Director, Patient Safety

Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, is seeking a Director of Patient Safety who thrives at the intersection of data, systems thinking, and culture transformation in Springfield, MA.

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape and advance a culture of safety and high reliability across a leading healthcare organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the Vice President of Quality and Safety, the Director of Patient Safety serves as a subject matter expert in patient safety, continuous improvement, and High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles. In close partnership with Quality leadership, you will lead the operational execution of patient safety programs, driving standardized processes, strengthening accountability, and embedding a culture of transparency and learning across the system.

Lead Patient Safety Programs & Event Management

• Oversee the Safety Reporting System (SRS), ensuring timely review, triage, and resolution of safety events
• Identify trends, risks, and system vulnerabilities; escalate and coordinate cross-functional responses
• Lead root cause analyses (RCA) and structured investigations, ensuring actionable and sustained improvements
• Drive follow-through on corrective action plans and disseminate learning across teams

Drive Systems Thinking & Performance Improvement

• Partner with clinical and operational leaders to apply structured problem-solving methodologies (PDSA, RCA, etc.)
• Use data to identify gaps, inform priorities, and guide decision-making
• Align workflows, policies, and practices with regulatory and evidence-based standards

Advance a Culture of Safety & High Reliability

• Operationalize HRO and Just Culture principles to foster transparency, accountability, and continuous learning
• Coach and support leaders in building psychologically safe environments that encourage reporting
• Embed safety practices into daily operations through education and engagement

Standardize & Align Across the System

• Develop and sustain standard work to ensure consistency and reliability across departments
• Monitor adherence through audits, dashboards, and escalation processes
• Align patient safety initiatives with broader organizational quality and operational goals

Ensure Regulatory & Quality Program Excellence

• Oversee regulatory reporting and compliance with agencies such as The Joint Commission, DPH, and PCAP
• Support accreditation readiness, including mock tracers and survey preparation
• Ensure integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of all quality and safety data submissions

Enhance Communication & Visibility

• Lead tiered huddles and visual management systems to improve transparency and situational awareness
• Utilize dashboards and performance metrics to drive accountability and action

Collaborate Across the Organization

• Partner with physicians, clinical leaders, and operational teams to address system-level challenges
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration to advance patient safety and quality outcomes

Lead & Develop a High-Performing Team

• Supervise and mentor Quality & Safety Specialists
• Build team capability in RCA facilitation, data analysis, and improvement methodologies
• Support workforce development and align team performance with organizational priorities

SCHEDULE:

• Full-time

LOCATION:

• 55 Pratt St – Springfield, MA
• Requires travel to Greenfield, Westfield, and Palmer

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelors Degree, required
• Clinical degree with active license, required
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in patient safety, quality, or performance improvement
• Strong knowledge of healthcare operations, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards
• Expertise in quality improvement methodologies, systems thinking, and data analysis
• Proven ability to lead programs, influence stakeholders, and drive change across complex systems
•  Exceptional communication, facilitation, and leadership skills

Education:

Certifications:

Compensation

Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer