Clinical Support Specialist

Summary: As a Clinical Support Team member, this position provides comprehensive clinical and quality improvement support services for multiple cutting-edge quality improvement registries. These registries include the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP), which studies adult surgical patient populations, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Pediatric (NSQIP Pediatric), which looks at pediatric surgical patient populations, and the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), which examines bariatric surgical patient populations. Furthermore, this role may also assist in developing and supporting additional registries. Clinical Support Specialists frequently collaborate with other ACS Quality Program staff to ensure that the rigorous data collected by these registries reinforce the surgical standards set forth by ACS accreditation and verification programs.
The primary responsibilities of this role are providing daily customer support to clinical chart reviewers, creating online educational content, developing variables and definitions, maintaining program protocols, and performing data validation audits. This role provides guidance and support to participating hospitals to conceive and implement hospital-level quality improvement initiatives. Additionally, this role acts as a liaison to clinical committees and surgical specialty societies and aids in developing new pilot programs and collaboratives.
This exempt position will report to the CQI Clinical Support Team Manager in the Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care.It is based in our Chicago office and is a hybrid role: 3 days per week in the office/2 days per week remote.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides Clinical Support to clinical chart reviewers regarding clinical inquiries, data definitions, and registry functionality. Participates in daily meetings to review clinical inquiries submitted by clinical chart reviewers. Participates in regular meetings with surgeon leadership to discuss complex clinical issues.
• In collaboration with quality verification staff, assists participating hospitals with implementing the program, interpreting reports, and identifying areas for quality improvement. Through customer feedback, identifies improvement opportunities to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the program.
• Reviews and updates the program documents, including variables and definitions, sampling protocol guidance, and additional resources. Develops new variables in collaboration with other clinicians, surgeon leaders, and surgical specialty societies.
• Collaborates with team members to create, update, and deliver educational content, including initial online training modules and annual certification exams. Produces continuing educational material in the form of video podcasts, programmatic conference calls, monthly education questions, and live conference presentations.
• Assists with the successful launch and implementation of new initiatives and programs. Participates in user acceptance testing of technical products related to the registry platform. Acts as a liaison to committees and outside vendors/consultants.
• Conducts data validation audits of participating hospitals to validate the accuracy of the data entered into the registry platforms. Reviews action plans and provides guidance on improving data collection processes based on issues identified during audits.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in nursing or related field required.
• Nursing license required or QI/registry related experience.
• Professional certifications in nursing (such as, CNOR, CCRN) or healthcare quality certifications (such as CPHQ) are a plus but not required.
• Two or more years of related experience required. Experience with electronic medical records (EHR) software, such as EPIC and Cerner, is desired. Prior experience working in quality improvement or clinical research is helpful.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) necessary to effectively interact with all levels of organization.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Must be able to multi-task.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word), and GoToMeeting/Zoom required; Articulate Storyline/E-learning software knowledge a plus.
• Display high level of energy and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to plan and prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with all division teams and management.

Physical/Work Environment: Fast paced with significant people interaction. No lifting over 20 pounds, minimal reaching bending and stooping. Performs work in a normal office environment with long hours in front of the computer.
Other Necessary Requirements: Minimal travel for activities such as out of town meetings is required.
The American College of Surgeons is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruitment@facs.org or call (312) 202-5000 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)