Quality, Safety & Patient Relations Specialist – Full-Time (On-Site)Department: Compliance & QAPI
Status: Full-Time | 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week)
Work Arrangement: On-Site Position
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Manager: QAPI and Risk
Location: Pagosa Springs Medical Center – Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Position HighlightHelp shape a culture of safety, quality, and patient-centered care while serving as a key resource for patient advocacy, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and process improvement.
Position SummaryPagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) is seeking a compassionate and detail-oriented Quality, Safety & Patient Relations Specialist to support our Compliance and QAPI program.
This role serves as a vital link between patients, families, leadership, and clinical teams by promoting patient safety, supporting quality improvement initiatives, and assisting with patient relations and service recovery efforts. Responsibilities include coordinating patient safety activities, investigating concerns and events, supporting regulatory compliance, and helping drive organizational performance improvement efforts.
This position also supports organizational behavioral health safety initiatives, including participation in PSMC’s HQIP Zero Suicide framework and suicide risk reduction efforts.
The ideal candidate is collaborative, analytical, and skilled in communication, conflict resolution, healthcare quality methodologies, and patient safety practices.
Schedule Highlights- Full-time (40 hours/week)
- On-site position located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
- Primarily weekday business hours
- May require flexibility to participate in meetings, investigations, or patient concerns as needed
Key ResponsibilitiesPatient Relations & Service Recovery- Serve as a liaison between patients, families, and the healthcare team
- Respond to patient concerns, complaints, and grievances promptly and professionally
- Support service recovery efforts and promote a patient-centered culture
- Collaborate with departments to improve patient experience and satisfaction outcomes
Patient Safety & Risk Management- Coordinate and support patient safety initiatives and event investigations
- Assist with Root Cause Analyses (RCA) and Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEA)
- Utilize reporting systems (including Clarity) for event documentation and follow-up
- Monitor compliance with patient safety standards and organizational policies
- Support behavioral health patient safety initiatives, including participation in PSMC’s HQIP Zero Suicide framework
- Assist with identification, review, and follow-up of suicide risk-related events, near misses, and safety concerns, including coordination of Root Cause Analyses as appropriate
Quality & Performance Improvement (QAPI)- Support Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement initiatives
- Collect, analyze, and report quality and patient safety data
- Participate in performance improvement projects and committee work
- Assist departments with quality metrics, action plans, and improvement strategies
Regulatory Compliance- Support compliance with federal, state, and organizational quality requirements
- Assist with regulatory readiness and quality reporting activities
- Maintain awareness of current healthcare quality and safety standards
Collaboration & Education- Work collaboratively with leadership and interdisciplinary teams
- Promote education related to patient safety, communication, and quality improvement
- Support a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
Education- High School diploma or equivalent required
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
Experience- Experience in healthcare environment, quality assurance, patient safety, risk management and patient advocacy or customer service preferred.
Certifications- CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) preferred or willingness to obtain within 1 year of hire
- CPSO, CPPS, or similar patient safety certification preferred
Skills- Strong knowledge of QAPI methodologies and patient safety principles
- Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical and organizational abilities
- Ability to manage sensitive situations professionally and collaboratively
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic health records
Work Environment- Hospital office and clinical environment
- Frequent interaction with patients, staff, leadership, and visitors
- Exposure to work stress, interruptions, and sensitive situations
- Primarily sedentary office-based work with periodic movement throughout the facility
Compensation & Benefits- Base Compensation Range: $22.45 - $27.91 hourly, based on years of relevant experience. "Relevant experience" means relevant to the employee's responsibilities set forth in the job description as determined by the HR Manager, CAO, applicable department manager/director and applicable senior leader.
- Benefits: Benefits include generous paid time off, separate sick leave, health, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, long-term disability and option for short-term disability, and retirement plan with employer contribution.
- Job Type: Full-time
- Anticipated End Date for Posting: May 31, 2026. The deadline may close sooner due to an unanticipated business necessity, such as an incumbent vacating the role earlier than anticipated. You are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline.
Pagosa Springs Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, and we will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment health and drug screen and background check.
About Pagosa Springs Medical CenterPagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) is a Critical Access Hospital serving Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County in southwest Colorado. Our Compliance and QAPI teams are dedicated to advancing patient safety, regulatory excellence, and high-quality patient-centered care.
Located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, our community offers a unique mountain lifestyle with access to outdoor recreation and a close-knit environment. Our culture is guided by our **WISER values—Wholeness, Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence, and Respect—**which shape how we care for patients and support one another.
Why Join PSMC- Meaningful role influencing patient safety and quality outcomes
- Opportunity to collaborate across all areas of the organization
- Supportive leadership and mission-driven culture
- High-impact work improving the patient experience
- Involvement in behavioral health safety and Zero Suicide initiatives
- Professional growth opportunities in quality and patient safety