Emergency Quality Leader, Emergency Department

The Opportunity

The Emergency Department Quality Lead (EDQL) position reports to the Manager, Emergency Department.  The EDQL has leadership accountability for the development, implementation, and evaluation of quality initiatives that impact emergency care delivery and service provision within the Emergency Department.  The EDQL collaborates with quality leaders, physicians, and interprofessional teams across IWK Health to enhance the quality, safety, efficiency, and patient experience of the Emergency Department services.

THE EDQL promotes fundamental improvements to quality practices, supporting excellence in patient care and operation performance. This position supports the achievement of IWK Health’s Strategic Plan and operational goals. Under the direction of the Emergency Department Leadership, the EDQL works collaboratively with interprofessional teams to guide, implement, and evaluate process improvements the support quality, patient safety, and continuous quality improvement.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Develops, implements, and leads Emergency Department quality improvement initiatives, including identification of quality performance indicators, benchmarks, auditing, data management, and facilitating resulting in clinical practice and operational changes.
• Supports continuous quality improvement activities focused on patient safety, patient flow, access to care, resource utilization, operational efficiency, and patient and family experience. 
• Collaborates with Emergency Department leadership, physicians, educators, and interprofessional team members to identify quality improvement opportunities and implement sustainable solutions.
• Supports the development, monitoring, and reporting of key performance indicators, accreditation standards, patient safety metrics, and quality dashboards.
• Participates in patient safety reviews, incident investigations, risk mitigation strategies, and the development of action plans to improve patient outcomes.
• Provides leadership, coaching, and mentorship to staff and teams in quality improvement principles, project implementation, and evaluation.
• Assists in the development, review, implementation, and evaluation of Emergency Department policies, procedures, and clinical practice guidelines.
• Collaborates with organizational quality, patient safety, infection prevention and control, accreditation, clinical program teams to align quality initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Supports research, innovation, and evidence-informed practice initiatives that advance Emergency Department care.
  
  

Hours of Work

7.5h shifts; Monday – Friday 0800 – 1600h

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing required. Commensurate experience and education will be considered.                                                                   
• Eligible for registration with Nova Scotia College of Nurses required.
• BLS-C (HCP) Certification required.  
• Minimum of five years' recent Emergency Department experience required. Pediatric Emergency Department experience preferred. 
• Recent experience in Quality Improvement, patient safety, project leadership, or healthcare operations is considered an asset.
• Completion of Rapid Cycle and Process Improvement, LEAN in Healthcare environments and/or risk management training preferred. 
• Skilled in adult learning principles and coaching approaches.
• Experience leading quality improvement projects and managing complex processes.  
• Demonstrated understanding of quality frameworks, patient safety principles, accreditation standards, and healthcare quality systems. 
• Strong knowledge of Emergency Department operation, patient flow principles, emergency care processes, and patient populations. 
• Demonstrates the ability to apply, coach, and mentor others in continuous quality improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrates a high degree of independent decision-making, innovation, self-direction, motivation, change management, team building and leadership skills.
• Excellent project management, facilitation, and coaching skills with the ability to transfer knowledge and skill across interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong presentation, date interpretation, and group facilitation skills.  
• Proficient in data analysis, quality reporting, and the use of quality improvement tools and methodologies.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and evaluation skills.
• Experience in information management and demonstrated computer skills.                                            
• Skills in operational and strategic planning.