Harm Reduction Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Applies skills and experience as a seasoned quality data and / or improvement (QI) specialist to projects of medium size at all levels of complexity, or to portions of large projects.

This position is assigned to the Harm Reduction Unit, of the California Office of AIDS (OA). As the Harm Reduction Strategist, this position will be the leader in coordinating quality improvement within the Office of AIDS. Specifically, this position analyzes rules, regulations, and quality measures affecting healthcare and preventive services programs to ensure they are responsive to emerging needs. The position will work with research and analytic staff to develop and release periodic reports or fact sheets summarizing quality measures and outcomes, and support data dissemination activities in close collaboration with state, local, and community partners. This position will need to maintain expertise in all aspects of HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in order to best support programs and will represent CDPH/OA at internal and external meetings.

RESPONSIBILITIES

% of timeEssential Function (Yes/No)Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor)

0 No Supports designated clinical areas on data management including establishing systems to acquire data

0 No Develops appropriate data reporting structures to support quality reviews for new initiatives

35 Yes

Analyzes and interprets data at most levels of complexity and summarizes statistical findings

Monitors and analyzes national and state-level rules, regulations, legislation, budgets, research, and standards affecting Office of AIDS programs and the patients they serve

• Monitors proposed and final rules, regulations, budgets, legislation, metrics, and standards to identify pending changes that could affect the accessibility, delivery, and quality of patient care and preventive services in clinical and community settings serving people with or at risk for HIV, STIs, or HCV.
• Identifies primary and secondary data sources that could be used to inform analysis of the potential effects of proposed changes on healthcare and preventive services quality in clinical and community-based settings.
• Conducts primary and secondary data analysis and develops written and visual summaries of analytic findings, research, and emerging evidence for department leadership as well as local healthcare and community providers.
  
  

0 No Develops corresponding reports, dashboards, presentations, and action plans

0 No Participates in development of executive summaries

0 No Identifies statistical trends, and potential issues in patient care and services

0 No Works collaboratively on highly complex projects in assigned clinical departments to develop corrective plans, and monitor their effectiveness

0 No Within assigned clinical departments, prepares incident reports and conducts QI reviews of complex mortality cases, sentinel events, readmissions, and other cases flagged by screening criteria

0 No Identifies cases that require urgent review and provides follow up

20 Yes

Performs timely and accurate reporting of quality data to appropriate internal departments and outside agencies

Oversees the development and dissemination of products

• Develops and implements quality measures to improve OA programs.
• Collaborates with scientific staff to populate the reports/fact sheets on the outcomes of quality improvement metrics and other analytic products.
• Ensure reports/fact sheets are developed and released to the public, including as evidence emerges that would affect healthcare delivery, quality, and design.
  
  

10 Yes

Collaborates on clinical and technical project teams to apply complex QI models and techniques to improve clinical care and patient safety; develops plans to improve quality of patient care

Supports Division-wide collaboration, community engagement, and technical consultation

• Represents the Center, Division. or Office in high-level initiatives, including, but not limited to, overdose prevention, cross-cutting healthcare quality initiatives, and strategic planning. Represents OA at meetings, professional conferences, meeting with CDPH leaders, Agency, and the legislature (as needed) and other health-related forums.Responds to drills and highly sensitive information requests with short turnaround times and ensures accuracy and clarity of findings and recommendations.
• Engages with state, local, and community partners to create a feedback loop for continuous quality improvement to inform OA healthcare and services delivery.
• Provide technical expertise to OA on interpretation and use of quality improvement data to guide OA and its clinical and community partners.
  
  

0 No Researches best practices and develops proposals for improvements in the data collection and reporting processes and / or systems

30 Yes

Provides advice and recommendations on complex clinical QI issues of functionality, efficiency, and program development

Uses complex analytic findings to inform recommendations for quality improvement

• Translates data analysis and research into specific recommendations for increased quality (such as suggested amendments to draft regulations or metrics)
• Compares the feasibility and fiscal implications of proposed recommendations to alternative approaches; provides examples from other organizations and jurisdictions.
• Communicates recommendations to leadership and other partners and ensures alignment with departmental goals and strategic priorities and protocols.
  
  

5%

Yes

Other duties as assigned.

Completes annual data security and confidentiality trainings for both CDPH and OA; follows and promotes data confidentiality requirements and policies.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Requirements

• Minimum of two years of experience in HIV, STI, or HCV public health program implementation and/or project monitoring/oversight
• Minimum of two years of experience engaging with the public, external stakeholders, the legislature, and/or advocacy/lobbying groups
• At least 3 years experience working in general HIV STI, or HCV prevention activities that serve people affected by HIV, STIs, or HCV, such as LGBTQ individuals, people who inject drugs, people who are incarcerated, or people experiencing homelessness.
• At least 3 years experience in HIV STI, or HCV prevention related program evaluation including extensive expertise in the use of electronic data collection systems for evaluation purposes.
• Thorough knowledge of QI models, measurement tools, and techniques, including collection, aggregation, abstraction, validation, analysis, and reporting of data, with an emphasis on QI in the context of the prevention, control, or treatment of HIV, STIs, or HCV
• Detail-oriented, with proven ability to effectively manage time, see projects through to completion, organize competing priorities, and effectively address complex, urgent issues as they arise
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage multiple levels of information and responsibilities, to quickly assess complex problems, and to develop and implement timely and effective solutions
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborating effectively with a broad range of clinical and technical staff and representatives of external regulatory agencies, and for mentoring lower-level QI staff
• Strong skills required to effectively convey complex clinical and technical information both verbally and in writing, and to produce high-quality reports and documentation
• Strong knowledge of various administrative and business software packages, and of the specialized applications for quality data management
• Strong skills to influence staff, management, and clinicians at all levels and across departments
• Demonstrated excellence in reliability and attendance
  
  

Preferred Requirements

• Prior UCSF, UC or CDPH experience
• Thorough knowledge of QI standards, clinical chart review and abstraction, and regulatory requirements Required Requirements
• Minimum of two years of experience in HIV, STI, or HCV public health program implementation and/or project monitoring/oversight
• Minimum of two years of experience engaging with the public, external stakeholders, the legislature, and/or advocacy/lobbying groups
• At least 3 years experience working in general HIV STI, or HCV prevention activities that serve people affected by HIV, STIs, or HCV, such as LGBTQ individuals, people who inject drugs, people who are incarcerated, or people experiencing homelessness.
• At least 3 years experience in HIV STI, or HCV prevention related program evaluation including extensive expertise in the use of electronic data collection systems for evaluation purposes.
• Thorough knowledge of QI models, measurement tools, and techniques, including collection, aggregation, abstraction, validation, analysis, and reporting of data, with an emphasis on QI in the context of the prevention, control, or treatment of HIV, STIs, or HCV
• Detail-oriented, with proven ability to effectively manage time, see projects through to completion, organize competing priorities, and effectively address complex, urgent issues as they arise
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage multiple levels of information and responsibilities, to quickly assess complex problems, and to develop and implement timely and effective solutions
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborating effectively with a broad range of clinical and technical staff and representatives of external regulatory agencies, and for mentoring lower-level QI staff
• Strong skills required to effectively convey complex clinical and technical information both verbally and in writing, and to produce high-quality reports and documentation
• Strong knowledge of various administrative and business software packages, and of the specialized applications for quality data management
• Strong skills to influence staff, management, and clinicians at all levels and across departments
• Demonstrated excellence in reliability and attendance
  
  

Preferred Requirements

Prior UCSF, UC or CDPH experience

Thorough knowledge of QI standards, clinical chart review and abstraction, and regulatory requirements