Risk Management Nurse (RN)

• Investigates and analyzes actual and potential patient/visitor safety events (near-misses) for improvement opportunities and for the potential for legal action, with coaching to increasing independence. Activities include, but are not limited to chart review, staff/provider interviews, policy review, best practice research, observation activities.
• Utilizes an electronic database for tracking patient safety events. Participates in activities to use this database to identify trends and opportunities to improve patient safety. Facilitates case management of the incident reporting system
• Facilitates organization and operationalization of root cause analysis activities on assigned cases.
• Participates in the “on call” system to provide immediate consultation, recommendations and mitigation to hospital staff in responding to adverse events.
• Participates in follow-up action plans required to minimize patient safety risks.
• Prepares reports to external regulatory agencies with increasing independence, as assigned.
• Actively collaborates with Quality and Patient Safety staff to identify and mitigate local and organizational trends that impact patient safety and to support implementation of safer processes and systems of care.
• Actively collaborates with Claims Department to assist BMC efforts to minimize legal/financial liability.
• Interacts with wide variety of personnel throughout BMC including administration, clinicians, staff, senior management and Department Chairpersons.
• Actively participates in clinical case review and case learning committees. Facilitates committee operations as assigned.
• Serves as consistent departmental and organization-wide role model displaying behaviors that support a strong culture of safety.
• Help to ensures compliance with various codes, laws, rules and regulations concerning patient care, including those mandated by state, federal agencies and compliance with the Joint Commission risk management standards.
• Demonstrates understanding legislative and regulatory activities related to patient safety and health care risk management.
• Assists in the development, maintenance and revision of policies and procedures to improve patient safety and minimize loss exposure. Ensures policies and procedures meet regulatory criteria.
• Develops and presents educational sessions on patient safety and professional liability risk reduction to physicians and employees. Assists with process of obtaining credits so that physicians can meet state-mandated requirements for risk management continuing medical education.
• Helps ensure that risk management policies and procedures are communicated to employees.
• Assists clinical chairs and department chiefs to design patient safety and risk management programs specific to their individual areas.
• Periodically reports on risk management matters and prepare reports for various committees and boards, including the BMC Claims Committee as requested.
• Responsible for ensuring that all information necessary to prepare for the defense of claims is collected and properly maintained in a timely manner, including the preparation of reports of investigation. Helps to meet the needs of the Director of Claims in his/her efforts to manage claims and potential claims.
• Other duties as assigned by Manager, Risk Management or Executive leadership, Quality and Patient Safety.

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Graduate degree (Masters or Doctorate) preferred.
• Clinical degree required: RN

• CPHRM preferred.

• Requires at least 5 years of direct clinical care. Minimum of 1 year in risk management/patient safety.

• Must have interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively with a administrative and clinical leadership, staff, Clinical Chairpersons, and other healthcare professionals
• Ability to effectively interview individuals and groups from diverse professional backgrounds
• Maintain strictness confidentiality of information
• Ability to collect event information and organize into a coherent narrative
• Highly self-motivated. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to work deadlines.
• Ability to inspire trust and be seen as someone who provides support and assistance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skill including ability to speak before large audiences and prepare and provide Power Point presentations.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office; ability to learn new computer applications such as adverse event reporting software.

Boston Medical Center