Patient Safety Specialist
R&K Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (R&K) is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
(SDVOSB) with core capabilities in Mission Support, Engineering and Logistics, Cybersecurity and
Intelligence, Environmental and Emergency Management, Exercise and Training, and Defense Healthcare in support of our Defense, Intelligence, and Federal Civilian customers.
R&K supports the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The Chief of Air Force Patient Safety has responsibility within the DHA for managing the Air Force (AF) Patient Safety Program (PSP). The AF PSP is dedicated to providing safe, effective, evidence-based healthcare to beneficiaries. It seeks to develop a healthcare organization where proactive risk identification, data-driven assessment, and reliable processes are the foundation for safe care. R&K supports the AF PSP by providing expertise and assistance in accomplishing the PSP objectives within DHA, AF Major Commands (MAJCOM) and Military Treatment Facilities (MTF).
R&K supports DHA by providing highly qualified and experienced patient safety professionals at numerous MTFs and by providing training and training materials to foster a workplace-based safety cultural transformation, guided by our experts in patient safety.
Title: Patient Safety Specialist (PSS)
Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, 30 MDG
Duration: Permanent / Full-Time
Clearance: Tier 1 (NACI) Investigative Clearance / Background Investigation
Start Date: Upon Approval
Salary Range: Full salary range is $76,500. to $88,500. per year, with the starting salary determined based on candidate's knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability.
Duties:
5.5.1 Task 1: Provide support with planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating a facility-based PS Program that supports and advances DHA Strategic Healthcare safety and reliability objectives, in compliance with DHA PM 6025.13 Vol. 2 and PS Implementation Guide.
5.5.2 Task 2: Serve as the PS Subject Matter Expert (SME) resource in the facility and provide advice to all levels of personnel to ensure proper implementation of the program.
5.5.3 Task 3: Develop an Annual PS Program report completed in coordination with DHA Annual Report requirements.
5.5.4 Task 4: Collaborate on items/issues related to event prevention, risk identification, risk assessment, and risk control with facility functions. These functions include, but are not limited to: Executive Committee of the Medical Staff (ECOMS), Nurse Executive Function (NEF), RM, QM, Performance Improvement (PI), Infection Prevention (IP), Facilities Management (FM), Safety, Medical Logistics, Medical Equipment Management Office (MEMO), Medical Equipment Repair Center (MERC), Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT),
Education and Training (E/T), Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T), and Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE). Task 5: Report MTF patient safety events according to DHA PM 6025.13 Vol 2 and PS
Implementation Guide. Contractor personnel shall analyze the reporting process and events, recommend appropriate actions, and consult with quality, risk, credentials, and PI managers as appropriate.
5.5.6 Task 6: Collect, collate, analyze, and provide data from facility event reviews, CSAs, PRAs, and other sources via a variety of communication forums. Make recommendations and disseminate information to appropriate facility committees and individuals for PS improvement purposes.
5.5.7 Task 7: Collaborate with the facility RM on event analysis. Review Potentially Compensable Event (PCE) cases for potential PS concerns. Collaborate and advise regarding any written items that may contain PS information requiring protection under Title 10 USC Chapter
55, Section 1102- Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records: Qualified Immunity for Participants.
5.5.8 Task 8: Provide support to the facility with process improvement activities in support of the organizational safety and quality goals as it relates to patient safety. Collaborate with the facility PI manager on the use of analytical tools (e.g., flowcharting and statistical process control) in PS activities. In small facilities, Provide support to the facility PI manager in support of organizational patient safety and quality goals.
5.5.9 Task 9: Provide support with the development, planning, and coordination of a comprehensive PS education program in support of DHA PS Goals. Educate all levels of MTF on the PS Program, their role in creating DHA patient safety, more reliable care, and processes for risk identification, assessment, and control.
5.5.10 Task 10: At the facility level, provide ongoing PS education to include new employee orientation, workplace-based refresher training, in-service training on key PS topics, and one-on-one consultations. Typical training topics might include building a culture of PS, reliability, and accountability; implementing current NPSGs; using PI tools for PS measurement, team training and application; important literature updates in PS; and using the JPSR system for reporting PS events.
5.5.11 Task 11: Refresher Training Conduct annual standardized PS education refresher training. Consult with DHA Education and Training office to ensure PS education refresher training for attendees is updated in the Competency Assessment Folder.
5.5.12 Task 12: Provide support in preparing an FMEA/PRA every 18 months and provide support to the MTF in the performance of PI projects as it relates to patient safety. PI projects performed using Lean Six Sigma, HPRA or other DHA approved methodologies are acceptable as per the current version of the DHA-PM 6025.13. PI projects are demonstrated by use of data and analytic tools to track improvement. Projects driven by CSAs, FMEA/PRAs, or other safety event analyses are acceptable provided the data is tracked to validate performance. MTF Leadership approval for FMEA, the Contractor shall send to the DHA appropriate area within 30 business days of completion.
Task 13: Provide support to Government personnel with implementing and monitoring The Joint Commission (TJC) NPSGs within their facilities, annually.
5.5.14 Task 14: Provides Monthly Executive Report to MTF Commander. At a minimum, the report should include information in the standardized report template. The report may contain additional information at the Commander’s request.
Requirements: The candidate shall meet the following qualifications:
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A bachelor’s degree in a nursing or healthcare-related field.
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Four (4) years minimum experience in healthcare related field; military inpatient facility experience highly desired.
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Proficient skills in Microsoft Office (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
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The ability to work independently, organize time, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
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The ability to pay attention to detail and to effectively communicate patient safety concepts to leadership and DHA staff.
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Experience with patient safety aspects of healthcare accreditation is highly desirable. PSSs without such experience must become familiar with PS accreditation requirements.
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Documented experience with performing Comprehensive Systematic Analysis (CSAs) and Proactive Risk Assessment (PRAs). Proficient in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to a broad range of functional areas related to Lean Six Sigma and other commercial quality/performance improvement practices documented.
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Bachelor’s level skills in written and oral communications, public speaking, and fosters positive interpersonal relationships.
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For PSS personnel with data analytic duties: basic skills in Microsoft Access, Visual Basic, Structured Query Language (SQL), related databases, and visual report design tools. Basic skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
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The ability to work collaboratively with Risk Manager (RM) and Quality Manager (QM).
R&K Enterprise Solutions is an equal opportunity employer encouraging individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.
