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Director Patient Safety Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director, Patient Safety

Portland, OR · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Department Overview The Director of Patient Safety oversees the team responsible for managing the patient safety program. This leadership role is essential in centering patients and supporting staff ...

Director Patient Safety Job Summary and QualificationsJob Summary * Prevent future harm by initiating and overseeing proactive evaluation and redesign of systems to improve care processes (e.g ...

Director Patient Safety Job Summary and QualificationsJob Summary * Prevent future harm by initiating and overseeing proactive evaluation and redesign of systems to improve care processes (e.g ...

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Director Patient Safety information

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$33.5K

$121.3K

$174K

How much do director patient safety jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for director patient safety in the United States is $121,253.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director patient safety do?

A Director of Patient Safety is responsible for overseeing and implementing policies and programs that promote patient safety and reduce risks in healthcare settings. They analyze incident reports, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and collaborate with medical teams to improve quality of care. This role involves developing training initiatives, monitoring safety metrics, and leading efforts to enhance a culture of safety within the organization.

What are the primary challenges faced by a director patient safety, and how does the role address them?

One of the main challenges faced by a Director of Patient Safety is fostering a culture of safety across diverse teams, where staff feel comfortable reporting incidents and near misses without fear of blame. The role also involves analyzing complex data to identify patterns and root causes, implementing effective improvement plans, and ensuring continuous compliance with accreditation standards. Directors typically collaborate closely with clinical leaders, quality teams, and executive management to coordinate patient safety strategies. By remaining proactive and responsive to emerging risks, they play a crucial role in safeguarding patients and enhancing organizational care quality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the director patient safety position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Patient Safety, you need an in-depth understanding of healthcare quality, regulatory compliance, and patient safety principles, typically demonstrated through a clinical background and relevant experience. Familiarity with incident reporting systems, root cause analysis tools, and certifications such as CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) or CPPS (Certified Professional in Patient Safety) is often required. Exceptional leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are vital soft skills for leading teams and driving organizational change. These skills ensure patient safety initiatives are effectively developed, implemented, and sustained to meet regulatory standards and improve healthcare outcomes.

More about Director Patient Safety jobs

What cities are hiring for Director Patient Safety jobs?

Cities with the most Director Patient Safety job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Patient Safety jobs?

The most popular types of Patient Safety jobs are:

What states have the most Director Patient Safety jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Patient Safety jobs include:

Infographic showing various Director Patient Safety job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,253 per year, or $58.3 per hour.

Director, Patient Safety

Baystate Health

Springfield, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Baystate Health rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 143 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

698th of 893 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, is seeking a Director of Patient Safety who thrives at the intersection of data, systems thinking, and culture transformation in Springfield, MA.

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape and advance a culture of safety and high reliability across a leading healthcare organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the Vice President of Quality and Safety, the Director of Patient Safety serves as a subject matter expert in patient safety, continuous improvement, and High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles. In close partnership with Quality leadership, you will lead the operational execution of patient safety programs, driving standardized processes, strengthening accountability, and embedding a culture of transparency and learning across the system.

Lead Patient Safety Programs & Event Management

  • Oversee the Safety Reporting System (SRS), ensuring timely review, triage, and resolution of safety events
  • Identify trends, risks, and system vulnerabilities; escalate and coordinate cross-functional responses
  • Lead root cause analyses (RCA) and structured investigations, ensuring actionable and sustained improvements
  • Drive follow-through on corrective action plans and disseminate learning across teams

Drive Systems Thinking & Performance Improvement

  • Partner with clinical and operational leaders to apply structured problem-solving methodologies (PDSA, RCA, etc.)
  • Use data to identify gaps, inform priorities, and guide decision-making
  • Align workflows, policies, and practices with regulatory and evidence-based standards

Advance a Culture of Safety & High Reliability

  • Operationalize HRO and Just Culture principles to foster transparency, accountability, and continuous learning
  • Coach and support leaders in building psychologically safe environments that encourage reporting
  • Embed safety practices into daily operations through education and engagement

Standardize & Align Across the System

  • Develop and sustain standard work to ensure consistency and reliability across departments
  • Monitor adherence through audits, dashboards, and escalation processes
  • Align patient safety initiatives with broader organizational quality and operational goals

Ensure Regulatory & Quality Program Excellence

  • Oversee regulatory reporting and compliance with agencies such as The Joint Commission, DPH, and PCAP
  • Support accreditation readiness, including mock tracers and survey preparation
  • Ensure integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of all quality and safety data submissions

Enhance Communication & Visibility

  • Lead tiered huddles and visual management systems to improve transparency and situational awareness
  • Utilize dashboards and performance metrics to drive accountability and action

Collaborate Across the Organization

  • Partner with physicians, clinical leaders, and operational teams to address system-level challenges
  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration to advance patient safety and quality outcomes

Lead & Develop a High-Performing Team

  • Supervise and mentor Quality & Safety Specialists
  • Build team capability in RCA facilitation, data analysis, and improvement methodologies
  • Support workforce development and align team performance with organizational priorities

SCHEDULE:

  • Full-time

LOCATION:

  • 55 Pratt St - Springfield, MA
  • Requires travel to Greenfield, Westfield, and Palmer

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelors Degree, required
  • Clinical degree with active license, required
  • Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in patient safety, quality, or performance improvement
  • Strong knowledge of healthcare operations, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards
  • Expertise in quality improvement methodologies, systems thinking, and data analysis
  • Proven ability to lead programs, influence stakeholders, and drive change across complex systems
  • Exceptional communication, facilitation, and leadership skills

Education:

Bachelor of Science (Required)

Certifications:

Compensation

Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum

$158,371.00 - $182,041.00 - $215,342.00

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.


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