Job Description

The Director of Risk Management plays a critical leadership role in promoting, coordinating, and executing risk management strategies across the hospital. This role supports staff and employees in understanding and adhering to hospital policies, objectives, and reporting procedures to reduce risk and improve patient safety. The Director will access and evaluate a wide range of hospital and medical staff data—including committee minutes, medical records, and quality reports—to identify risks and ensure compliance with Joint Commission (JCAHO), CMS, State of Alaska, and other regulatory standards.

North Star Behavioral Health is one of Alaska’s premier mental health facilities offering hope and healing for children, teens and adults who struggle with psychiatric or substance abuse issues. We also offer military-specific care to first responders, service members, veterans and dependents at the Chris Kyle Patriots Hospital. We provide an environment that puts patient care first through excellent care, comfort, and security to the patients and families we treat, at their most vulnerable times. When you work at North Star Behavioral Health, you are never alone, as you are part of a large network of peers and leaders that routinely exchange ideas and review current topics within the industry. With us, you have the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance in your career through robust continuing education opportunities and career advancement with UHS.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management Oversight

• Maintain and oversee the Healthcare Peer Review Reporting System to ensure timely and accurate reporting of incidents and occurrences.
• Analyze trends and data to identify actual and potential risks, determining root causes and facilitating appropriate interventions.
• Refer incidents to relevant departments or medical committees; escalate Level III/IV occurrences to the Peer Review Committee.
• Conduct risk surveys and safety inspections in collaboration with the hospital’s Environment of Care (EOC) Committee.
• Investigate product-related issues and coordinate appropriate responses, including record-keeping and reporting protocols.
• In cases of patient injury, work with Corporate Risk Management to determine defense strategy and appropriate legal actions.

Risk Reduction & Prevention

• Collaborate with department leaders and medical staff to design and implement system changes that reduce risk and enhance patient safety.
• Develop and support risk-reduction and loss-prevention programs that positively impact clinical care.
• Work closely with the Patient Advocate to evaluate complaints with potential legal implications and recommend appropriate resolutions.
• Assess liability exposure, determine the likelihood of legal actions, and identify high-risk practices to inform preventive strategies.
• Serve as a key resource for addressing complex treatment issues such as informed consent, HIPAA violations, patient refusals, and discharges Against Medical Advice (AMA), in consultation with the Administrator, Corporate Legal Counsel, and Corporate Risk Management.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of experience in Quality and Risk Management, preferably in a psychiatric or behavioral health setting.
• Knowledge & Skills:
• Strong working knowledge of JCAHO standards, State of Alaska regulations, CMS guidelines, and other relevant federal/state compliance frameworks.
• Exceptional analytical, investigative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with interdisciplinary teams and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in Risk Management (e.g., CPHRM)
• Experience working in a psychiatric or behavioral health facility

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