Manager Quality Improvement

Job Description

The Manager, Quality Improvement is a member of the Technical Heads of the Regional Health Authority and is responsible for the health quality/risk management objectives for the South-West Regional Health Authority. He/She provides expertise, advice and leadership to assist in the implementation of the Authority's region-wide quality and risk management programme which ensures that the Authority continuously improves its performance in delivering services.

The Manager, Quality Improvement supports the Authority's vision, mission, values and strategic goals through the implementation and application of risk control techniques and initiatives to enhance quality outcomes. Specifically, he/she collaborates with the General Manager, Quality and Risk Management, to assist other technical heads and heads of departments to ensure that all areas of the Authority understands, own and are accountable for institutionalizing quality/risk management systems within management, tactical, clinical and non-clinical processes.

The Authority reserves the right to assign the officer to any Facility under its management.

Key and Critical Responsibilities

• Demonstrates effective and inspiring leadership to ensure that the Quality Improvement Department is highly effective and efficient to impact on the SWRHAs success.
• Spearheads the oversight of the staff of the Quality Improvement Department, ensuring that the relevant performance management systems are implemented.
• Develops and implements plans and strategies for improving service quality congruent with the Quality Improvement Departments strategic quality and risk management plan. 
• Assists the General Manager, Quality and Risk Management in the establishment and implementation of departmental policies, goals, objectives and procedures utilizing the output of audits, surveys, reviews, client feedback and other relevant reports.
• Assists the General Manager, Quality and Risk Management in the development of Quality Improvement (QI) targets and indicators for approval of the Board and inclusion in the SWRHA Business Plan utilizing outputs of audits, surveys, reviews and client feedback.
• Collaborates with the General Manager, Quality and Risk Management to provide leadership and advice in the implementation of a quality and risk management programme and the provision of an effective and proactive quality monitoring and evaluation function.
• Collaborates with Heads of Department in the development of key performance indicators.
• Collaborates with ICT Department to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a 
• Quality Management Information System (QMIS).
• Recommends and provides training and development initiatives, to be delivered by self and 
• others, to assist in raising the awareness of control, compliance and quality risk management standards. 
• Initiates departmental, facility and region-wide Quality Improvement projects aimed at improving service quality.
• Prepares quality improvement programme reports for the General Manager, Quality and Risk Management for review and approval by the Executive Management Team and Board of Directors, as well as the Ministry of Health.
• Coordinates the preparation of quality reports including but not limited to the client feedback system, quality assessments and evaluations, surveys and special investigations.
• Ensures the timely completion and submission of reports, to the General Manager, Quality and Risk Management, on all adverse events that are consistent with the Ministry of Health Adverse Events Policy and Guidelines. 
• Maintains a system for monitoring all operations and services to drive continuous improvements and ensuring adherence to practices in keeping with Health Sector Accreditation Standards.
• Defines document standards to guarantee the homogeneity of procedures and working instructions related to the Quality System.
• Collaborates with clinical and non-clinical heads to develop Quality Improvement projects for improving service delivery including systems re-engineering initiatives.
• Works closely with Managers/Heads of Department/Supervisors on an ongoing/continuous basis to achieve agreed quality outcomes.
• Collaborates with the Senior Quality Auditor in the execution of the Authoritys quality audit function.
• Convenes QI meetings with Heads of Departments, Standing Committees and working groups of professionals to review implementation of plans / interventions; policies and guidelines and discuss Quality Assessment reports. 
• Identifies training deficiencies in audit and survey reports and brings it to the attention of the General Manager, Quality and Risk Management.
• Advises clinical and non-clinical staff on the need for revising standards and protocols.
• Advises on the appropriateness of health technology to meet local population needs.
• Provides recommendations on quality specifications for inclusion in procurement contracts.
• Initiates research projects to ascertain root causes of incidents / complaints.
• Convenes meetings with clinical and non-clinical heads and quality coordinators to discuss and action QI reports.
• Collaborates with the Infection Prevention and Control Officers in respect of risk management functions as they relate to infection prevention and control.
• Assists with implementing the activities of and promotes the organizations Quality Award Programmes.
• Performs related duties as assigned by the senior.
• Ability to perform duties according to assigned rosters or plans that can be formulated in times of authorized service exigencies.
• Ability to use the relevant computer applications related to job functions.

Key Competencies

• A first degree in Management or Social Sciences or a Health related degree from a recognized university.
• A Masters Degree in Management will be an asset.
• Certification in Quality Management/Quality Auditing from a recognized Programme.
• Eight (8) years experience in Quality Management/ Quality Auditing in the Health Sector, five (5) of which must be at a supervisory/managerial level.
• Membership in a recognized association/body for Quality Professional will be an asset.