Director of Team Performance

Job Description

The Department of Surgery has an outstanding opportunity for a WISH Director of Team Performance to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Division of Healthcare Simulation Science, the WISH Director of Team Performance is responsible for providing strategic leadership for WISH supported enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen teamwork, communication, organizational culture, and patient safety across UW Medicine. The position partners closely with executive, clinical, operational, and educational leaders to identify emerging organizational needs, translate data into strategic priorities, and lead implementation efforts that align healthcare staff with organizational priorities.

Serving as WISH and UW Medicine’s subject matter expert in team performance science, this individual leads the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous evolution of evidence-based programs grounded in TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, psychological safety, and principles of High Reliability Organizations (HROs).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership for Team Performance and Organizational Learning (40%)

• Develop and execute the long-term strategic vision for UW Medicine's Team Performance Program in alignment with WISH's mission and institutional priorities.
• Anticipate emerging organizational needs by evaluating trends in patient safety, workforce engagement, regulatory requirements, healthcare innovation, and quality improvement.
• In collaboration with Patient Safety and Quality leadership, identify system level strategies for improvement based on analysis of organizational data, including safety culture surveys, employee engagement, patient experience metrics, safety event reporting, and operational performance.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to WISH executive and operational leadership regarding organizational culture, teamwork, communication, and system improvement.

Educational Development and Delivery (40%)

• Design, facilitate, and evaluate educational experiences grounded in adult learning theory, implementation science, behavioral change, and evidence-based instructional design.
• Deliver engaging educational programs for executive leaders, physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, residents, students, and interprofessional teams.
• Serve as primary educator and master trainer for internal and external courses.
• Coach leaders and teams through organizational change initiatives using principles of TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, Psychological Safety, and High Reliability Organizations.

Assessment, Outcomes, and Program Evaluation (20%)

• Develop meaningful outcome measures that demonstrate organizational impact beyond learner satisfaction, including behavioral, operational, safety, and cultural metrics.
• Evaluate effectiveness of educational and simulation initiatives using quantitative and qualitative data.
• Identify opportunities for scholarship, research, publications, presentations, and dissemination of innovative team performance practices.
• Partner with trained groups to track utilization and effectiveness of team performance initiatives.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Education, Communications or other relevant
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a healthcare professional or member of a healthcare team in a clinical, healthcare education, or patient care environment, with demonstrated increase of responsibility.

Additional Requirements

• Background or prior experience designing and delivering training content.
• Clinical degree (e.g. RN, MD, PA, NP or related field)
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and confidence with multiple stakeholders
• Ability to quickly assess, prioritize, and track needs across many user groups
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Substantial experience with public speaking/presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and summarize data for ongoing quality improvement

Preferred Qualifications

• TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer
• Experience working with simulation sciences
• Familiarity with technology, including LMS, web-based calendars and scheduling software
• Significant experience in academic healthcare setting, including strong history of excellent working relationships with faculty, administration and front-line staff 
• Just Culture Certification
• Knowledge of High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles and practices

Working Conditions

• Remote working on an occasional basis is permitted, depending upon business needs.
• This position requires the ability to work effectively in a variety of environments, including remote settings and on‑site locations across UW Medicine as needed.
• Occasionally will need to adjust work hours to support early or late training sessions, consultations, or simulation activities.
• The role involves transporting and setting up equipment for training or simulation activities and requires the ability to move throughout hospitals, clinics, classrooms, simulation centers, and other UW Medicine locations.
• Must be able to travel between UW Medicine sites when required.
• Very occasional out-of-town travel may be necessary (e.g., attend a professional meeting).

About the Team

The Department of Surgery is a large department within the School of Medicine, with surgeons practicing at all our locations and in eight surgical subspecialties. The UW Department of Surgery is guided by our mission of providing compassionate and high-quality patient care, training future generations of surgical leaders, and conducting research in a collegial environment that embraces diversity and promotes inclusiveness. 

The WWAMI Institute for Simulation in Healthcare (WISH) is UW Medicine's center for simulation-based education, team training, and healthcare systems improvement. WISH partners with leaders across the organization to advance patient safety, teamwork, communication, and organizational reliability through innovative educational and performance improvement programs.

As the home of UW Medicine's enterprise Team Performance Program, WISH is leading a system-wide effort to strengthen team effectiveness and collaborative practice across clinical settings, helping to improve both patient outcomes and workforce engagement.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$132,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$168,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.