Quality Engineer

Company: University of Iowa
Location: Iowa City
Posted on: May 3, 2021

Job Description:

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Central Sterilizing Services is seeking a full-time Quality and Operations Improvement Engineer. The Quality and Operations Improvement Engineer is responsible for: Frontline application and support of quality team. Facilitation, creation, planning, implementation, and sustainment of standardized processes and development of pillars within the quality management system with multidepartment scope and working group participation. Leveraging Lean/ Six Sigma and other quality management system tools and culture with a focus on system wide impact safety, waste, and defect reduction and performance optimization toward the pursuit of department, division and organizational goals. Possible supervision, development, support, and coaching of Quality Coordinator role.

• Facilitation & implementation/ effective change management strategies of quality & process improvement with shared division initiatives.
• Support Quality Team in detail development and application of the quality management system design/ pillar structure.
• Complete risk assessment to assist department in exploring proactive evaluation of risk and preparation planning.
• Partner with Data Analyst in development and production of routine key performance indicator data reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support Quality Team in data collection, analysis, and visualization methods.
• Capture Value Stream Maps for prescribed (IFU) and actual work processes.
• Explore uses of discrete event simulation for low risk concept evaluation.
• Create, implement, and sustain key standardized processes as a portion of assigned Quality Management System Pillars.
• Leverage Lean/ Six Sigma and project management skills/ tools in the facilitation, planning, and implementation of projects in multidisciplinary division improvements.
• Create change management plans for project implementation/ audit system efforts.
• Model and support Quality Coordinator role in creation and implementation of project management concepts and best practice.
• Complete quality management system audits per designed audit cycles.
• Complete variance reports per department policy & procedures and AAMI standards.
• Utilize process audits as a portion of sustainment and standardization of improvement efforts.
• Support department in external inspections.
• Know, support/ educate team members and use AAMI sterilization standards.
• Develop and complete risk assessment and gap analysis facilitation and documentation.
• Supervise, coach, train, model best practices for Quality Coordinator role in quality & Lean/ Six Sigma concepts.
• Partner across the enterprise to educate on sterilization standards and processes.
• Provide real time education of Lean/ Six Sigma and Quality culture and tools as a portion of quality improvement efforts.
• Support CS team in learning to see problems and communicate needs/ barriers to support improvement efforts.
• Utilize CS technicians and operations leaders in development, implementation, and sustainment quality initiatives.
• Partner/ support CS education to support training needs and assist in training for quality initiatives.
• Provide recommendations of needs for application of quality & process improvement initiatives.
• Create cost comparisons and implementation strategies including: Short/ Mid/ Long- Term options.
• Participate as requested in the interview processes for the CS department.
• Participate in human resource and education policy/ procedures as requested.

Schedule: Mostly days Monday-Friday, but flexibility will be needed for all shifts with 24 hour operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience in quality improvement, Lean/ Six Sigma, Central Sterilization Services and/ or related healthcare experience.
• Minimum three years of Quality Assurance, Quality Improvement, Risk Management, or related healthcare experience.
• Proficiency with computer software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Lean and/or Six Sigma certification and/ or education and experience in process improvement, industrial engineering or related field.
• CRCST certification from International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management registry (IAHCSMM) required within two years of hire.
• Previous experience with data collection, interpretation or statistical analysis in order to determine standards and establish key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Experience leading implementation of Quality Management Systems and develop of APQP, Work Instruction, and Policy.
• Previous experience leading collaborative multidisciplinary groups in cross functional systems improvement initiatives.
• Master's degree in a related field.

Application Process: All interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position. P&S positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and education verification.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Qual & Op Improv Engineer
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time

Compensation

• Pay Level: 5A
• Starting Salary Minimum: $50,012
• Starting Salary Maximum: Commensurate

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Callie Henderson
• Contact Email: callie-henderson@uiowa.edu

Keywords: University of Iowa, Iowa City , Quality Engineer, Other , Iowa City, Iowa