The Patient Safety Officer is accountable for supporting the patient safety program of VCU Health System. This includes supporting the Patient Safety Evaluation System activities, including the management of Patient Safety Work Product (PSWP).
The Patient Safety Officer supports the organization in the Serious Safety Event Investigation and Response. This position conducts pro-active and reactive risk assessments and analyses to include Root Cause Analysis, Apparent Cause Analysis, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Common Cause Analysis, and Barrier Analysis.
The Patient Safety Officer works with providers and leadership to improve processes to reduce frequency and severity of undesirable events or trends in patient care.
The Patient Safety Officer acts as the subject matter expert in high reliability by reviewing process design to ensure the principles of high reliability will be incorporated into daily operations.
The Patient Safety Officer engages leadership and providers across the organization in our efforts to achieve zero preventable harm.
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire:
Current license in the Commonwealth of Virginia (e.g. Registered Nurse, Pharmacist, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietitian or similar) if candidate holds a professional license
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality preferred
Certified Professional in Patient Safety preferred
Certified Project Manager preferred
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment:
Current license by the Commonwealth of Virginia is required if incumbent holds a professional license
Experience REQUIRED:
Minimum of two (2) years of work experience in the healthcare environment which may include hospital or clinic setting with specific experience in the following areas
Position requires knowledge of medical care process, medical procedures, and terminology;
Work requires previous training and/or experience in a patient safety or quality/performance improvement related field;
Strong problem solving, project management, facilitation and teamwork skills;
Leadership (formal or informal) in a healthcare organization;
Ability to effectively communicate with others, both written and oral, in a formal and highly professional manner;
Collecting, organizing and analyzing data;
Previous experience using a personal computer and software application to include the Internet, e-mail, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and graphics;
Experience PREFERRED:
3-5 years of experience with organization-wide patient safety programs and/or quality/performance improvement program.
Coordinating projects in an academic medical center with a wide variety of services, including ambulatory care, home care, emergency care, critical care, and inpatient care.
Previous experience using mapping/flowcharting software and working with databases (e.g. Access, Visio).
Demonstrated ability to provide direction, leadership and training to staff..
Education/training REQUIRED:
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related clinical or academic field
Education/training PREFERRED:
Master's Degree in healthcare field (e.g. MSHA, MPH, MSN, MHA), Quality Engineering, Business Administration, or related field strongly preferred
Fellowship in Patient Safety
Supplemental course work in patient safety such as cause analysis methodologies/tools and data analysis
Independent action(s) required:
Think independently, organize, plan and make decisions. Communicate effectively which includes verbal, nonverbal, as well as listening skills. Create project timelines, identify milestones and track project progress. Facilitate groups and teams effectively and promote the VCUHS Health System performance improvement processes, utilizing proven PI tools and methods. Design and complete data analysis methodology accurately. Consistently function as a role model and maintain positive interactions with all customers, colleagues, supervisors and team members. Actively engage in professional activities. Verbalize knowledge of local, federal and state laws and regulations as well as TJC standards related to their position's chief objective. Interpret standards and regulations related to their area of focus. Demonstrate aptitude for compliance with VCUHS policies, procedures and customer service philosophy. Collaborate with project and program leaders to achieve goals. Create progress reports.
Supervisory responsibilities (if applicable): N/A
Additional position requirements: N/A
Age Specific groups served: N/A
Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
Physical: Lifting less than 20 lbs.
Activities: Prolonged sitting, Walking (distance), Repetitive motion
Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Able to adapt to frequent change
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.
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Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems
Oct 16, 2025