Lead Engineer, External Reporting and Agencies
University of Iowa

The Quality Improvement Program (QuIP) at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics has an opening for a full-time Lead Engineer for External Reporting and Registries. The Lead Engineer for External Reporting and Registries will work closely with the Chief Quality Officer, Director of the Quality Improvement Program, Director of Enterprise Analytics, and other hospital leadership to ensure UIHC is compliant with external reporting requirements. Opportunities for improvement are identified with associated development and implementation of performance, process improvement projects to improve compliance with regulatory measures. In general, this individual is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring initiatives to improve patient outcomes, patient safety, and other quality metrics in collaboration with leadership and other staff.

This individual will focus on projects pertaining to:

• Core Measures included in CMS's Inpatient, Outpatient, and Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Quality Reporting Programs
• Core Measures included in The Joint Commissions' ORYX program
• Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program
• CMS Star Rating
• Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program
• Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP)
• Leapfrog Safety Grade and Leapfrog Hospital Survey

The Lead Engineer for External Reporting and Registries is responsible for supervising, mentoring and developing the Registry Engineers in the Quality Improvement Program in partnership with the Director of the Quality Improvement Program.

For registries within the Quality Improvement Program and select registries outside the program, this individual may work with others assigned to the registries to assist in analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing data.

The successful candidate must have:

• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be self-directed and have excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to make quality, independent decisions.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Analytical and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines, high volumes and multiple interruptions.
• Ability to maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality.
• Ability to listen to others.
• High-grade diplomatic skills to effectively negotiate for harmony.
• Flexible and adaptable to change.
• Competency in the use of a variety of computer hardware and software systems.
• Commitment to creating and contributing to a positive team culture.
• Works collaboratively with the CQO and Director in the Quality Improvement Program to operationalize the vision and the work of the program for the hospital.
• Respect for the administrative hierarchy.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES:

Compliance:

• Understands and articulates external documents pertaining to program updates, measure specifications, and federal-rule postings.
• Assures that all data collected for quality reporting and initiatives for improvement falls within the policies and procedures of the UI Hospitals and Clinics.
• Serves as the liaison to regulatory agencies (CMS, TJC) and respond to mandatory quality requirements to ensure full hospital reimbursement.
• Monitors the accuracy of data submitted to vendors and regulatory agencies by connecting with representatives from vendors and regulatory agencies, and UIHC staff.
• Reports timely notification of changes regarding data submission, performance, or other communications to quality leadership in order to prevent a payment penalty.
• Develops written reports and presentations related to assessments of current performance and recommends changes in the clinical practice environment which may be required to enhance measure compliance and/or receive full reimbursement.

Quality Improvement:

• Facilitate quality improvement activities utilizing quality methodologies and tools such as IHI Model for Improvement, DMAIC, PDSA, Lean, etc.
• Accountable for the collection and submission of data to regulatory agencies such as CMS and TJC.
• Continuously monitoring trends in quality measure performance through dashboards and reports.
• Promotes collaboration, decision making, and problem resolution through effective interactions or facilitation with members of the hospital organization.
• Reviews, evaluates, interprets and develops reports, and provides end-user assistance, involving analysis, identification of problem needs, designing solutions, and identifying required system adaptations.
• Identifies evidence-based practices and standards through literature reviews and other resources pertaining to quality measures.
• Contact external peers/organizations for successful interventions/programs that have been proven effective.

Data Analytics:

• Demonstrates ability to analyze and interpret data from a variety of sources (claims-based data, laboratory data, medication data, patient medical record data).
• Knowledgeable in statistical techniques used by CMS and other agencies for risk adjustment, calculating performance, and determining rankings.
• Skills in analyzing data by identifying patterns, trends, and distributions.
• Applies data visualization principles in creating tables and other graphics using Excel, Tableau, etc.
• Collaborates with the data analytics team to create dashboards, build datasets, and manage data for projects.
• Validating the integrity of data to be used for analysis.

Leadership | Supervision:

• Facilitates multidisciplinary teams for initiatives to improve performance on quality measures.
• Coordinates efforts to work on quality initiatives which overlap with other hospital requirements or standards (e.g., Accreditation, Magnet).
• Participates in activities such as webinars and conferences that enhance knowledge of CMS and TJC requirements,
• Develop and maintain strong positive relationships with team members, medical staff, and hospital leadership.
• Acts as a departmental representative in hospital wide projects surrounding performance improvement, decision support and utilization of hospital resources.
• Provides functional supervision and oversight to Registry Engineers, acts as a resource and content expert, orients, develops and trains new staff, provides day-to-day oversight of team responsibilities, and contributes to the performance evaluation process.
• Respects the vision of the Chief Quality Officer, and partners with the Director of the Quality Improvement Program to ensure leadership roles in the program are aligned.
• Generates reports and presents information to upper-level leadership as appropriate.
• Accomplishes department objectives by managing Registry Engineers through planning, evaluating and guiding project inventories and timelines.
• Empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.

Percent of time: 100%, full-time

Work schedule: Some flexibility, typically between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Location: This position is located at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, IA. This position is eligible to participate in partial remote work after the initial training and onboarding has been completed. Remote work must be performed at a location within the state of Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and the employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

Job classification: Senior Quality and Operations Improvement Engineer (PAF4)

Salary level 5B. To view the full salary range for 5B: Professional and Scientific Pay Structures | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)

Benefits Highlights: Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits.

About the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics: The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics-recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States-is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives. ®

Education Requirement:

• Master's Degree in a healthcare related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience Requirement:

• Relevant experience (1-3 years) in healthcare, or in a health industry or business administration related job
• Outstanding communication skills at the verbal, written and presentation levels
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data and report metrics
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other computer software applications, including Excel, PowerPoint and Visio
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment and building effective relationships within all levels of the organization.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Advanced analytical skills necessary for the evaluation of complex data sets.
• Ability to develop/teach concepts/tools of process improvement.
• Previous supervisory experience is desirable.

Application Process:

• In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload a current resume and a cover letter (and mark both as "relevant file") that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on May 3, or on date of closing.
• Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
• This position is not eligible for University of Iowa sponsorship for employment authorization.
• For questions, contact Heidi Bodensteiner at heidi-bodensteiner@uiowa.edu.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Qual & Op Improv Snr Engineer
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa

Compensation

• Pay Level: 5B

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Heidi Bodensteiner
• Contact Email: heidi-bodensteiner@uiowa.edu

This job has expired.