Quality Specialist

Reporting to the Director of Child and Youth Ambulatory Services, the Quality Specialist plays a key role in advancing quality improvement across the ambulatory programs at McMaster Children’s Hospital and the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre. This role is responsible for identifying, designing, planning, executing, and evaluating program initiatives aimed at enhancing operational and strategic performance across all dimensions of quality: effectiveness, efficiency, accessibility, patient and family centred care, equity, and safety.

The Quality Specialist provides leadership and oversight for a range of strategic initiatives focused on improving service delivery and the quality of care. The role collaborates closely with program leadership and clinical teams to support continuous improvement efforts. Core responsibilities include leading project planning and team meetings, applying quality improvement methodologies and tools (e.g., project charters, workplans, process mapping, and redesign), conducting data collection and analysis, and developing reports and presentations to inform decision-making. The successful candidate will bring expertise in quality improvement, data interpretation, and change management to drive meaningful and sustainable improvements in pediatric ambulatory care.

1. Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Health Administration, Health Sciences, Public Health, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline).
2. Advanced knowledge and/or certification in quality improvement methodologies and tools (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Model for Improvement).
3. Demonstrated experience in healthcare settings, with a strong understanding of service delivery across the continuum of care (e.g., acute, ambulatory, community).
4. Proven ability to lead and support quality improvement initiatives, including process redesign, workflow optimization, and enhancement of patient and family experience.
5. Strong analytical skills with experience in data collection, interpretation, and application to inform evidence-based decision-making.
6. Proficiency in statistical analysis and use of quality improvement software (e.g., Minitab, SPSS, Visio).
7. Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and educate individuals and teams in quality improvement principles and practices.
8. Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives within defined timelines and resource constraints.
9. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience in report writing, business case development, and delivering presentations to diverse audiences.
10. Knowledge of effective change management strategies and a proven ability to act as a change agent within complex healthcare environments.
11. Exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
12. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project) and other relevant digital tools.