Patient Safety Specialist

Home to seven regional programs and comprehensive health-care services, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) is committed to meeting the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond.

WRHN is redefining the health-care experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered community-driven health care.

At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities. By listening to patients and partners, we strive to connect communities to the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.

Position Vacancy: Quality Assurance

Position: Full Time Patient Safety Specialist - (This is an existing vacancy)

Posting Period: September 18, 2026 – September 25, 2026

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday

Location: WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital, KW Campus)

Position Summary:

The Patient Safety Specialist possesses expert knowledge and skills to provide support, education/ training, and coaching/ mentorship to hospital clinical programs and services related to patient safety, to meet the strategic goals of the organization, achieve operational efficiencies, and make sustainable change. While performing the functions of this role, the incumbent takes into consideration external and internal drivers in determining actions to provide high quality, safe services. The incumbent contributes to ensuring a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Position Responsibilities:

• Providing advice, support, and consultation to internal shareholders in response to patient safety related inquiries/ incidents
• Developing, implementing, and reviewing policies and processes required to improve patient safety within the organization
• Participating on committees and working groups providing a patient safety perspective
• Advising and coordinating projects related to patient safety and preventable harm utilizing quality improvement principles and tools
• Ensuring everyday readiness is embedded through various roles, functions, and structures in alignment with patient safety through Accreditation Canada ROPs
• Investigating and facilitating the review of patient safety incidents (Quality of Care Reviews) including serious safety events, never events, and critical incidents, embedding Just Culture systems thinking to enhance patient safety
• Enhancing patient safety by compiling reports, analyzing trends, identifying issues for action and working with teams to ensure follow up actions are completed, and assisting in communication of results
• Fostering a culture of safety reflected in Just Culture systems thinking through education, support, leadership, mentorship, and as a champion to enhance patient safety throughout the healthcare organization
• Implementing goals and action plans related to patient safety as outlined in our annual Quality Improvement, Strategic, Integrated, and Patient Safety Plans

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in Healthcare Management or a health related discipline required
• Current member of a regulated healthcare profession required
• Master’s Degree in Health Sciences, Quality Improvement, or Patient Safety preferred
• Certification in Patient Safety (CPPS) or other relevant education/ experience preferred
• 5 - 7 years of recent experience in an Accredited (Accreditation Canada) acute care hospital setting in a clinical capacity
• Experience in risk management, patient safety and/or quality improvement
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and professional development
• Experience with data collection, measurement, and interpretation techniques translated into appropriate methods for end-users
• Proven ability to research, interpret, and apply evidence-informed practices/ legislation/ research to enhance patient safety through policy and procedures
• Expertise in facilitation and coordination of investigations related to patient safety incidents through Quality of Care Reviews, ensuring thorough documentation, monitoring, and follow-up on corrective actions/recommendations. (e.g. RCA, FMEA, human factors principles)
• Proven champion in patient safety demonstrated through program developments, enhancement of services for patient care, and integration of innovative safety projects/ concepts
• Application and knowledge of Just Culture systems thinking, Canadian Incident Analysis Framework, Human Factors principles, IHI initiatives, Ontario Health programs and other innovative safety practices
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills including demonstrated expertise in meeting and group facilitation
• Exceptional change management, critical thinking, problem solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals across various departments to identify potential safety issues, analyze incidents, and promote a culture of safety within the organization
• Superior written communication skills demonstrated through creation of recommendations from Quality of Care Reviews, safety reports, and summaries (e.g. Patient Safety Initiatives, and Key Performance Indicators)
• Demonstrated computer literacy and proficiency including all Microsoft applications, Quality Improvement tools, and incident reporting software e.g. RLDatix
• Team-focused approach including engagement, flexibility, and an excellent attendance record

Application Instructions:

EMPLOYEES OF WRHN MIDTOWN & CHICOPEE ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION ELECTRONICALLY USING INFOR.

Attention Registered Nurses: Please provide a copy of your resume when applying to the position. Applications received without this information may not be considered.

Attention UNIFOR Members: Effective June 1, 2013, applications for postings outside a candidate’s home unit/department will not be considered if no résumé has been provided.

Where applicable, as per the collective agreement, the internal recruitment process will be completed prior to the consideration of external applications.

WRHN is committed to fair and equitable employment and in our recruitment and selection practices. We strongly believe in inclusion and diversity within our organization, and welcome all applicants including, but not limited to racialized communities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, Indigenous people, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community. We are committed to providing and fostering a respectful workplace for all employees, free from violence and harassment.

Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code. WRHN is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to provide an inclusive, barrier free workplace. We will accommodate the accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities to support participation in all aspects of the recruitment process. Should you require this accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

International Applicants

If you are seeking employment on a temporary work or study permit we recommend reviewing work permit restrictions as it applies to healthcare organizations in Canada. Individuals holding a work or study permit seeking employment in the healthcare sector may be required to complete additional steps in the process. This may also apply to current employees seeking renewal of their work permits. It is the accountability of the applicant and/or employee to ensure they are adhering to their specific work permit restrictions.