Consideration for performance improvement position

[Mommy TeleRN, RN]

Hi all..

Our hospital is hiring for a performance improvement position specific to our service area. This position is responsible for various benchmark registries such as for thoracic surgery and vascular surgery. I have been a bedside nurse for 4 years. The past 3 years I have been with this facility and floating within the service line. I feel that would be of benefit as I have worked with all the various patient populations included in these various registries.

However I have NO prior experience in performance improvement. How big of a learning curve would I be looking at here? It seems most of these submissions are web-based. Would this type of position eventually lend itself to telecommuting from home?

I appreciate any insight. I'd like to at least understand a little more about this position before I interview with the VP over our service line. My boss did recommend me for the position so they know my experience is in bedside nursing. Although my prior life was doing a lot of account reconciliation type work so I'm a nerd at heart lol.

[muzzy, RN]

Hi,

I went from CNA to Mental Health RN to Quality Assurance RN in the Quality Improvement Department at the same hospital.

In my opinion, performance improvement is pretty easy to pick up on. Having your experience will be really helpful for the job. I took a look at CPHQ website for some intro resources- can't remember specifics and have been recently learning about LEAN techniques and management. There is also knowing TJC and CMS standards.

My position wouldn't allow for telecommuting because I am also on several committees and the sad fact that are still in the process of implementing a EHR.

Hope this helps with! Performance Improvement is a very different perspective of healthcare, and you will be learning a lot.

Good Luck!

[Mommy TeleRN, RN]

My first interview round went relatively well. I just got called to do a second interview later this week with a CT surgeon and the VP. I wish I could think of better ways to prepare myself. This is such a new area for me!