The Quality and Safety Nurse (Quality Improvement HC Specialist 4) for the Patient Care Services Quality and Safety Department has the primary responsibility to provide support for unit based and system-wide performance improvement through collaboration and coordination of various projects across the healthcare system. The Quality and Safety Nurse combines expert clinical knowledge of health care delivery systems with current quality improvement tools and techniques to achieve excellence in clinical outcomes at UCDH. They work closely with clinical staff, Patient Care Services leadership and multidisciplinary teams to ensure delivery of appropriate and timely services to patients and other key stakeholders.
This position is also responsible for applying their extensive knowledge of continuous process improvement practices, methodologies, project management and change management to develop, coordinate and execute projects and initiatives toward the achievement of organizational goals. They are a technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field of expertise in specific areas; problem solving frequently requiring analysis of unique issues/problems without precedence and/or structure. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes and resources, functioning with a high degree of autonomy. This position applies skills and experience as a seasoned quality data and/or improvement concepts, methodologies, and data collection and abstraction techniques to projects of a variety of scope and complexity. The Quality and Safety Nurse works closely with the Director of Quality and Safety in Patient Care Services to lead performance improvement activities to ensure optimal patient outcomes and early identification of patient safety system issues.
Apply By Date: August 7th, 2025, at 11:59 pm, interviews occurring after this time
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position
- Possession of current California RN license
- American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS), or UC Davis Health CPR
- Graduation from an accredited school of nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Five years of recent nursing experience in acute care or critical care
- Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language
- Advanced ability to utilize medical terminology appropriately
- Advanced knowledge of current trends in nursing
- Demonstrated commitment to excellence in patient care
- Ability to adapt to change in a positive, professional and productive manner
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated accountability and professionalism
- Advanced knowledge of legal implications in clinical practice and documentation
- Advanced knowledge of performance improvement and evidence-based practice
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- Proven ability to present recommendations
- Advanced ability to speak publicly in front of both clinical and administrative leaders
- Proficient ability to collaborate with unit and hospital leadership across disciplines
- Advanced and broad base of clinical knowledge and patient care skills
- Advanced ability to develop action plans and implement to include group dynamic management for task implementation
- Advanced ability to promote staff education related to quality measures and patient safety
- Demonstrated ability in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, taking into consideration protective interventions, development (behavioral and physical) and physiological characteristics specific to the patient
Preferred Qualifications
- Lean Six Sigma of any color belt, or Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), or Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Three years of experience in quality improvement
- Data entry and/or data management experience
- Advanced ability to perform data analysis of outcomes to identify trends and/or opportunities for improvement
- Advanced knowledge of Joint Commission or Accreditation for Healthcare Organization Standards and other regulatory agencies
Key Responsibilities
- 80% - Nursing Process and Practice
- 10% - Leadership and Quality
- 5% - Professional Development
- 5% - Nursing Research
Department Overview
The Patient Care Services Quality and Safety Department's mission is to positively change culture by educating healthcare providers and leading and supporting quality and safety initiatives at UCDMC with the goal of improving patient outcomes.
Department Specific Job Scope
The Quality and Safety Nurse (Quality Improvement HC Specialist 4) for the Patient Care Services Quality and Safety Department has the primary responsibility to provide support for unit based and system-wide performance improvement through collaboration and coordination of various projects across the healthcare system. The Quality and Safety Nurse combines expert clinical knowledge of health care delivery systems with current quality improvement tools and techniques to achieve excellence in clinical outcomes at UCDH. They work closely with clinical staff, Patient Care Services leadership and multidisciplinary teams to ensure delivery of appropriate and timely services to patients and other key stakeholders.
This position is also responsible for applying their extensive knowledge of continuous process improvement practices, methodologies, project management and change management to develop, coordinate and execute projects and initiatives toward the achievement of organizational goals. They are a technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field of expertise in specific areas; problem solving frequently requiring analysis of unique issues/problems without precedence and/or structure. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes and resources, functioning with a high degree of autonomy. This position applies skills and experience as a seasoned quality data and/or improvement concepts, methodologies, and data collection and abstraction techniques to projects of a variety of scope and complexity. The Quality and Safety Nurse works closely with the Director of Quality and Safety in Patient Care Services to lead performance improvement activities to ensure optimal patient outcomes and early identification of patient safety system issues.
POSITION INFORMATION
- Salary or Pay Range: $8,925.00 - $18,675
- Salary Frequency: Monthly
- Salary Grade: Grade 26
- UC Job Title: QLTY IMPV HC SPEC 4
- UC Job Code: 006525
- Number of Positions: 1
- Appointment Type: Staff: Career
- Percentage of Time: 100%
- Shift (Work Schedule): Monday to Friday 0530-1400
- Location: Main Hospital (HSP001)
- Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
- Benefits Eligible: Yes
- This position is 100% on-site
- This position is not eligible for H1B Visa sponsorship
Benefits
Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.
If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html
- High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
- UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
- Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
- Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
- WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
- On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
- Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
- Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here
Physical Demands
- Standing - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Walking - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Bending/Stooping - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Twisting - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Environmental Demands
- Loud noise levels - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
Mental Demands
- Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Complex problem solving/reasoning - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Numerical skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Constant Interaction - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
- Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
Work Environment
- UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
- Works overtime as defined by the collective bargaining agreements; floats to other areas; and works weekends, holidays and call as required.
- References reflect an overall meets or exceeds.
Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position
- This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
- This position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy, and employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures and training requirements
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging
At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.
As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere
To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks
University of California- Davis Health
$8,925.00 - $18,675
vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, long term disability, tuition reimbursement
Jul 31, 2025