The Legacy nursing philosophy focuses on patients and their families. Our nurses embody this philosophy in everything they do, as advocates, communicators, problem-solvers and caregivers. Their expertise is sought after and respected by our health care team. In short, they are the face of wellness at Legacy. Does this sound like an environment in which you could thrive? If so, we invite you to consider this opportunity.

The Nursing Practice and Quality Specialist serves as a clinical and operational expert in advancing nursing practice, patient safety, and quality outcomes. Guided by the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework, this role supports the design, implementation, and evaluation of nursing practice standards, policies, and quality improvement initiatives that foster excellence in patient care, regulatory compliance, and continuous learning.

Critical Care Expertise:

• Must have knowledge of medical and surgical critical care and trauma processes and procedures
• Experience as a Neurological and Trauma nurse or nurse leader
• Experience with Code Blue and Rapid Response Teams
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary workgroups overseeing the system standards

Quality Leadership and Integration

• Champion a culture of quality and safety across Legacy Health through education, data transparency, and staff engagement.
• Collaborate with nurse leaders and providers to align nursing goals with organizational quality and strategic priorities.
• Serve as a resource for evidence-based practice
• Leads providers, managers and staff in implementation, compliance, and evaluation of clinical standards and evidence-based practice initiatives.
• Lead system-wide initiatives to reduce harm and improve clinical outcomes

Performance and Process Improvement

• Lead and facilitate interdisciplinary quality improvement (QI) projects using the PDSA methodology.
• Will represent a multi hospital view of system wide standardized processes and practices
• Analyze clinical processes, identify performance gaps, and implement improvement plans that enhance outcomes and efficiency.
• Monitor progress through data collection, dashboards, and feedback loops to ensure sustainability of improvements.
• Collaborates with providers, nurses and other clinical disciplines in the implementation, compliance, and evaluation of evidence-based clinical standards.
• Leads and participates in taskforces, committees or councils related to process improvement and provision of quality, evidence-based care.
• Uses Lean tools and principles to improve quality of workflow and patient care.
• Supports clinical practice initiatives to reduce harm, improve quality of care and meet clinical compliance requirements.
• Consults with Nursing Professional Development Specialists in the implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Promote a culture of safety, transparency, and continuous learning throughout the organization.

Patient Safety and Regulatory Readiness

• Coordinate safety initiatives, root cause analyses, and failure mode and effects analyses (FMEAs).
• Ensure nursing practices meet current standards, accreditation requirements, and regulatory expectations (e.g., The Joint Commission, CMS, state boards).
• Collaborate with leaders and frontline staff to implement corrective action plans and sustain compliance.

Health Data Analytics and Reporting

• Partner with data analysts to transform complex data into actionable insights for nurse leaders, providers, and staff.
• Support data-driven decision-making through accurate, timely performance measurement and reporting.

Population Health and Care Coordination

• Integrate population health principles into nursing practice to reduce health disparities and improve outcomes across the continuum.
• Contribute to initiatives that improve patient experience and outcomes across care settings.

Professional Practice Development

• Mentor and educate nurses on quality science, evidence-based practice, and outcomes measurement.
• Assists in developing and revising standards of care and practice to reflect national and regional standards, local practice trends, and current research
• Collaborates with nursing leadership, Legacy Research Institute, Nursing Professional Development Specialists and nursing staff in identifying opportunities for nursing clinical inquiry.
• Maintains currency in clinical practice and knowledge of professional standards of practice through participation in continuing education, community and professional activities, and committee membership.

Education: 

• An academic degree in nursing is required (BSN or MSN/MN); master’s degree required.

Experience:

• Four years relevant clinical experience at a proficient to expert level of practice required with demonstrated involvement in quality or performance improvement.
• Preferred:  Experience with regulatory/accreditation readiness, patient safety, and data analytics.    

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of healthcare quality improvement principles and regulatory standards.
• Ability to work effectively in teams and independently.
• Excellent analytical, project management, organizational and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to effectively communicate with staff, patients, and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to influence without direct authority and build collaborative partnerships across disciplines.
• Proficiency in data visualization, report generation, and clinical information systems.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development in quality and safety science.

• Current applicable state RN license required.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) (or equivalent) upon hire or intent to obtain within 1 year.

Our Legacy is good for health for Our People, Our Patients, Our Communities, Our World. Above all, we will do the right thing.

If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and succeed.

Legacy Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To learn more about our employee benefits click here: www.legacyhealth.org/For-Health-Professionals/careers/benefiting-you