Director of Quality Improvement

Director of Clinical Quality Improvement

Location: Worcester, MA
Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Salary: $118,000–$198,000 annually, based on experience
Relocation: Open to relocating candidates | Relocation assistance may be available based on distance

Position Overview

Wheeler Staffing Partners is seeking an experienced Director of Clinical Quality Improvement (DCQI) for a direct-hire leadership opportunity with an acute care hospital in Worcester, MA. This position is responsible for leading hospital-wide Quality Assurance (QA), Performance Improvement (PI), Patient Safety, and Accreditation programs while promoting exceptional patient outcomes, regulatory compliance, and a culture of continuous improvement.

The Director of Clinical Quality Improvement will partner closely with executive leadership, physicians, nursing leaders, and interdisciplinary teams to develop and execute quality strategies aligned with organizational goals. This role will also oversee regulatory and accreditation readiness, including compliance with The Joint Commission and CMS requirements.

Key Responsibilities

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  Provide strategic leadership for Quality Assurance, Performance Improvement, and Patient Safety programs.
  
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  Develop, implement, and monitor hospital-wide quality and performance improvement initiatives.
  
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  Lead efforts to improve patient outcomes, clinical quality, and organizational performance.
  
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  Promote a culture of patient safety through education, evidence-based practices, and process improvement.
  
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  Oversee quality data collection, analysis, reporting, benchmarking, and performance metrics.
  
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  Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of quality and patient safety data.
  
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  Lead accreditation and regulatory readiness activities, including ongoing survey preparation.
  
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  Serve as a key liaison for The Joint Commission, CMS, and other regulatory agencies.
  
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  Direct, mentor, and develop Quality Improvement department staff.
  
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  Partner with physicians, nursing leadership, executives, and interdisciplinary teams to identify and address quality opportunities.
  
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  Ensure compliance with HIPAA, regulatory requirements, and hospital policies and procedures.
  

Required Qualifications

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  Active Registered Nurse (RN) license or ability to obtain appropriate RN licensure in Massachusetts if relocating.
  
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  Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Quality, or a related healthcare field.
  
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  Minimum 5 years of Quality Assurance (QA), Performance Improvement (PI), Patient Safety, or Healthcare Quality experience.
  
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  Healthcare quality experience within an acute care hospital setting.
  
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  Strong knowledge of healthcare regulatory, accreditation, and patient safety standards.
  
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  Strong leadership, analytical, communication, and change management skills.
  

Certification Requirements

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  Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification is preferred.
  
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  Candidates who do not currently hold the CPHQ must be eligible and willing to obtain certification within two years of hire.
  

Preferred Qualifications

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  Previous leadership experience within hospital Quality or Performance Improvement.
  
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  Experience with The Joint Commission and CMS standards and requirements.
  
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  Experience leading accreditation surveys and continuous survey readiness initiatives.
  
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  Demonstrated success implementing performance improvement and patient safety programs.
  
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  Experience analyzing quality metrics, identifying trends, and implementing corrective action plans.
  
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  Proven ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, executive leadership, nursing teams, and other clinical stakeholders.
  

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced Registered Nurse and healthcare quality leader with a strong background in acute care hospital Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement. This individual will bring the clinical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and leadership skills needed to drive measurable improvements in patient safety, quality outcomes, and organizational performance.