Risk Management Director jobs in Bellingham, WA

Job Description

Description

PeaceHealth is seeking a Director Clinical Risk Management in Bellingham, Washington...

The Director of Clinical Risk Management oversees and administers the risk management activities for assigned network inpatient and outpatient facilities. Responsible for identifying, assessing and recommending actions for actual and potential exposures to the organization with a goal of improved patient safety and protection of the organization’s assets. Ensures adherence to government regulations and accrediting body standards and implements policies and procedures necessary to support risk structures and processes. Facilitates assigned network and PHMG leadership in the design, development, implementation, and monitoring of the risk management program, including effective systems which promote and support patient, caregiver and visitor safety, medical malpractice prevention and the health of the organization, ensuring alignment with PeaceHealth’s mission and values. Develops formal and informal mechanisms for risk identification, such as incident reporting, staff referrals, rounding, clinical and non-clinical department meetings attendance, medical record reviews, review of patient complaints, data trending, and review of pertinent quality improvement information.

PeaceHealth has been serving the communities of northwest Washington since 1890 with PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, now a 253-bed, two-campus hospital providing a Level II Trauma Center and a full range of inpatient and outpatient services. The Bellingham medical center is the area’s sole community hospital providing comprehensive specialty care and centers of excellence in cardiovascular, cancer, spine and joint replacements.

Bellingham, WA is the perfect blend of endless outdoor recreation, urban living, strong schools, great shopping & cuisine, and so much more! These amenities are surrounded by incredible scenery, from the sea to the mountains and the rainforest, making this community an amazing place to live. Head to Mount Baker for a day in the snow. Tour the San Juan Islands by sea kayak or sailboat. Trek the North Cascades on foot. Stay in town to explore the shops and cafes of historic Fairhaven and Downtown and then catch a show at Mount Baker Theater – you can do it all in Bellingham!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Serves as a working director for the assigned network. Handles day-to-day risk management operations and tasks including on call coverage, position vacancy support and contact with facility leaders, caregivers and patients. Rounds on facilities and assigned areas. Collaborates on caregiver and key patient safety activities.
2. Consults with caregivers on issues related to risk management, patient safety, and professional liability and other risks such as general liability and product liability. Serves as a liaison and problem solver to provide guidance for enterprise risk prevention for new clinical services, programs and equipment. 
3. Handles escalated complaints and grievance management. Collects data, performs trend analysis and identifies areas of opportunity for improvement from the complaint log. Assists assigned clinical risk managers in closing complaints. Facilitates the network/facility grievance committee.
4.  Develops statistical and qualitative reports on trends and patterns and communicates to appropriate audiences. Develops indices to monitor the effectiveness of the risk management program. Provides leadership with progress reports and data and recommendations.
5. Conducts risk assessments, audits, and investigations to identify potential loss exposures and develop/implement strategies for minimizing risk of loss through loss control programs, risk transfers or avoidance; develops corrective action plans; and recommends and monitors program implementation.
6. Handles recruitment, training, development, coaching and performance evaluations for direct reports. Performs ongoing needs assessment for each team member.
7. Participates in patient safety stops. Provides clinical risk management guidance in safety stops including disclosure of unanticipated events.
8. Participates in creating and/or developing policies and procedures in key areas of risk management, caregiver safety and patient safety for the communities served. Develops annual education programs and on demand education for all levels of staff. Utilizes various media tools such as Skype (or other products) to record and deliver education. Facilitates or co-facilitates FMEA studies as needed and RCA meetings for Serious Reportable events in collaboration with the patient safety consultant. 
9. Performs investigation and responds to events, potential claims, and grievances presented against caregivers, physicians and the organization for liability and damages. Collaborating with Claims, collects documents and evidence and maintains work product in accordance with state legal requirements and sets up claim. Ensures collaboration and mitigation of risk to the organization’s insurance coverage against liability and casualty loss. In collaboration with facility and system leadership promotes compliance with and reports as necessary to the Department of Health, State Board of Nursing, Pharmacy, Medicine, etc. Works closely with law enforcement agencies during high-risk investigations.
10. Collaborates with patient safety, medical and departmental caregivers to ensure timely risk management review and management of serious patient events and medical errors. Facilitates and/or co-facilitates the review of variances rising to a Sentinel Event, state and/or federal regulatory reporting and directs the communication of unanticipated events to patients and potential compensable events. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with key departments to enhance the effectiveness of the program.
11.  Serves as risk management representative to the Facility Quality and or Patient Safety Committee (including falls task force/team), Ethics Committee, Environment of Care, Grievance Committee and other assigned committees. Participates in emergency preparedness and disaster response.
12. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing OR Juris Doctorate required. 
  

EXPERIENCE/TRAINING:

• Minimum of seven years of clinical risk management experience required. 
• Minimum of five years of leadership experience required.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

• Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) certification required within twelve months of employment.

OTHER SKILLS:

• Advanced knowledge of state, federal, and accreditation requirements including but not limited to CMS Conditions of Participation for acute care and critical access hospitals.
• General knowledge in other regulatory areas such as, OSHA, EMTALA, and HIPPA.
• Proficient with MS Office applications and databases.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills.
• Able to work flexible hours.
• Knowledge of state healthcare rules and statutes, and state licensing requirements.
• Experience and knowledge in use of administrative and quality data, with statistical validity preferred.
• Participation in on-call coverage required.
• Ability to travel to other PeaceHealth hospitals and clinics required. 
  

The general salary range for this job opening at PeaceHealth is $120,000 - $180,000. The actual hiring rate is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to, the job/position responsibilities, location, terms of the applicable collective bargaining agreement, education, training, work experience, seniority, work performance, etc.

PeaceHealth is committed to the overall wellbeing of our caregivers: physical, emotional, financial, social, and spiritual. We offer a strong total rewards package. Benefits include 403b retirement plans with employer base and matching contributions, 457 plans, medical/dental/vision coverage, unlimited time off, employer-paid life and disability with buy-up options, wellness benefits and expanded EAP and mental health programs.

See how PeaceHealth is committed to Inclusivity, Respect for Diversity and Cultural Humility.

For full consideration of your skills and abilities, please attach a current resume with your application. EEO Affirmative Action Employer/Vets/Disabled in accordance with applicable local, state, or federal laws.

Must be fully vaccinated or exempted for COVID-19 including 2 doses of a 2-dose series or 1 dose of a 1-dose series plus 14 days beyond the final dose prior to start date. PeaceHealth has a medical and religious exemption request process for those that are unable to receive the COVID-19 primary vaccine series due to medical/religious reasons.