JOB SUMMARY
The Chief Quality Officer will lead the quality and safety strategy across the network, ensuring integration with Highmark Health’s enterprise-wide quality initiatives and alignment with the Living Health Clinical Model. Reporting to both the Chief Medical Officer of AHN and the Chief Medical & Clinical Transformation Officer of Highmark Health, the Chief Quality Officer will be a key driver of continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence in patient care. This role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders to integrate quality metrics across clinical programs, data analytics, value-based reimbursement (VBR) agreements, regulatory mandates, and institute-specific care models.
The incumbent will be expected to be a practicing physician and as such will have a portion of their time (10%) devoted to clinical work.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and execute AHN’s quality and safety strategy in alignment with Highmark Health’s enterprise quality strategy and the Living Health Clinical Model.
Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of quality improvement programs aligned with regulatory requirements, and AHN’s strategic goals.
Integrate quality initiatives across AHN’s clinical programs, ensuring consistency and impact across all facilities.
Lead the adoption of evidence-based practices and innovation to improve patient care and outcomes.
Foster a culture of quality throughout AHN, fostering a commitment to continuous improvement and patient safety.
Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, including those set by The Joint Commission, CMS, and state health departments.
Monitor key quality and safety metrics, driving standardization and performance improvement through data-driven decision-making and accountability.
Collaborate closely with Highmark Health’s Chief Medical & Clinical Transformation Officer and enterprise quality leadership to ensure seamless integration of AHN’s quality strategies with broader enterprise initiatives.
Collaborate with key stakeholders, including physicians, nurses, administrators, and other healthcare professionals, both within AHN and across Highmark Health, to drive quality improvement efforts.
Work with Highmark Health’s data and analytics team to leverage predictive analytics, creating a streamlined and actionable reporting structure that reflects integrated strategic and regulatory requirements.
Partner with PPWPA’s Clinically Integrated Network leadership to incorporate appropriate quality metrics and strategies across all of AHN’s value-based reimbursement (VBR) agreements.
Collaborate with AHN’s institute chairs and hospital chief medical officers to integrate quality metrics and strategies across institute and hospital sites of care, consistent with the Living Health Clinical Model
Drive innovation in quality improvement to achieve positive health outcomes through the adoption of new technologies, digital tools, and advanced analytics to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
Coordinate with digital transformation teams to integrate AI and other advanced technologies into quality improvement initiatives.
Stay abreast of emerging trends in quality improvement and heath delivery.
Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of quality professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
Oversee recruitment, retention, and development efforts for top talent in quality and safety roles across AHN.
Serve as a mentor and coach to emerging leaders within the organization.
Collaborate with academic institutions to support research and education in quality improvement and patient safety.
Represent AHN in the community, building strong relationships with key stakeholders and advocating for the health and well-being of the population served.
Represent AHN at local, regional, and national forums, advocating for the organization’s mission and vision, particularly in the context of delivering high quality patient care and safety
EXPERIENCE
Required
Minimum of ten years of progressive leadership experience overseeing quality and safety in a large, integrated healthcare system or academic medical center.
Proven track record of leading quality improvement initiatives with a focus on integration across multiple sites or systems.
Extensive experience with quality improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or other performance improvement frameworks.
Demonstrate a commitment to patient safety and a deep understanding of relevant regulations and standards.
Extensive knowledge of regulatory requirements, healthcare quality standards, and performance improvement methodologies.
Preferred
None
SKILLS
Passionate and visionary leader with excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse teams.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with physicians, staff, and stakeholders across different departments and organizations, fostering a collaborative, trusting, transparent, and inclusive environment.
Serve as a change agent to strengthen a culture of quality, safety and value throughout the organization.
Proven ability to influence and persuade others, demonstrating effective communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to build consensus and drive action.
Proficiency in data collection, analysis, predictive analytics and reporting to drive quality improvement initiatives.
A commitment to serving others and putting the needs of patients, the organization, and its stakeholders first, demonstrating a genuine desire to empower and support others.
Strong understanding of healthcare finance, the integration of clinical and payer strategies, and the ability to lead complex integration efforts across clinical models and population health.
EDUCATION
Required
MD or DO degree with board certification in a relevant specialty
Preferred
Advanced degrees (MBA, MPH, MMM, etc.) are highly desirable.
LICENSES or CERTIFICATIONS
Required
Medical License to practice medicine in Pennsylvania
Preferred
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
Language (Other than English):
None
Travel Requirement:
0% - 25%
PHYSICAL, MENTAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS
Position Type
Office- or Remote-based
Teaches / trains others
Occasionally
Travel from the office to various work sites or from site-to-site
Rarely
Works primarily out-of-the office selling products/services (sales employees)
Never
Physical work site required
No
Lifting: up to 10 pounds
Constantly
Lifting: 10 to 25 pounds
Occasionally
Lifting: 25 to 50 pounds
Rarely
Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.
Compliance Requirement: This job adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies.
As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times. In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy.
Furthermore, it is every employee’s responsibility to comply with the company’s Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements.
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