The Risk Manager supports the overall management of potential risks and liabilities within Brigham & Women's Faulkner Hospital (BWFH) and promotes patient safety. This role works closely with hospital staff to assess potential risks from several sources - including concerns regarding the delivery of care, the physical environment, and allegations of abuse / violence or negligence. Utilizing data collected, the risk manager performs analyses within the high reliability framework and participates in recommendation to address identified system problems or weaknesses in hospital procedures. This role reports to the BWH / BWFH Sr. Manager of Patient Safety and Risk Management. This hybrid position requires onsite presence as needed.
Responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the Patient Safety and Risk Management Department:
Receives and reviews computerized adverse event reports and telephone reports of adverse events.
Provides advice, consultation and support to hospital and professional staff on legal, risk and ethical issues.
Manages investigations related to adverse events, including interviewing staff and reviewing medical records for evaluation of clinical improvement and regulatory/liability reporting.
Maintains the adverse event and case management database, updated regularly.
Works closely with the Patient/Family Relations department on legal, risk and patient safety issues.
Manages intake of adverse hospital and patient events and event reporting:
Reviews all adverse event reports to ensure timely and appropriate analysis and follow up.
Refers cases as directed to the CRICO for monitoring, investigation, or defense.
Assists in review and development of hospital policies.
Participates in hospital patient safety initiatives, activities and committees as assigned.
Keeps abreast of changing legislation, standards and policies that affect risk management.
Peer Review
Identifies sentinel events, coordinates and conducts collaborative case reviews using hospital high reliability processes; collaborates with Patient Safety to monitor resulting corrective actions for effectiveness.
Manages reporting of appropriate adverse events to regulatory agencies, including DPH and BRM QPS division, and coordinates unannounced hospital surveys by DPH.
Assists with management of database of QA/RM committee case reviews, with conclusions, recommendations and follow through.
Identification and development of information related to equipment failures to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements of the Safe Medical Devices Act.
Medical Device Safety and Recall Oversight
Assists in maintaining frameworks to address medical device recall and risks associated with device and equipment issues.
Helps with the identification and development of information related to equipment failures to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements of the Safe Medical Devices Act.
Assist in the preparation and submission of MedSun Reports.
Assist with hospital equipment and supply recall process including notice of impacts or risk to patients is completed when needed.
Event Analysis
BWFH's Equity-informed High Reliability Organization (HRO) concepts as the framework for event analysis, such as, sequence of reliability, continuous improvement, just culture, increased reporting of adverse events and near misses, and increased transparency.
Manages review and analysis of adverse event reports and manages follow-up with all significant adverse events. Identifies trends and collaborates with clinical teams to design strategies to prevent medical error and reduce loss.
Provides feedback to safety reporters regarding investigations and corrective actions resulting from adverse event reports, as appropriate.
Reviews and evaluates aggregate adverse events and claims data, as well as other hospital information to identify high-risk activities, procedures and departments.
Recommends corrective and preventive actions to reduce risk. Collaborates with CRICO and hospital-based improvement teams on interventions.
Continually evaluates hospital adverse event reporting system for potential improvement.
Claims Management
Serves as the hospital agent for service of legal process and coordinates activities such as record requests, depositions, etc.
Advises hospital employees as necessary regarding legal proceedings in which they are professionally involved.
Communicates in timely and appropriate manner with the hospital's liability carrier, CRICO, regarding claims issues.
Works with MGB Office of General Counsel as necessary.
Provides for accurate submission of potential claims, new claims/suits to the hospital's liability carrier
Member of the risk liaison team to the hospital's liability carrier, hospital and outside counsel in the litigation process: contacts hospital employees for depositions, assists in obtaining answers to interrogatories, requests for production of documents and records from multiple BWFH sources.
Education
Assists with hospital, departmental and professional risk management education programs.
Collaborates with Nurse Sr. Managers, Medical Staff, hospital leadership, and other staff to keep all Hospital personnel informed regarding risk management and patient safety issues.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required. Concentration in nursing, science, or other healthcare related field preferred.
Advanced degree (i.e., JD, master's) preferred; minimum of 2 years' relevant work experience in risk management required in lieu of degree.
Competency with Microsoft Office required.
Basic command of data management and analysis required; strong data computing and electronic data base skills preferred.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail required.
Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills required.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle matters of sensitive nature; demonstrates maturity and discretion in all communications.
Prior risk management or related experience in a healthcare setting required; knowledge of medical malpractice, healthcare law, healthcare terminology preferred.
Experience in loss control and claims management preferred.
Experience working with teams in a complex organization preferred.
Professional risk management organization membership recommended, CPHRM certification helpful.
Rapid pace, multi-tasking and adaptive skills essential, teamwork and interpersonal skills to support interdepartmental and hospital-wide initiatives.
Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability as role may evolve in a changing environment
EEO Statement
Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
