Patient Safety Specialist - RN

• Job Title:

  Patient Safety Specialist - RN

• Req:

  2026-0764

• Location:

  VMC Main Campus

• Department:

  Quality

• Shift:

• Type:

  Full Time

• FTE:

  1

• Hours:

• City State:

  Renton, WA

• Salary Range:

  Min $104,383 - Max $156,575/annual DOE

Job Description:

JOB DESCRIPTION

The position description is a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, and work environment conditions. Position descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization.

TITLE: Patient Safety Specialist

JOB OVERVIEW: The Patient Safety Specialist in the Quality Department is responsible for supporting and facilitating ongoing organization-wide patient safety and related performance improvement activities. This position works closely with clinical and operational leaders in pursuit of high reliability, clinical excellence, and zero preventable patient harm.

DEPARTMENT: Quality Management

HOURS OF WORK: Typically, days Monday - Friday. Some flexibility may be required.

REPORTS TO: Director, High Reliability Initiatives

PREREQUISITES:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing or other health care related field required; master's degree preferred.

• Current unrestricted WA State Registered Nurse license, required.

• Minimum three (3) years of clinical experience in a health care setting.

• Proficiency in cause analysis, safety event classification, human error, and safety science.

• Demonstrated skills for project management, problem solving, decision making, and change management.

• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) or Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent facilitation skills, ability to create an environment that encourages open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.

• Exhibits a genuine connection with frontline staff, offering clear, concise information and supportive feedback.

• Skilled in translating organizational patient safety objectives into actionable tasks.

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

• Experience facilitating Root Cause Analysis and performance improvement teams.

• Proficiency in root cause analysis tools such as fishbone, timeline, 5 whys and action planning.

• Working knowledge of the Press Ganey HPI Safety Event Classification model.

• Knowledge of regulatory standards related to reportable safety events including the National Quality Forum Serious Reportable Events, Department of Health Adverse Events, and The Joint Commission Sentinel Events.

• Ability to prepare effective oral and written reports and presentations to various groups including physicians, hospital leaders and staff.

UNIQUE PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENT AND WORKING CONDITIONS: See Generic Job Description for Administrative Partner.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Generic Job Functions: See Generic Job Description for Administrative Partner.

• Essential Responsibilities and Competencies:

• Assists in planning, coordinating, and implementing VMCs Patient Safety program in collaboration with the Director of High Reliability.

• Clinical review and assessment of patient safety events including investigation, interviews, and analysis.

• Subject matter expert on reporting requirements for DOH Adverse events, The Joint Commission sentinel events, and serious safety events.

• Partners with risk management, peer review, and senior leadership on risk mitigation and appropriate response to serious patient harm events.

• Leads teams in cause analysis and action planning process to identify and mitigate individual and system failure modes.

• Monitors patient safety trends, prepares, and presents annual report on patient safety to quality committees.

• Acts as the Committee Chairperson or Co-chairperson for Quality and/or Patient Safety related committees as assigned.

• Acts as a clinical expert and provides consultation and direction to ensure programs and services are implemented at the highest standards and provides quality and safety guidance in relation to proposed workflow and policy/procedure changes.

• Uses project management skills such as developing communication and presentation materials for leaders, updating senior leadership on status of projects, barriers, and accomplishments, engaging stakeholders, and change management.

• Manages the safety event reporting system including training and education for leaders on event management, appropriate follow-up, and communication with staff about patient safety.

• Teaches TeamSTEPPS course at New Employee Orientation and on request.

• Collaborates with the Regulatory & Compliance Manager to create materials for submission to regulatory bodies as needed.

• Provide education to physicians, organization leaders, and staff regarding patient safety and high reliability strategies and techniques.

• Actively pursues new knowledge and skills, staying abreast of the latest developments in the quality and patient safety field.

• Completes data validation to assist in report development.

• Participates in chart audit and data entry for regulatory, certification, and recognition needs as directed.

• Participates in preparation for regulatory or certification surveys as directed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Revised: 2/21, 7/24

Grade: NC-12

FLSA: E

CC: 8714

Job Qualifications:

PREREQUISITES:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing or other health care related field required; master's degree preferred.

• Current unrestricted WA State Registered Nurse license, required.

• Minimum three (3) years of clinical experience in a health care setting.

• Proficiency in cause analysis, safety event classification, human error, and safety science.

• Demonstrated skills for project management, problem solving, decision making, and change management.

• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) or Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent facilitation skills, ability to create an environment that encourages open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.

• Exhibits a genuine connection with frontline staff, offering clear, concise information and supportive feedback.

• Skilled in translating organizational patient safety objectives into actionable tasks.

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

• Experience facilitating Root Cause Analysis and performance improvement teams.

• Proficiency in root cause analysis tools such as fishbone, timeline, 5 whys and action planning.

• Working knowledge of the Press Ganey HPI Safety Event Classification model.

• Knowledge of regulatory standards related to reportable safety events including the National Quality Forum Serious Reportable Events, Department of Health Adverse Events, and The Joint Commission Sentinel Events.

• Ability to prepare effective oral and written reports and presentations to various groups including physicians, hospital leaders and staff.