Description
The Office of Undergraduate Medical Education in the Cumming School of Medicine is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Quality Improvement & Accreditation Lead.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Undergraduate Medical Education, with accountabilities to the Associate Dean, UME, and the Director, Quality Improvement & Accreditation, the Quality Improvement & Accreditation Lead, will support the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) in pursuing its strategic goals by managing all aspects of the undergraduate medical education accreditation and continuous quality improvement process. The Lead is responsible for overseeing both the internal review process and the external accreditation of the Undergraduate Medical Education Program (UME) for external accreditation bodies, as well as continuous quality improvement outside the scope of accreditation. The position oversees the collection and accuracy of data for internal and external accreditation reports.
The Lead will play a pivotal role in ensuring the institution's compliance with national accreditation standards, while spearheading innovative projects to enhance the quality of medical education and research. The Lead will be responsible for overseeing the preparation and submission of accreditation materials, managing communications with accrediting agencies, and coordinating self-assessment processes to drive continuous quality improvement.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Oversee the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) accreditation and review process for the Undergraduate Medical Education program:
- Provide leadership and direction to the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) in order to meet accreditation standards as outline by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS)
- Maintain an in-depth knowledge of all existing and emerging accreditation standards
- Manage all internal and external accreditation processes for the UME program
- Provide guidance, advice and interpretation of the requirements for the accreditation standards and the data collection instrument (DCI), as well as the medical school self-study (MSS) and the independent student analysis
- Coordinate the collection of data for the accreditation DCI from a variety of stakeholders at all levels (Associate/Assistant deans, faculty, senior managers, Clerkship Directors, health authority contacts, staff, students). Review data for accuracy and omissions
- Review and analyze both the qualitative and quantitative data collected from a variety of sources (i.e., Canadian Graduate Questionnaire, the Independent Student Survey, school-generated reports, focus group sessions, the DCI, other evaluation tools used by the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), etc.). Prepares detailed reports based on this analysis for leadership, committees and task forces as required
- Ensure appropriate membership is established for accreditation committees and task forces. Provide support to committees and task forces as required
- Ensure timely preparation and review of the data collection instrument and self-study documents
- Oversee plans for itinerary for internal surveys, external reviews and accreditation site visits
- Provide support and guidance to the Dean, Senior Associate Dean, Education and the Associate Dean, UME to ensure accreditation standards are reviewed on a regular basis and to identify any areas of non-compliance
Oversee and drive continuous improvement initiatives within Undergraduate Medical Education. The Lead will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing quality improvement programs and processes to enhance the overall quality of education, research, and clinical services provided by the medical school:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive quality improvement plan in alignment with the medical school's strategic goals and objectives
- Identify areas for improvement within the medical school's operations, curriculum, research activities, and clinical services
- Establish quality metrics, benchmarks, and key performance indicators to measure and monitor the effectiveness of quality improvement initiatives
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and stakeholders to promote a culture of continuous improvement and excellence
- Conduct regular audits, assessments, and reviews to identify opportunities for enhancing processes and practices
- Lead and support quality improvement projects, working closely with cross-functional teams to implement changes and drive results
- Provide training and guidance to staff members on quality improvement methodologies, tools, and best practices
Lead special projects from inception to implementation for the Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) program. This will include having key leadership roles, fostering innovative strategic approaches for the Cumming School of Medicine:
- Lead and manage special projects within the undergraduate medical education program, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Develop project plans, timelines, and milestones, and monitor progress to ensure successful completion
- Collaborate with program leadership to develop and implement strategic plans for special projects that align with the program's overall goals and objectives. Identify opportunities for improvement and innovation within the program and propose new projects to address these opportunities
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to ensure that projects meet the needs of all stakeholders. Collaborate with various departments and individuals to gather input, secure resources, and facilitate project implementation
Administrative Priorities:
- Provide senior level administrative assistance to the UME leadership and other committees, including but not limited to managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and handling correspondence to ensure efficient operations
- Prepare confidential correspondence on behalf of the UME leadership and assists in drafting, reviewing, editing and/or revising letters that require the Associate Deans signature
- Ensure a high degree of confidentiality, demonstrates discretion, professionalism, and good judgment in dealing with sensitive matters and in all communications
- Exercise discretionary decision making, based on sound judgment within prescribed policies
- Liaise with other University departments and offices such as the Office of the Provost, Executive Suite and Post Graduate Education Program, to obtain information in support of Undergraduate Medical Education objectives and projects
- Carry out oral and written directives from the UME leadership and Senior Manager
- Assist in the planning and execution of academic initiatives and special projects, ensuring timelines are met and resources are effectively utilized
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree required, preferably in business administration, quality management or a related fields
- Five years of relevant experience including leadership, consultant or management roles and quality improvement roles within healthcare, medical education, or a related field
- Strong knowledge of quality improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, PDCA, and PDSA
- Knowledge of undergraduate medical education
- Familiarity with project and change management an asset
- Expert interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Highly organized; ability to analyze and assimilate data for document preparation
- Experience in policy development and report generation
- Strong background in regulatory compliance and/or experience working with undergraduate medical education accreditation standards
- Working knowledge and understanding of operations in the University environment and clinical training healthcare settings
- Serve as a collaborative team leader, independent problem solver, and decision maker while maintaining an elevated level of confidentiality
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and University endorsed survey tools (Qualtrics)
- Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and facilitate change in a complex organizational environment
Application Deadline: June 16, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
