Performance Improvement Specialist - Cardiac - Temporary Full-Time - 2025-13891

Summary of Duties

• The Schulich Heart Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is seeking a Performance Improvement Specialist. This specialist will bring together key clinical leaders and staff to improve performance in the areas of quality, and patient safety. We plan to complement our team with a dynamic individual who possesses quality improvement, systems design and project evaluation expertise. This role will report to the Schulich Program Manager.
   

Specific Responsibilities include:
 

Quality Improvement (QI):

• Facilitates and supports complex cardiac QI initiatives, including Kaizen, 6S events, FMEA, PDSA, metrics development, process and Value Stream Mapping and other Lean tools and methods
• Leads Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), Quality Dashboard and other quality initiatives, action plans and reporting in collaboration with clinical program teams
• Support unit based Quality Boards and Quality Circles, including start-up and ongoing maintenance.
• Examine processes and data, recommend and implement solutions to improve patient care safety, reliability and minimize costs
• Apply a systems-focused approach to achieve optimal results in quality, safety, efficiency and productivity
• Prepare and deliver presentations summarizing project milestones and outcomes, to various committee
• Apply change management principles and coach clinical teams through the change process
• Co-chairing Schulich Quality Council Committee and providing oversight on quality projects

Capacity building/Organizational effectiveness:

• Provides expert level QI knowledge and leads capacity building in QI methodology across the organization to build a culture of sustainable improvement
• Leads and supports the implementation of hospital initiatives including strategic initiatives and Ministry based projects (e.g. Quality Based Procedures, Integrated Funding Model)
• Monitors QI activities, identifies and evaluates root causes for performance shortfalls and gaps, and recommends innovative strategies for improved outcomes
• Continuously advances operational effectiveness through the coaching and training of staff in the use of continuous improvement tools and methodologies
• Facilitates training and education sessions

Collaboration and Performance Improvement within broader health care system:

• Represents SHSC Schulich in conferences by  abstract submissions and presentations
• Supports partners at the local, regional and system level and works on projects to improve quality beyond the hospital
• Supports the development of a coordinated, seamless and integrated health system for our patients
• In collaboration with stakeholders, collects and uses data to measure quality of care improvement outcomes related to patient/staff satisfaction and clinical and financial initiatives

Relationship Management:

• Builds trust with staff and peers through excellence, respect, integrity, compassion, honesty, transparency, professionalism and accountability

Qualifications/Skills:

• Formal Quality Improvement and/or Patient Safety training / certification required
• Lean/six sigma training or certification recommended
• Health-related or Industrial/Process Engineering degree required (Masters degree an asset)
• Minimum 3 – 5 years’ experience in patient safety/quality improvement in a hospital setting preferred
• Experience leading broad-based (e.g. hospital-wide) QI / patient safety initiatives
• Demonstrated experience in project management
• Demonstrated team leadership & conflict resolution skills
• Excellent problem recognition, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Knowledge of hospital organizational structure and processes preferred
• Exercise initiative and good judgment with the ability to multitask and prioritize
• Experience with MS office required
• Experience with databases an asset