Patient Safety Clinical Risk Manager

Primary Purpose
The Patient Safety Clinical Risk Manager oversees patient safety and risk management across the health system, investigating safety events of all harm levels, conducting Cause Analyses, and addressing quality-of-care grievances. They support High Reliability Organization initiatives, participate in and/or lead safety improvement projects, and collaborate with clinical and operational leaders to enhance patient and workforce safety to improve quality outcomes.
Minimum Specification

Education

• Bachelor's degree in nursing, clinical, or healthcare-related field of study from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred Education: Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Risk Management, Patient Safety, Human Factors Engineering, Jurisprudence, Juris Doctor, or a related field of study from an accredited institution.

Experience

• Five years of clinical or healthcare experience in an acute care setting.
• Two years of healthcare risk management and/or patient safety experience in an acute care facility is preferred.
Equivalent Education and/or Experience
• A combination of education and experience in highly complex systems may substitute for years of required work experience.
Certification/Registration/Licensure
• Nursing, clinical or other applicable license/certification is required and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Certification through a nationally recognized accreditation board in either Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) through American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) or Patient Safety (CPPS) through Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is preferred.

Required Tests for Placement
• None
Skills or Special Abilities
• Must be highly organized, self-motivated, and adaptable to high-pressure environments with the ability to pivot and change assignment focus based on needs.
• Must be able to excel at prioritizing tasks, working independently or in teams, and maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and adherence to organizational standards.
• Must demonstrate strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
• Must demonstrate good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Must be able to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Must consistently demonstrate commitment to Parkland Health ICARE Values and support Just Culture and High Reliability principles.
Responsibilities

Risk Management
• Conducts investigations into adverse events, safety posts, and Cause Analyses, ensuring timely escalation of significant issues.
• Leads investigations as defined by The Joint Commission's Sentinel Event policy, The National Quality Forum (NQF), Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) per regulatory standards.
• Maintains expertise in risk management systems and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).
• Assists with disclosure conversations and provides real-time coaching for providers and staff as directed.
• Manages Quality-of-Care grievances, ensuring regulatory compliance and timely resolution.
• Investigates and reports Safe Medical Device Act (SMDA) incidents via reporting platforms, such as MedSun®.

Patient Safety
• Supports High Reliability and Just Culture initiatives to enhance patient safety and the psychological safety of those involved in safety events.
• Assesses, investigates, and trends safety posts, escalating concerns as needed.
• Builds strong relationships with stakeholders, providing education and routine data.
• Conducts regular rounds to engage frontline staff and reinforce shared learnings.
• Leads patient safety initiatives and contributes to program development.
• Ensures compliance with project deadlines and regulatory standards.

Quality of Care Grievances
• Owns grievance investigations from inception to resolution, handling complex and sensitive cases.
• Drafts regulatory-compliant response letters.
• Ensures CMS compliance in grievance management.
• Utilizes complaint management systems to track and resolve grievances efficiently.

Job Accountabilities
1. Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
2. Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
3. Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the area. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.