Risk Coordinator

Employer paid benefits - Medical, Dental, and Vision

Wage compensation - Min: $ 40.86  Max: $ 71.40

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.

Essential Job Functions:

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.

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.

Additionally

• The employee supports the hospital mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in required education for DNV programs as applicable to position (reference program education curriculum).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education

              Required: Associate’s degree in healthcare related field.

  Preferred: Bachelor’s degree.  

Licenses/ certifications/ registrations

Required: Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) or certification within 3 years of hire.

Preferred: NA

Experience

Required: 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.

Preferred: Three to five years’ experience as a clinician (preferred) and/or equivalent work experience in a health care setting.

Other:

              NA

Physical Requirements:

The physical and sensory functions described below are essential to the successful performance of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The position requires sufficient auditory ability to detect and respond to various sounds, including patient alarms and verbal communication. Clear and effective communication is essential, as is the ability to interact with patients, families, and healthcare team members. Visual acuity is necessary for observing patient conditions, reading documentation and monitors, and distinguishing colors for clinical purposes, such as identifying medications or safety indicators. Tactile perception is also important for assessing physical characteristics such as temperature, size, shape, or texture during patient care. Motor coordination is required for reaching, grasping, handling, and performing fine motor tasks necessary for the use of medical equipment and procedures. The position also involves occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling when assisting patients or accessing equipment. Walking and standing are typically continuous throughout the shift. The role requires the ability to lift to 50 pounds independently and involves frequent pushing, pulling, carrying, or repositioning of objects or patients weighing up to 25 pounds. There may also be occasional lifting or transferring of individuals weighing over 100 pounds, with the expectation that appropriate lifting techniques, mechanical aids, or team assistance will be used to ensure safety. May to sit for long periods of time.

Working Conditions:

This position is performed primarily in an indoor healthcare environment, such as a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility. While the work setting is protected from outdoor weather conditions, it may be subject to variable indoor temperatures. The role involves frequent exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, hazardous materials, and medical equipment, with the expectation that all staff follow appropriate safety protocols and utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

The health care environment can be fast-paced and unpredictable, requiring the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances, including high-pressure or emergency situations. The work setting also involves multiple simultaneous demands and varying levels of noise due to medical equipment, staff activity, and patient needs.