coaching, Education & Mentorship
Coach and mentor Performance Improvement Specialist I staff and departmental improvement leads.
- Provide advanced education and training on Lean Six Sigma tools, data analytics, and improvement methodology.
- Support Black Belt, Green Belt, and improvement training programs as a facilitator or instructor, as applicable.
- Influence change by building strong relationships with physicians, leaders, managers, and frontline staff.
Strategic & Organizational Support
Partner with senior leaders to identify enterprise-level improvement opportunities aligned with strategic goals.
- Contribute to the development of organizational improvement strategy, governance structures, and prioritization processes.
- Support business case development, return-on-investment analyses, and resource planning for improvement initiatives.
- Serve as a key advisor on performance improvement best practices, metrics, and methodology standardization.
- Prepare executive-level presentations, summaries, and recommendations.
- Maintain thorough documentation of projects, outcomes, lessons learned, and best practices.
Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational priorities and strategic improvement goals.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Patient Group Knowledge (Only applies to positions with direct patient contact)
The employee must possess/obtain (by the end of the orientation period) and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide developmentally appropriate assessment, treatment or care as defined by the department’s identified patient ages. Specifically the employee must be able to demonstrate competency in: 1) ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of patient needs; 2) knowledge of growth and development; and 3) understanding of the range of treatment needed by the patients.
Competency Statement
Must demonstrate competency through an initial orientation and ongoing competency validation to independently perform tasks and additional duties as specified in the job description and the unit/department specific competency checklist.
Common Duties and Responsibilities
(Essential duties common to all positions)
1. Maintain and document all applicable required education.
2. Demonstrate positive customer service and co-worker relations.
3. Comply with the company's attendance policy.
4. Participate in the continuous, quality improvement activities of the department and institution.
5. Perform work in a cost effective manner.
6. Perform work in accordance with all departmental pay practices and scheduling policies, including but not limited to, overtime, various shift work, and on-call situations.
7. Perform work in alignment with the overall mission and strategic plan of the organization.
8. Follow organizational and departmental policies and procedures, as applicable.
9. Perform related duties as assigned.
Education
Master’s degree required in Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Public Health, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Quality Improvement, or a related field.
- Minimum of 4–6 years of progressive experience in healthcare performance improvement, quality, patient safety, operations, or data analytics.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional improvement projects with measurable outcomes.
Credentials
- Six Sigma Green Belt Cert
Work Schedule: Days
Status: Full Time Regular 1.0
Location: Northgate-400 Association Dr.
Location of Job: US:WV:Charleston
Talent Acquisition Specialist: Tammy.Young @vandaliahealth.org
