The Quality Improvement Coordinator is responsible for coordinating Quality Improvement activities surrounding UCLA Medical Group patients. The key responsibilities include identification of interactions with patients for completion of gaps in care/preventive health measures, non-clinical QI studies, health system navigation, patient advocacy and linkage to resources, and longitudinal care delivery. Quality Improvement Coordinators centrally support the outpatient clinics and work as an extension of the trusted clinician to manage projects for overall population health management. Work is assigned through reporting registries (ACO, EHR). Quality Improvement Coordinators report to the Manager of Quality Management and receive guidance from the Quality Improvement Nurse Specialists (RN and LVN). They must work collaboratively with the clinic physicians, office staff, and managers to promote patient care.
Key Responsibilities include:
Ensuring care coordination during outreach to patients; review health record in its entirety to educate/coach patient on care plan, help patient complete and schedule any outstanding referrals, and connect patient to care team members
Review of health maintenance and other databases to identify completion of gaps in care. Review any outstanding care plans and orders/referrals.
Referral review (including home health, DME, specialty, testing)
Schedule and coordinate follow-up appointments with specialists and primary care. Also, educate patients on alternate sites of care including Urgent Cares and same day appointment availability.
Coordinate care plans with outside providers
Send mailings/letters to patients to encourage follow-up and compliance with gaps in care
Document telephone conversations, email exchanges, in-person conversations accurately, appropriately, and in a timely manner in the electronic health record
Work with payor/plans to facilitate referrals and prior authorizations for urgent services
Provide support to Care Team by identifying key patient issues and works with Manager of Quality Management, Clinical Advisors, Providers, and Practice Managers to develop action plans and implementing action plans
Assist in development of forms/processes related to clinical activities that will help the care team maintain consistency in providing a high level and efficient level of clinical service for the identified patient
Assist in development of educational materials for patients and staff -which may include development of materials, handouts, forms, etc
Assist in conducting operational assessments including observational analysis, document review and data collection. Provide recommendations for change in operations as appropriate
Additional duties included
Salary Range: $34.37 - $47.31 Hourly
Qualifications
High School Degree/GED and/or equivalent years of experience
Minimum of 2 years of experience in a quality improvement role required
Experience working in an ambulatory setting.
Knowledge of Medical Terminology.
Experience with monitoring and completing preventive health measures, gaps in care. Experience with managed care/HMO products and pay for performance.
Writing skills to compose, edit and proofread routine clinical and business correspondence using appropriate English grammar, syntax, spelling and punctuation. Accuracy in message relay.
Oral communication skills to speak with individuals of varying backgrounds to obtain and convey specific information.
Proven ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with physicians, staff, patients, and administrative personnel in an environment where communication is virtual (not in person).
Proven ability to critically think through complex situations by independently analyzing information or problems, identifying relevant factors, developing trends, and outlining/prioritizing options to implement and monitor solutions.
Proven ability to perform basic mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
Demonstrated skill in independently organizing and prioritizing workload to meet deadlines in light of changing, heavy workload and competing requirements.
Proven ability to perform job duties quickly and multitask in a detailed and accurate manner in a fast-paced environment.
Proven ability to maintain helpful, caring, and courteous relationships with leadership, patients, co-workers, and physicians. Experience encouraging patients to follow-through on clinical recommendations.
Working knowledge of community resources. Experience collaborating with leadership and escalating issues in a timely manner for communal decision-making and feedback.
At UCLA Health, you can help heal humankind, one patient at a time by improving health, alleviating suffering and delivering acts of kindness. As you do, you’ll achieve great things in your life and your career. We’re a world-class health organization with four hospitals consistently recognized among the nation’s very best as well as an internationally-renowned medical school, primary and specialty care clinics and much more. Within our dynamic, innovative and growing organization, you’ll find exceptional opportunities to make the most of your abilities in a supportive, empowering and inclusive environment. If you embrace our values of Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence and Discovery we invite you to see all you can accomplish at UCLA Health.