Quality, Risk & Continuous Improvement Manager - UPMC Kildare
Location: UPMC Kildare Hospital
Job type: Permanent
Overview of role:
The Quality, Risk & Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading the hospital's quality, patient safety, risk management, and continuous improvement agenda. The role ensures compliance with national standards, drives quality improvement initiatives, supports accreditation processes, and strengthens risk mitigation strategies across the organisation.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
General
Quality Management
* Works in
collaboration with the General manager, Director of Nursing, Chief
Quality and Compliance Officer, Medical Director and hospital leadership
in the development of the hospital quality improvement programme and
strategy.
* Develop, implement,
and monitor the hospital's Quality Management System (QMS).
* Ensure compliance
with national healthcare standards (e.g. HIQA, JCI, ISO, CHKS,JAG,HSA)
* Lead quality
audits, coordinate action plans, and monitor improvement outcomes.
* Analyse quality
data, produce dashboards, and present reports to senior leadership.
* Support clinical
and non‑clinical teams in developing and reviewing policies and
procedures.
Risk
Management
* Oversee the
hospital's Risk Management Framework, including risk identification,
assessment, mitigation, and monitoring.
* Maintain the
organisational risk register and ensure regular review with senior
management.
* Lead incident
management processes, including investigation, root cause analysis (RCA),
and implementation of learning.
* Promote a culture
of open disclosure and support staff involved in incidents.
* Ensure statutory
reporting of incidents and risks where required.
Patient
Safety
* Implement and
enhance patient safety initiatives (falls reduction, medication safety,
infection prevention, etc.).
* Monitor safety
indicators and clinical outcomes; identify trends and support improvement
strategies.
* Facilitate
multidisciplinary patient safety committees.
* Support compliance
with safeguarding, patient rights, and safe‑care standards.
Continuous
Improvement / Lean Management
* Lead continuous
improvement activities using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, PDSA
cycles, and process mapping.
* Train and coach
staff on quality improvement tools and techniques.
* Facilitate cross‑departmental
improvement projects and evaluate their effectiveness.
* Develop and track
KPIs to measure progress and ensure sustained improvement.
Accreditation & Compliance
* Lead on the
preparation for internal and external inspections or accreditation
surveys.
* Ensure
documentation, policies, and processes meet required standards.
* Liaise with
regulators and accreditation bodies.
* Support service
development and change management programmes.
Data,
Reporting & Governance
* Provide regular
quality, risk, and patient safety reports to General Manager and Director
of Nursing.
* Maintain accurate
records and ensure timely submission of compliance reports.
* Support clinical
audit programmes and oversee audit action plans.
* Contribute to
governance meetings and promote evidence‑based decision‑making.
Education
& Staff Engagement
* Deliver training on
risk management, incident reporting, quality tools, and improvement
methodologies.
* Promote a culture
of safety, accountability, and continuous learning.
* Engage teams
through communication, feedback, and recognition of improvement efforts.
Health and Safety
* Work collaboratively with other members of the team to ensure that patient care is central to all activities in the hospital.
* Participate in service delivery as part of a professional, punctual and dedicated team.
* Create, promote and maintain open communications and healthy working relationships.
* Ensure best pharmaceutical practice, having regard to legal and ethical requirements for the provision of the pharmacy service.
* Maintain the principles of equity, accountability, quality and safety in daily work.
* Work collaboratively with other staff to deliver and develop clinical pharmacy services to achieve stated goals and objectives, respecting the role of other pharmacists in ensuring safe and effective care.
* Manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment.
* Have the skills necessary to evaluate information, make effective decisions and problem-solve.
* Have the ability to manage time, deadlines and prioritise the workload.
* Assist in managing the efficient running of the dispensary. Participate in/ supervise the operation of the dispensary, and the procurement, storage and supply of pharmaceuticals and other related items.
Professional / Education
* Contribute to service development through appropriate continuous education, research initiatives, keeping up to date with literature, recent research and new developments in management, education and practice and attend staff study days as considered appropriate.
* Provide support/advice to those engaging in continuous professional development in his/her area of responsibility.
* Participate in the identification, development and delivery of induction, education, training and development programmes for nursing and non-nursing staff.
* Participate in in-service training, orientation programmes and appraisals of all nursing staff.Also, participate in nurse training programmes and any other programmes pertaining to future development in the hospital.
* Provide support supervision and professional development of appropriate staff.
* Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning e.g., by setting own and staff objectives and providing and receiving feedback.
Qualifications & Experience:
Eligible Criteria:
Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Management, Quality, or related field (Master's desirable).
* Training in Lean, Six Sigma, or quality improvement (Green/Black Belt advantageous).
Experience
* Experience in healthcare quality, patient safety, or risk management.
* Have at least 5 years' experience in healthcare administration.
* Experience with hospital accreditation essential – CHKS or JCI.
* Knowledge of healthcare standards and regulatory requirements.
* Demonstrate a high level of knowledge of developments within the healthcare quality.
* Demonstrate a knowledge of applying standards to practice, quality improvement process and quality and safety frameworks.
* Experience in the application of knowledge on standardisation to practice / process.
* Excellent IT skills: MS Office skills to include, MS Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, knowledge and experience of using an email system effectively e.g., Outlook.
Core
Competencies
* Leadership skills
* Quality‑focused decision‑making
* Strong organisational and project management skills
* Ability to influence and engage multiple stakeholders
* Problem‑solving and root cause analysis skills
* Data analysis and report development
* Strategic thinking and continuous improvement mindset
This job
description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility. As the
UPMC Kildare Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be
subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Centre.
Equal
Opportunity Statement and Benefits
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment
for all employees.
At UPMC we provide a total rewards program
that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities
for all our colleagues.
Compensation – Competitive pay for the work employees do – base pay, performance related pay
and premium pay where applicable.
Benefits –
Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension
Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness cover
for all employees up to the age of 66.
Performance and Recognition – Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of
UPMC through our annual ACES programme.
Work-Life Balance – Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible
working opportunities to support you to work around external family
commitments.
Development
and Career Opportunities – Opportunities for each employee to reach
their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.
About
UPMC
UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical
centre committed to delivering people-focused care that's close to home.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh
Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health through
clinical and technological innovation, research and education.
UPMC expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care across
continents through its UPMC International division — an owned and operated
network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and
Croatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialty
services of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others to
more people in more places around the world.
In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since
2006. UPMC's operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in
Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in
Clane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at
the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy
locations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and across
UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, and
Mayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC's
Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.