Quality Improvement Specialist (Project Manager)

Come join our team and become part of what the Boston Globe has recognized as one of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts 2018 - 2023! 

Saving lives through organ and tissue donation is the mission uniting our employees and drives the work we do. 

New England Donor Services (NEDS) coordinates organ and tissue donation in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, the eastern counties of Vermont and Bermuda. Responsible for one of the largest of the 56 Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) that make up the nation's donation system, NEDS works with over 200 hospitals and serves 14 million people in our region, screening nearly 55,000 potential donor referrals annually. With approximately $110M in operating revenues, NEDS employs 300 clinical and non-clinical staff members throughout New England and across the country.

Our vision is to be a leader in the development and implementation of strategies to increase the life-saving and life-enhancing gifts of organ and tissue donation through effective relationships with our clinical partners, donor families and the communities we serve.

The Quality Improvement (QI) Specialist is a key member of the Quality Systems Department. This individual supports the implementation of the NEDS Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Plan and manages QI/Process Improvement (PI) initiatives, ensuring that they are designed and implemented in alignment with the organization's overall strategy and goals. The role reports to the Director, QI.

Project Management and Quality/Process Improvement:

• Coordinates the design and implementation of multiple QI/PI projects. This includes developing project plans, coordinating stakeholders, managing timelines, tracking and communicating project status, and ensuring initiatives have clear aims and measurement strategies.
• Participates in the NEDS Process Improvement Committee to conduct impact assessments on QI/PI projects, communicate updates, and manage organizational impact of changes.
• Navigates NEDS systems and stakeholders to move projects forward and resolve issues.
• Employs the use of Quality tools and methodologies to facilitate improvement.
• Works with QI Manager and QI Director to continuously improve systems and structures for project management, change management, and quality/process improvement at NEDS.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the regulations and standards that apply to organ and tissue recovery.
• Supports change management by working closely with QI Manager and Manager of Policy and Procedure Systems on development and control of documents.
• Develops and utilizes the technology needed to support change management and quality programs.
• Promotes a culture of quality throughout the organization.  
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Communication & Collaboration:

• Collaborates with the Quality Systems Department team to support implementation of the NEDS Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Plan.
• Collaborate with other departments including Organ Donation Services, Tissue Donation Services and their respective education departments (Education Learning & Advancement and Education & Development) as well as IT, Finance, and HR to identify and implement improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a standing member of the Process Improvement Committee and Project Governance Committee.
• As needed, support Quality Assurance and Safety activities such as quality event management, root cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions, and internal and external audits and integrate findings with QI.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage complex workflows involving multiple stakeholders.  Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, and meet project deadlines.
• Quality Improvement and Quality Tools: Knowledge of and ability to utilize Quality tools and methodologies to drive improvement, and interest in continuing to build these skills.
• Data Analysis: ability to collect, analyze, and present data, especially for the purposes of tracking progress toward project goals.
• Computer & Application Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, SharePoint, VISIO and PowerPoint.
• Time Management Skills: Ability to work productively both independently and as a team participant with accountability to all other team members for meeting agreed upon objectives. Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines. Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage a complex workload and effectively prioritize tasks and projects.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Exhibits enthusiasm toward, and supports others in the achievement of NEDS's mission in a positive manner. Demonstrates a high degree of service and support to both external and internal customers. Ability to foster a collaborative team environment and model NEDS' Standards of Behavior.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate degree or Bachelor's degree preferred
• 1-2 years experience in project coordination/management, quality management, and/or Quality Improvement preferred.

This is a hybrid role with travel to the Waltham, MA office 2-3 days a week. 

What You'll Be a Part Of:

You will be part of a team that supports the NEDS mission, to Save and Heal Lives, through the gift of Organ and Tissue Donation.  As an NEDS employee, our benefits include:

• Generous paid time-off program
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Mental Health insurance coverage
• Pet Insurance
• 2x Annual Salary Life Insurance
• Flex Spending Account Options
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Organizational Contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Working Advantage discounts Program.
• Personal career and skill development opportunities

HIRING ALERT: NEDS is actively taking precautions to protect our community, staff and partners during this time of medical emergency due to COVID-19. In order to be employed at NEDS, you must be vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. 

When you join New England Donor Services, you can expect competitive salaries and a great benefit package. Benefits include BCBS Health Insurance, BCBS Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance,1x Annual Salary Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, Short-term Disability Coverage, Long-term Disability Coverage, Long-term Care Coverage, 403b Retirement Contribution, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program, Discounts through Working Advantage and a generous Paid Time-off Program.

New England Donor Services is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diverse candidates to apply to meet the needs of the multicultural and multilingual communities we serve.