Program Evaluation Specialist

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan Health System is home to multiple CQIs which seek to address some of the most common, complex, and costly areas of surgical and medical care. With funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). INHALE works collaboratively with physician organizations and their member practices throughout Michigan. Data is collected, analyzed, and shared to identify best practices that lead to improved delivery of care and outcomes, and guide quality improvement interventions for pediatric and adult asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. More information about INHALE can be found at inhalecqi.org.

INHALE is seeking a dynamic, self-starter to join our coordinating center in the role of Program Evaluation Specialist (PES). This role requires you to utilize your expertise, critical thinking skills, and continuous quality improvement experience to help take INHALE to the next level in improving lung health outcomes across Michigan.

Responsibilities*

As the PES, you will play a critical role in supporting and engaging INHALE physicians, nurses, and other members of multidisciplinary teams with strategies to improve lung health (asthma and COPD) and promote guideline-based care for optimal patient outcomes. In collaboration with the INHALE leadership team, you will liaise with the coordinating center staff and the participating physician organizations / practices, acting as the primary point of contact with relation to continuous quality improvement, data, education, and project support. The PES will identify opportunities for improvement at the participant site level and across the collaborative. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Outreach and Engagement 

• Assist participating sites in identifying and implementing quality improvement interventions, including potential countermeasures to improve and track performance, such as hosting webinars, holding 1:1 coaching calls, or conducting in-person site visits across Michigan.
• Develop and maintain relationships across participating physician organizations and practices to support quality improvement engagement and outreach. Coordinate effective communications for participants; respond to questions regarding data and project support.
• Utilize continuous quality improvement expertise to identify best practices for managing asthma and COPD patients to improve patient outcomes.
• Identify drivers and barriers impacting performance and coach teams in developing and implementing targeted QI strategies.
• Assist in INHALE measure development, assessment, and review, and define data analysis policies and procedures.
• Draft educational materials, presentations, quality improvement tools, and manuals for INHALE related activities. Aid in the design and implementation of educational materials and presentations to participants.
• Apply a broad knowledge of data measurement, analysis, interpretation, and performance improvement to support participating sites.
• Facilitate workgroup sessions that provide participants with opportunities to collaborate and share lessons learned.

Data Management and Quality Assurance 

• Provide external support to collaborative sites for quality improvement initiatives, including provision of data reports, relevant literature, educational materials, access to experts, and other resources.
• Facilitate adherence to performance metrics, guiding participation in quality improvement projects.
• Evaluate performance of program participants data review and ongoing communication of program updates and other items of relevance to the program.
• Suggest options for improving quality, identify potential problems, and recommend solutions.
• Collaborate with INHALE team to ensure data elements support quality improvement initiatives, performance initiatives, and develop strategies to improve performance.
• Assist with performance scorecard development
• Assist with developing and maintaining INHALE manuals, user guides, and training modules/presentations.
• Assist INHALE Data Analyst and vendor in data dashboard function testing, support, and improvement opportunities.
• Support educational efforts for topics related to opportunities identified in the INHALE data to support continuous quality improvement.
• Use knowledge and critical thinking skills to detect data validity issues and data concerns; collaborating with the INHALE team and data vendor to resolve issues as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelors degree with 3 to 5 years' experience managing projects
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in quality improvement, process improvement, or performance measurement
• Demonstrated experience facilitating and/or coaching teams in quality and process improvement
• Demonstrated experience related to improving care processes and patient outcomes
• Ability to work independently and effectively managing multiple competing/shifting priorities and deadlines
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with expertise in public speaking and/or leading large group discussions/trainings
• Demonstrated efficient organizational skills with the ability to proactively and effectively problem solve and prioritize work
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite
• Ability to work cohesively in a team environment
• Onsite work in Ann Arbor as required
• Ability to travel, primarily within the state of Michigan

Desired Qualifications*

• Bachelors degree in health-related discipline (nursing, RTT, etc.) or Learning Health Sciences
• Asthma/COPD experience
• Experience with clinic operations, ambulatory medical groups
• Experience working under data use agreements, contracts or other regulatory requirements
• Knowledge of Michigan Medicine Policies/Procedures and Organizational Structure
• Understanding of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan CQI portfolio

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

The Inspiring Health Advances in Lung Care (INHALE) Collaborative Quality Improvement (CQI) Coordinating Center is a hybrid workforce. Remote work is supported and expected however, in-person work is required in Ann Arbor. Travel is required to INHALE participating sites for QI project support, coaching and/or clinical data review.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.