Population Health Nurse Assistant

Population Health Nurse Assistant

Position Summary

The Population Health Nurse Assistant is an experienced healthcare support position responsible for assisting the QAPI RN with quality improvement, population health, patient outreach, data management, chart review, and performance improvement initiatives.

This position works with a high degree of organization and independence on assigned projects and serves as a key support resource for monitoring quality measures, identifying care gaps, coordinating follow-up, and maintaining accurate QAPI data. The position requires sound judgment regarding prioritization and timely escalation of patient, quality, and safety concerns to the QAPI RN.

The position does not independently perform nursing assessments, diagnose conditions, or make clinical decisions requiring nursing judgment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the QAPI RN in the development, implementation, and monitoring of quality improvement initiatives.
• Independently complete assigned chart reviews, audits, data collection, and quality measure tracking.
• Identify and track patient care gaps, preventive care needs, and opportunities for improved outcomes.
• Conduct patient outreach and coordinate appropriate follow-up activities under the direction of the QAPI RN.
• Maintain accurate population health registries, tracking systems, reports, and electronic records.
• Identify barriers to patient care and assist with connecting patients to appropriate resources.
• Escalate clinical concerns, patient safety issues, or situations requiring nursing judgment to the QAPI RN.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, hospital policies, and applicable regulations.
• Participate in community and population health initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other QAPI and population health responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of healthcare experience, preferably in a hospital, clinic, quality, care coordination, medical records, or population health setting.
• Healthcare-related certification or training; CNA certification preferred/required as determined by the hospital.
• Current BLS certification or ability to obtain.
• Demonstrated experience with electronic health records and computer-based data management.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet established deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise appropriate judgment within established guidelines.

Preferred:

• Experience with quality improvement, patient safety, medical record auditing, or population health.
• Experience with quality measures, registries, care-gap tracking, or performance improvement projects.
• Experience working in a Critical Access Hospital or rural healthcare environment.
• Familiarity with community resources and barriers affecting rural healthcare access.

Key Competencies:

• QualitySafety: Demonstrates commitment to patient safety and continuous improvement.
• DataDetail: Accurately collects, reviews, and maintains quality-related information.
• Organization: Independently manages assigned projects, follow-up, and deadlines.
• Communication: Effectively communicates with patients, staff, providers, and leadership.
• Critical Thinking: Recognizes discrepancies, trends, barriers, and issues requiring escalation.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned responsibilities and follows projects through completion.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with the QAPI RN and interdisciplinary teams.

Scope and Supervision

The Population Health Nurse Assistant works under the direction of the QAPI RN and is expected to independently manage assigned non-clinical and population health responsibilities within established policies and procedures.

The employee will perform only duties consistent with their education, training, competency, hospital policy, and applicable Missouri requirements. Matters requiring nursing assessment, clinical judgment, diagnosis, or intervention will be referred to the QAPI RN or other appropriately licensed healthcare professionals.

Disclaimer: This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected for the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may be modified based on organizational needs, regulatory requirements, and demonstrated competency.