Director of Quality Improvement

POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Health Information Systems and Quality Improvement serves as a transformational leader responsible for advancing NAHC's healthy equity, quality of service, safety, experience, and affordability initiatives across all clinical service lines. This executive position leads continuous quality improvement efforts while providing comprehensive oversight of the Health Information Systems (HIS) team. The role encompasses strategic direction of all clinical departments (medical, dental, and behavioral health) and management of NAHC's integrated health information systems (Epic, Dentrix, Relevant, WellApp text, etc.), ensuring excellence in care delivery for NAHC Members and the communities we serve. This position is crucial in advancing the organization's mission of providing exceptional care to underserved populations while meeting NAHC’s requirements and quality benchmarks.

The Native American Health Center is an accredited institution and adheres to the standards of excellence set forth by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Quality Improvement Leadership
1. Provide executive leadership in quality improvement strategies across medical, dental, and behavioral health departments
2. Lead organization-wide quality improvement initiatives to enhance clinical care, patient safety, member experience, and operational efficiency
3. Redesign and direct the Health Information Systems (HIS) team to optimize performance and drive innovation
4. Partner with agency executives and directors to ensure data integrity, utilization, and reporting excellence
5. Drive affordability initiatives while maintaining highest quality standards
6. Development and implementation of value-based care initiatives and quality improvement incentive programs
7. Establish and manage strategic partnerships with external healthcare entities
8. Oversee quality-based contractual requirements with health plans
9. Drive innovation in care delivery models and technology integration
10. Lead change management initiatives across the organization

Health Information Systems Management
1. Oversee comprehensive management of all NAHC health information systems: Epic Electronic Health Record, Dentrix dental management system, Relevant data analytics platform, WellApp text communication system, and Additional clinical and operational systems
2. Direct system integrations, upgrades, and optimizations
3. Lead technical innovation initiatives to enhance care delivery
4. Support agency-wide reporting needs through advanced programming in SQL, Relevant, and other languages

Quality Improvement and Performance Excellence
1. Process Improvement: They focus on identifying areas for improvement within healthcare services (e.g., patient care processes, clinical workflows, clinical administrative procedures) and guide teams in optimizing those processes.
2. Design, implement and monitor comprehensive quality improvement programs
3. Lead quality assurance initiatives across all clinical departments
4. Direct patient safety and risk management programs
5. Manage performance improvement projects and outcomes measurement
6. Manage quality-based incentive programs and pay-for-performance initiatives

Data Analytics and Reporting
1. Ensure data integrity across all health information systems
2. Direct development of clinical and operational dashboards
3. Lead predictive analytics initiatives
Oversee reporting for: UDS requirements, HEDIS measures, Managed care contracts, Grant requirements, and Operational metrics
4. Oversee creation and maintenance of executive dashboards
5. Direct predictive analytics initiatives for population health

Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation
1. Oversee regulatory compliance and accreditation efforts, not limited to HRSA compliance program requirements
2. Lead Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model recognition and maintenance efforts
3. Manage accreditation processes and continuous compliance
4. Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations
5. Oversee quality-related audit responses and improvement plans

Team Leadership
1. Build and develop high-performing HIS and Quality Improvement (QI) teams
2. Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities
3. Model and drive a culture of continuous learning, thus empowering staff for continuous improvements and innovation
4. Direct staff training and competency programs

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
1. Master's degree required in Healthcare Administration, Informatics, Quality Improvement, or related field
2. Minimum 5-7 years progressive leadership experience in healthcare quality improvement
3. Demonstrated expertise in health information systems management
4. Experience with FQHC operations and requirements
5. Strong background in clinical operations and workflow optimization
6. Advanced proficiency in: Epic EHR systems, Dentrix dental management systems, Relevant data analytics, SQL programming, and Experience with telehealth platforms and digital health solutions
7. Experience with patient communication systems
8. Expertise in data visualization and reporting tools
9. Understanding of interoperability standards and requirements
10. Proven track record in leading organizational transformation
11. Excellence in team building and development
12. Strong project management capabilities
13. Superior communication and presentation skills
14. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders
15. Direct staff training and competency programs
16. Lead change management initiatives
17. Develop succession planning for key positions
18. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
19. Deep understanding of FQHC operations and requirements
20. Expertise in quality improvement methodologies
21. Knowledge of healthcare regulatory requirements
22. Understanding of value-based care models
23. Familiarity with population health management
24. Cultural competency in serving diverse populations
25. Knowledge of Indigenous health needs and practices
26. Certifications and Requirements
27. Healthcare quality certification preferred (CPHQ, CPPS)
28. Epic certification desired
29. Project management certification valuable
30. Current BLS/CPR certification required
31. Required immunizations and health screenings

Benefits: Native American Health Center (NAHC) considers our employees to be our most valuable resource and offers an excellent benefit package: competitive salaries, personal time off (PTO) or sick/vacation leave program, and an employer contribution 403(b) retirement plan to full-time regular status employees. We also provide medical, vision, dental, flexible spending, group term and voluntary life insurance coverage for employees and their dependents—with a percentage of employee contribution for dependent medical premiums.
Note to Applicants: Please be advised a post job offer, pre-employment Physical, TB test and Vaccination Clearance are required as a condition of employment. Vaccination Levels: 0 – Limited - require only TB, Physical & Seasonal Flu; 1 – Full Panel with exposure of Blood Borne Pathogens – requires, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, TDAP, Varicella, Hepatitis B, TB, Physical & Season Flu; 2 – Full panel no exposure of Blood Borne Pathogens – requires Measles, Mumps, Rubella, TDAP, Varicella, TB, Physical & Seasonal Flu. Additionally, you may be asked to get a Department of Justice Fingerprinting and/or Federal, State, County criminal background check clearance as a contingency for an offer of employment. Criminal clearances are obtained to protect the welfare and safety of clients receiving services at NAHC.
 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin or other non-merit factors.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): Native American Health Center abides by the mandates of the ADEA (protecting individuals 40 years and older) and considers age a non-merit factor in all employment decisions and considerations.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Native American Health Center abides by the mandates of the ADA and considers disability a non-merit factor in all employment decisions and considerations. Furthermore, NAHC will make any practical, feasible, and reasonable arrangements to accommodate qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.