Quality Improvement Specialist Registered Nurse

Job Summary

This position is eligible for $5,000.00 retention bonus.

The Providence Center Quality Improvement Specialist Registered Nurse (RN) coordinates and supports the organization's Quality Improvement (QI) and Performance Improvement (PI) programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, payer, accreditation, and licensing requirements. This role promotes high-quality, patient-centered, trauma-informed care by collaborating with leadership and multidisciplinary teams to monitor clinical outcomes, evaluate performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement evidence-based practices that enhance quality, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.

Duties & Responsibilities

Quality Improvement & Performance Management

• Support the organization's Quality Improvement and Performance Improvement programs in accordance with CCBHC standards and organizational quality benchmarks.
• Monitor, analyze, and report key performance indicators (KPIs), clinical outcomes, quality measures, and performance metrics related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Conduct routine chart reviews, documentation audits, and compliance monitoring activities related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Analyze trends from the nursing perspective related to patient care, medication management, incidents, hospitalizations, and service utilization.
• Lead or participate in quality improvement projects utilizing methodologies such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Assist with incident reviews, corrective action planning, and monitoring implementation of improvement initiatives related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Prepare quality reports, dashboards, and presentations for leadership, committees, and regulatory agencies related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Participate in and present at Quality Improvement committees, operational meetings, and other quality-related forums related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.

Clinical Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with CARF, CCBHC, CMS, Medicaid, state licensing, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Monitor adherence to clinical documentation standards, nursing standards, evidence-based practices, and organizational policies.
• Assist quality and nursing leadership with internal and external audits, accreditation surveys, licensing reviews, and site visits.
• Develop and monitor corrective action plans when deficiencies are identified related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.

Residential Program Quality Monitoring

• Evaluate quality, safety, and regulatory compliance within residential treatment programs.
• Collaborate with residential leadership to improve patient outcomes and ensure implementation of nursing standards and residential care protocols.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Collect, validate, and analyze clinical and quality data from electronic health records and reporting systems related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Track quality measures related to nursing, medication, and health outcomes. Identify trends and recommend data-driven improvement strategies in these areas.

Education & Staff Development

• Collaborate with the Nurse Educator and Clinical Training Manager to develop and deliver nursing and medication related education to improve quality, patient safety, documentation, regulatory compliance, and evidence-based practices.
• Support clinical teams in implementing quality initiatives and standardized improvement methodologies related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Attend required training and maintain competency in quality improvement and regulatory practices.
• Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement throughout the organization.

Patient Safety & Risk Management

• Participate in incident review and risk management activities, including review of medication errors, infection prevention concerns, adverse events, and other patient safety issues.
• Collaborate with clinical teams to develop and implement corrective and preventive actions related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Support infection prevention and control initiatives as appropriate.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, case managers, residential staff, and organizational leadership to improve clinical quality and operational performance related to nursing, medical services, and medication practices.
• Facilitate/Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and quality committees as a subject matter expert for nursing and medication practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Required, Master's Degree Preferred; Field of study: Nursing. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) may be considered when combined with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Behavioral Health, Quality Management, or related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of community-based behavioral health nursing experience required.
• Experience in quality improvement, utilization management, compliance, accreditation, or healthcare analytics preferred.
• Experience working within a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) strongly preferred.
• Rhode Island Registered Nurse licensure required.
• Preferred certifications:
  • Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Behavioral Health Quality or Compliance certifications
• Combination of office, outpatient behavioral health clinic, community, and residential treatment settings.
• Frequent interaction with clinical staff, patients, regulatory agencies, and organizational leadership.
• Occasional evening meetings and participation in regulatory surveys may be required.
• Knowledge of CCBHC requirements, behavioral health regulations, and applicable accreditation standards (CARF, CMS, Medicaid, BHDDH).
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and performance measurement.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and data reporting systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently and collaboratively.
• Access to reliable transportation required for travel between locations.

About Us

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, is a trusted, integrated health care organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.