Senior Director, Rural Quality Improvement
About the Organization
The Foundation for Healthy Communities collaborates with hospitals, community partners, state departments and insurers on statewide initiatives that improve the health and health care for all New Hampshire residents and their families.
The Foundation for Healthy Communities (FHC) is a non-profit organization that works statewide to improve health and healthcare through innovative partnerships with both individuals and organizations. Founded in 1968 as an education and research organization for the New Hampshire Hospital Association (NHHA), the Foundation was reorganized in 1995 to meet the needs of a changing healthcare system. The Foundation is led by a board of directors with a broad range of expertise which guides its strategic and programmatic efforts. Today, the Foundation is a partnership between New Hampshire hospitals, health plans, home care agencies, community organization and other healthcare stakeholders focusing on quality of care, access to health services, and prevention as the major priorities of work, aligning with the Foundation’s mission of improving total population health for all communities.
In its work with partners statewide, the Foundation’s key objectives are to improve total population health by promoting innovative, high value quality practices within organizations and communities; to lead change strategies that educate, create and sustain healthier communities and make the healthy choice the easy choice; and to promote access to affordable health care and resources that support the well-being of all people.
About the Job
Position Description
Title: Senior Director, Rural Quality Improvement
Reports to: Vice President, Quality Improvement
Job Summary:
Provide leadership and support in the areas of quality, patient safety and performance improvement, and regulatory technical assistance to critical access (CAH) and rural hospitals in New Hampshire. Support the implementation of statewide strategies to advance the quality performance of all hospitals.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
• Serve as a subject matter expert to CAHs on issues of quality, regulations, and rural health care matters.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of CMS regulations, rules, and interpretive guidelines on issues impacting CAHs and assist CAHs with survey readiness by facilitating mock survey reviews, provide evaluation of current practices, and provide recommendations for improvement and compliance.
• Provide onsite technical support to CAHs during surveys.
• Provide support to hospital based rural health clinics.
• Represent FHC and the New Hampshire Hospital Association in statewide quality improvement groups.
• Facilitate the CAH Peer Review Network and recruit reviewing providers as needed.
• Convene and support the Rural Health Coalition, comprised of the CEOs of CAHs and other parties as appropriate.
• Maintain strong relationships with all partners and facilitate collaboration among constituents.
• Collaborate with FHC colleagues to jointly advance FHC programs and initiatives.
• Manage state, federal, and/or other grant opportunities to improve rural health care in NH.
Required Skills/Abilities:
• Expertise in quality improvement/quality assurance models.
• Expertise in hospital quality improvement department goals, metrics, and strategies.
• Proficiency in rural health and health care issues, particularly those unique to rural hospitals.
• Excellent facilitation and collaborative management skills.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Understanding of CMS, DNV, Joint Commission, and other health care regulating entities.
• Understanding and appreciation for the culture of rural New Hampshire and the North Country.
• Ability to work in a diverse team with competing priorities.
• A commitment to health equity.
Education and Experience:
• Master’s Degree preferred in health care related field.
• 5- 10 years’ experience in quality improvement or rural health care
Physical Requirements:
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to drive a motor vehicle for occasional travel.
• Occasional support of office environment could include lifting up to 20 pounds, ascending/descending ladders and moving equipment.
Travel Requirements:
• Travel may include in-state and out-of-state locations with occasional overnights, frequency of which may vary depending on job requirements.
Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Interested candidates may submit a cover letter and resume to Jackie Derosia at jderosia@nhha.org.