Risk Coordinator

Wage:  Min: $40.06 Max: $70.00  Employer paid benefits; Medical, Dental, and Vision   

The Risk Coordinator reports to the Senior Director of Quality and Patient Safety. This role focuses on utilizing a proactive systems approach to promote patient safety and prevent legal exposure. The Risk Coordinator coordinates the day to day organization-wide risk management activities for Good Shepherd Health Care System and assists in developing and maintaining systems within the organization to detect, monitor, prevent, organize, measure, investigate, report, and manage patient adverse events, malpractice claims, incident reports, and other indicators of potential patient harm. The Risk Coordinator collaborates with the Patient Relations team to proactively resolve complex clinical grievances. This role also liaises with GSHCS legal counsel and insurance carriers to facilitate claim resolution.

Clinical Risk and Claims Management

• Coordinates the risk management program to meet the needs of the health care system and complies with state and federal laws and related accreditation standards.
• Participates in activities designed to reduce risk exposure and improve quality and safety of patient care (e.g., Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA), and quality improvement teams).
• Acts as a resource person by presenting relevant risk management issues for discussion and evaluation.
• Determines necessity of evidence retention and directs procedures for special handling (this could include security footage, photographs, alarm data, phone records, equipment logs, equipment, packaging, training logs, etc).
• Closely collaborates with Patient Relations staff to resolve complex clinical grievances. This includes conversing with patients and families when appropriate, assisting with grievance letter verbiage, and working to resolve grievances before they develop into liability claims.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures that reduce the overall risk of the organization. Provides advice on proposed policies and procedures.
• Implement and sustain CANDOR (Communication and Optimal Resolution) to respond to unexpected events in a timely and thorough manner.
• Serves as the organization’s content expert for Oregon State’s “Apology Law”.
• Serves as the organization’s content expert for the System-Wide Policy “Unanticipated Outcome or Medical Accident Disclosure”.
• Encourages and supports early and transparent reporting of harm events, errors, mistakes, and near misses with no fear of retribution. Helps identify and track reporting goals.
• Creates a plan for back-up coverage or cross-training for out of office time.
• Assists in collaboration with internal stakeholders and insurance brokers, including completing applications.
• Initiates, coordinates, and manages all investigational and evaluation activities associated with professional liability occurrences, including coordinating/conducting interviews, researching, and reviewing policies and procedures, reviewing of electronic medical record documentation and other information sources; analyzes potential and actual professional liability and general liability exposures and evaluates the extent and elements of exposure and recommends appropriate actions for risk mitigation.
• Coordinates with insurance company claim representatives and internal and external legal counsel to successfully manage, mitigate, and resolve claims.
• Other duties as assigned.

Data Management and Incident Reporting

• In partnership with Quality staff, monitors incident reporting system (RLDatix Risk and Feedback modules) for patient harm events and unanticipated outcomes, and investigates and summarizes incidents, including talking with patients as needed.
• Assists in identifying organizational risk through trend analysis of incidents, reports, etc.
• Assists in preparing reports/dashboards and presenting risk management issues and/or data at various assigned committees.

Education

• Develops educational programs/activities to raise staff awareness to risk exposure and the impact on professional liability.
• Interface with staff physicians to ensure communication and cooperation in risk management efforts.
• Encourages and consistently reinforces staff compliance with organizational policies, safety regulations, accreditation requirements, and risk management activities.
• Presents at new employee orientation regarding risk management.

Education: Minimum of Associates Degree in healthcare related field. Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) or certification within 3 years of hire.

Experience: Three to five years experience as a clinician (preferred) and/or equivalent work experience in a health care setting. Three years experience working with the public to resolve disputes or equivalent work experience. Experience-based knowledge of medical professional liability exposures and laws. Effective and professional oral and written communication skills. An understanding of health care regulations and how they affect patient care delivery systems. Experience-based knowledge of customer service techniques. Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with rapidly shifting priorities.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

Light indoor work. Reaching, bending, and handling are necessary to operate various office equipment and perform general office duties. May include prolonged sitting and data entry. Variable noise levels. Perceive the nature of sounds by the ear. Express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Perceive written text by the eyes. Extend arms and hands. Seize, hold, grasp and otherwise work with hands. Stoop, kneel, or crouch for short periods of time. Sit for extended periods of time. Lift, carry, push, or pull objects that weigh up to 25 pounds. Perform repetitive motions of hands in doing keyboarding and note-taking.

Salary : $40 - $70