Quality Nurse Specialist

Full-time, 40 hours/week

Monday- Friday days

Onsite

Summary:

The Quality Nurse Specialist integrates performance improvement methodology, implementation science, and evidence‑based practice to support department- and service‑line quality initiatives across Akron Children's. This role partners with clinical leaders, educators, and frontline teams to translate evidence and data into sustainable improvements aligned with organizational quality, safety, and patient experience priorities. The Quality Nurse Specialist applies structured improvement and clinical inquiry methods to drive measurable outcomes while considering local context, workflow integration, and change readiness.

Responsibilities:

1. Leads department‑ and service‑line quality and performance improvement initiatives using structured methodologies (e.g., Model for Improvement, PDSA cycles, Lean tools).

2. Collects, validates, analyzes, and interprets clinical and operational performance data to identify trends, variation, and improvement opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.

3. Facilitates interdisciplinary improvement teams by defining project aims, measures, change strategies, and timelines, and supporting execution, evaluation, and sustainment.

4. Develops and maintains dashboards, scorecards, and visual data displays to support data‑driven decision‑making at the department or service‑line level.

5. Partners with clinical leaders, educators, and frontline staff to frame clinical inquiries (e.g., PICOT), critically appraise evidence, and align evidence‑based practice with local performance data.

6. Supports implementation of evidence‑based and evidence‑informed practices by identifying barriers and facilitators, supporting workflow integration, and monitoring adoption and outcomes.

7. Applies change management and facilitation skills to engage stakeholders, promote psychological safety, and support sustained improvement.

8. Contributes to patient safety, regulatory readiness, and QAPI activities through monitoring quality indicators, participating in risk assessments, and supporting compliance with applicable standards.

9. Manages an assigned portfolio of quality and performance improvement projects, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, timelines, and capacity.

10. Performs other duties as required to support organizational quality, safety, and clinical inquiry goals.

Other information:

Technical Expertise

1. Demonstrated experience using healthcare performance and quality improvement methodologies (e.g., Model for Improvement, PDSA, Lean tools).

2. Experience analyzing clinical and operational performance data to identify trends, variation, and improvement opportunities.

3. Experience developing and interpreting dashboards, scorecards, run charts, and control charts.

4. Experience leading or facilitating interdisciplinary teams to plan, implement, and evaluate improvement initiatives.

5. Experience supporting implementation of evidence‑based practice, including framing clinical questions and aligning evidence with local workflows and data.

6. Experience identifying barriers to change and supporting adoption and sustainment of improvements.

7. Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver clear, data‑informed reports and presentations to leaders, committees, and frontline staff.

8. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and experience using EHR systems (e.g., Epic) and performance reporting tools.

Education and Experience

1. Education: Bachelor's degree in nursing required. Master's degree in nursing, healthcare quality, public health, or a related field preferred.

2. Licensure: Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Ohio or compact/multistate RN license required. Current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

3. Certification: Certification in healthcare quality or performance improvement (e.g., CPHQ, Lean Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt, CPPS) preferred.

4. Years of relevant experience: Five (5) years of relevant healthcare quality, performance improvement, or clinical inquiry experience.

5. Years of supervisory experience: None

Full Time

FTE: 1.000000

Status: Onsite