Toronto, Ontario Health Quality Ontario
Health Quality Ontario (HQO) is the provincial advisor on the quality of health care in Ontario, evaluating the effectiveness of health care technologies and services, providing evidence-based recommendations, reporting to the public on the quality of the health system, and supporting the spread of quality improvement throughout the system.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As a member of the IDEAS (Improving and Driving Excellence Across Sectors) team, the QI Specialist plays a critical role in building QI capacity within and across the system. In addition to contributing to program planning and delivery, the QI Specialist is responsible for coaching teams enrolled in the IDEAS Advanced Learning Program, successfully applying classroom learning to specific improvement projects from design through to implementation. The QI Specialist is also responsible for teaching in-class sessions and leading elements of the program. Another key responsibility of the QI Specialist is supporting the development and implementation of the Alumni strategy to ensure graduates continue to be connected, supported and engaged. Activities include ongoing consultation, creation and delivery of learning sessions through methods such as webinars, the annual Alumni Event and facilitating regional sessions. The QI Specialist works in collaboration with IDEAS partners and the QI branch to promote alignment for greater impact.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO DO?
IDEAS Participant Coaching:
Assesses IDEAS participants’ and teams’ readiness for improvement work, change
Assists the IDEAS participants and teams to establish the structures and processes necessary to do the improvement work, including confirmation of goals, planning for data collection, identification of a team and creation of a QI project plan
Builds confidence in the participants’ capacity for QI work by acting as a sounding board, incorporating the human component of change management and facilitating learning conversations to constructively address problems and barriers
Supports the building of the participants’ team’s capacity by enhancing participant education related to QI
Provides/facilitates virtual and on-site coaching, mentorship, and appropriate training to advanced applied program participants and, where appropriate, project teams
Determines the coaching schedule and method including virtual and onsite, in collaboration with assigned participants, hinging decisions on needs, preferences and capacity
Tailors the coaching approach on a case-by-case basis so that the assigned project participants can optimize the use of available resources relative to their improvement work
Integrates and applies appropriate QI methodology, tools and processes based on needs of the program participant and project team
Supports the engagement of team members and partners in improvement work
Monitors project progress, identifies risks and escalates as appropriate
Facilitates inter-team sharing to leverage change across the system and between sectors
Supports the gathering and interpreting of data, monitoring progress and presenting feedback to the team on their performance
· Provides feedback to IDEAS Faculty related to the alignment of curriculum delivery and project activity and participates, as time permits, in other activities to strengthen the IDEAS program e.g. curriculum sessions, review
Development and Implementation of Alumni Program:
Contributes to the development and implementation of the Alumni Program
Designs and delivers webinars for the ongoing support of Alumni
Maintains relationships with teams post graduation to encourage their ongoing participation and engagement
Participates in the planning and delivery of the annual Alumni Event
Facilities networking between participants and the sharing of information
Mentors graduates in taking on opportunities to further develop and share knowledge e.g. present at conferences, give workshops, mentor a team
Collaborates with colleagues in the QI branch to align efforts and link Alumni to QI strategies
Promotion of Evidence-based Practice and Innovation:
Develops and maintains relationships with subject matter experts and key stakeholders regarding IDEAS and related priority topics (e.g. readmission to hospital, transitions of care, evidence-based clinical guidelines, etc.) to obtain expertise, collaborate on efforts and/or provide the necessary content and evidence to inform IDEAS program development
Facilitates development and/or delivery of evidence-based practice, protocols including QI tools, resources, learning curriculum, topic materials, web-based tools and related resources to build capacity and drive quality improvement across the health care system in Ontario
Uses available technologies and approaches to collect and exchange information with individuals and groups including paper-based documents and reports, emailing, teleconferencing, web and video-based conferencing, and social networking options such as discussion forums and blogs
Uses knowledge of evidence-based practices at both a national and international level to bring forward new ideas and contribute to the design, testing, refinement and sharing of new tools and resources to support IDEAS and its participants
Supports teams to create or adapt innovative solutions that will positively impact processes or systems
Program Planning:
Participates as a member of the selection committee to screen applications
Conducts assessment interviews with applicants and Executive Sponsors
Participates in program planning retreats to review and update the overall IDEAS program
Leads aspects of the classroom and graduation sessions
Provides leadership of program elements e.g. learning platform, coaching model, shareIDEAS
Contributes to data collection for Program Evaluation
Relationship Management:
Collaborates and consults with HQO colleagues, IDEAS program staff and Faculty and others to exchange knowledge and resources, share challenges and solutions, and develop and test resources in order to be responsive to changes and needs of the IDEAS participants as well as the health care system or sector(s)
Contributes to communications to ensure partners and stakeholders are appropriately kept apprised of project activities, updates to materials including legislative or governmental reporting requirements
Establishes and maintains trusting, professional relationships with key members of the IDEAS program, participants and sector partners
HOW DO I QUALIFY?
To be considered for this opportunity, you will have:Education:
Undergraduate degree, preferably in a health discipline, related social science or industrial engineering
Master’s degree in a health related discipline, health administration, public administration or similar is an asset
Experience:
3+ years’ facilitation and coaching experience working with clinical teams/organizations and executive leaders such that the incumbent is proficient in these areas and familiar with the health care system
5+ years of related work experience including experience as a participant and leader in health care quality improvement initiatives
Technical Skills:
Certification or training in quality improvement, LEAN or Six Sigma (e.g., Institute for Healthcare Improvement – Improvement Advisor; IHI Primary Care Practice Coach; Green Belt, Black Belt in Six Sigma) IDEAS Advanced Program
Project management training or certification
Certification in facilitation (e.g., International Association of Facilitators Certified Professional Facilitator); change management
Key Competencies:
Expert knowledge and skills related to the application of QI methodology and tools in a health care setting
Proficient and appropriate use of concepts contained in IDEAS advanced applied curriculum
Excellent facilitative and interpersonal skills and knowledge
Systems thinker and use of coaching and facilitation skills effectively in the application of change theory
Ability to use a variety of influence styles and tactics appropriate to the context to influence thinking, attitudes and behaviours
Ability to understand and process complex issues, systems and interconnectedness of the Ontario health care system
Anticipates obstacles, uses logic to make conclusions and develops an appropriate course of action
Knowledge of all sectors of the health system
Focuses efforts on achieving high quality results consistent with the IDEAS participant/sponsor organization’s standards
Excellent relationship management skills and the ability to work with IDEAS participants and key stakeholders to identify their expectations and shared objectives
Expertise in team dynamics including ability to mentor participants in successful team management
Knowledge of evidence-based practices nationally and internationally
Project management knowledge and skills
Use of data to drive improvement – analysing and reporting data
Location: Toronto, ON
Status: 1 Regular Full-time
Qualified applicants are invited to submit a covering letter and resume to HQORes@hqontario.ca by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016, quoting competition number 2016-097 as well as their name. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Health Quality Ontario is committed to meeting the needs of all individuals in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Should you require accommodations during the recruitment and selection process, please contact Human Resources.
For additional information on Health Quality Ontario, please visit our website at www.hqontario.ca.