Process Improvement Nurse - Children's Surgery Program

Involves the establishment and supervision of processes (e.g., performance improvement, clinical documentation, etc.) to achieve the optimal degree of excellence in the services rendered to every patient. Evaluation of practice operates within the parameters of patient outcome, cost-benefit in care provision, and patient access to the health care delivery system. Provides for internal strategic planning efforts and implementing continuous quality improvement programs.

Serves as the BCH Children's Surgery Performance Improvement (PI) Nurse, responsible for data collection, analysis, and performance improvement activities for patients under 18 years of age, in support of the American College of Surgeons Children's Surgery Verification Level I Programs at both BCH San Francisco and BCH Oakland.

The American College of Surgeons Children's Surgery Verification Programs are embedded within the BCH Perioperative Department and operates as a collaborative; multidisciplinary partnership focused on advancing pediatric surgical quality and safety. Guided by Level 1 standards from the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the programs work across teams to drive continuous improvement in surgical care and patient outcomes.

The Children's Surgery PI Nurse partners closely with the Children's Surgery Program Manager to lead performance improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing patient outcomes, identifying patient safety and system issues early, and implementing evidence-based practice improvements. This role requires a high level of clinical judgment, creativity, organization, and prioritization.

The PI Nurse collaborates with pediatric focused physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and multidisciplinary teams to support BCH Hospitals in system-wide and cross-bay performance improvement through coordination and execution of assigned projects.

• Utilize EMR reports and advanced performance improvement skills to manage projects and make recommendations.
• Analyze clinical and NSQIP-Pediatric data to identify opportunities for enhanced patient care and system efficiency.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to improve system operations and document performance improvement and quality assurance steps.
• Implement and monitor clinical processes, identify trends and sentinel events, and outline remedial actions.
• Lead or participate in clinical and technical teams to develop new plans, criteria, and benchmarks using advanced QI models.
• Provide technical leadership and advice on complex QI issues, including functionality, efficiency, and program development.
• Present initiatives and results to relevant committees, such as the Perioperative Performance Improvement & Patient Safety (PIPS) Committees.
• Maintain processes for data collection, validation, analysis, and distribution to meet ACS measurement requirements.
• Conduct QI reviews for mortality, sentinel events, and readmissions, ensuring findings are incorporated into QI plans.
• Collaborate with NSQIP-Pediatric Surgical Clinical Reviewers to ensure accurate data collection and entry.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 4 years' experience in a children's hospital setting with a surgical or critical care focus.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing or other healthcare profession, or a combination of comparable clinical education and / or experience.
• In-depth knowledge of QI standards, clinical chart review, abstraction, and regulatory requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of QI models, tools, and techniques for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Advanced organizational and project management skills with the ability to lead and prioritize tasks.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage complex information and responsibilities.
• Advanced interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with clinical and technical staff and external agencies.
• Advanced ability to convey complex information verbally and in writing, producing high-quality reports and presentations.
• Advanced knowledge of administrative and business software packages for quality data management.
• Advanced skills to influence and persuade staff, management, and clinicians at all levels.
• Expert ability to collaborate effectively with staff, management, and clinicians across departments.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Current CA RN license
• Active American Heart Association BLS Certification

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 4 years' experience in a children's hospital setting with a surgical or critical care focus.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing or other healthcare profession, or a combination of comparable clinical education and / or experience.
• In-depth knowledge of QI standards, clinical chart review, abstraction, and regulatory requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of QI models, tools, and techniques for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Advanced organizational and project management skills with the ability to lead and prioritize tasks.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage complex information and responsibilities.
• Advanced interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with clinical and technical staff and external agencies.
• Advanced ability to convey complex information verbally and in writing, producing high-quality reports and presentations.
• Advanced knowledge of administrative and business software packages for quality data management.
• Advanced skills to influence and persuade staff, management, and clinicians at all levels.
• Expert ability to collaborate effectively with staff, management, and clinicians across departments.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Current CA RN license
• Active American Heart Association BLS Certification