Senior Director, Patient Safety

Job Summary


The Senior Director, Patient Safety provides strategic oversight and leadership in implementing innovative safety measures, analyzing risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Critical skills for this role include strong analytical abilities to assess safety data, exceptional communication skills to lead cross-departmental safety initiatives, and a deep understanding of healthcare compliance standards. Additionally, the role necessitates collaborative skills to work effectively with clinical and administrative teams to foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

***Hybrid role based in Franklin, TN We are open to Remote for applicants who closely match our ideal profile.

Essential Functions

• Retrieves, analyzes and develops data into actionable information from enterprise intelligence tools and patient safety evaluation databases (e.g. Event Reporting System (ERS), Comprehensive Risk Assessment, Clinical Scorecard, etc.), internal and external data sources (e.g. Athena, Premier Quality Performer, etc.), and other report writing software.
• Drives change management strategy across clinical and administrative teams to successfully implement patient safety initiatives, minimize organizational resistance, and foster widespread adoption of high-reliability safety practices. 
• Serves as a key change agent, leading cross-functional teams through complex transformational initiatives aimed at reshaping safety behaviors, strengthening safety culture, and sustaining operational improvements across all facilities. 
• Leads improvement in patient safety outcomes and safety culture as determined by clinical scorecard and employee engagement survey results.
• Supports onsite and virtual CHS PSO, LLC affiliated providers in educating and implementing leadership methods and S.A.F.E. error prevention behaviors, including Safety Coach Programs to support core value of high reliability and safety.
• Tracks and analyzes patient safety performance metrics for affiliated providers to determine opportunities to improve safety performance.
• Acts as Educator in quarterly virtual workshops for new Risk, Quality, and Nursing leaders on CHS PSO operations, Event Reporting, High Reliability and Cause Analysis and providers oversight for CEU Applications (e.g. ASHRM, Nursing).
• Develops and participates in the quarterly Patient Safety Committee, assisting in organizing content from subject matter experts, prepare patient safety work product for evaluation of safety events, trends, and opportunities for improvement, prepares minutes, coordinates meeting logistics with CHS PSO Team.
• Complies with established policies to preserve the confidentiality of patient safety work product (PSWP) prohibiting disclosure or duplication except to persons authorized to receive PSWP including executing a Confidentiality Agreement with the CHS PSO. Where patient safety work product is prepared and/or presented within the organization, labels all information with the CHS PSO, LLC with confidentiality disclaimer.
• Accountable for achieving Safety and Quality strategic targets for serious and precursor safety event rates, patient fall rate reduction and sustainment as measured by a standardized and centralized clinical scorecard.
• Achieves improvement in patient safety outcomes by focusing on a group of underperforming hospitals in areas of preventable and avoidable harm including hospital acquired conditions, patient falls, pressure injuries, wrong site procedures, delay in care, and medication errors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Healthcare or related field required
• 5-7 years of experience in a healthcare patient safety setting required
• 5-7 years of project management experience required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of patient safety principles, high reliability frameworks, and healthcare risk management strategies.
• Demonstrated expertise in process improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean SIx Sigma, PDSA) to analyze clinical workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and drive sustained quality and safety enhancements across facilities. 
• Ability to analyze complex safety and clinical data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Proficiency in using enterprise intelligence tools, patient safety evaluation databases, and report-writing software.
• Strong leadership skills to drive cross-departmental safety initiatives and foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to educate and engage stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, organize content for committees, and oversee meeting logistics effectively.
• Thorough understanding of healthcare regulations, confidentiality requirements, and patient safety work product protections.
• Ability to develop and deliver training programs for healthcare professionals, including continuing education initiatives.
• Collaborative skills to work closely with clinical and administrative teams to improve patient safety outcomes across facilities.

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) required and
• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required
• CPHQ - Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality preferred or
• CPHRM - Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management preferred