Becoming a QI Coach

The Role of QI Coach

A QI Coach assists the I-QIPS by coaching and mentoring teams and/or trainees conducting improvement projects at their respective clinical site. QI Coaches may be assigned to provide small-group coaching during training courses offered by the I-QIPS, with more experienced QI Coaches also assigned to provide customized coaching to trainees/I-QIPS learners between course sessions.

All QI Coaches receive faculty development training from the I-QIPS to advance their improvement capability and continually enhance their skills in successfully coaching and facilitating individuals and QI project teams, while also supporting in parallel the implementation of improvement strategies being conducted throughout the College and affiliated institutions.

Further, qualified I-QIPS QI Coaches may be invited to participate as course facilitators (e.g., master teacher, course faculty, instructor) for select QI training courses, depending on their indicated interests and observed/demonstrated levels of experience.

Participation Requirements

Given the primary nature of a QI Coach's role in providing coaching and guidance to individuals and/or project teams engaged in QI education, innovation, or research projects, interested candidates must be able to commit to the responsibilities described below, should their application be selected.

By submitting a QI Coach Application, the applicant is confirming their commitment to ALL participation requirements, as follows:

• Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Complete Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosures upon request by the BCM Division of Continuing Professional Development (DCPD) (formerly the Office of CME). In collaboration with the DCPD, continuing education (CE) credit is offered for select QI training courses provided by the I-QIPS. For this reason and in alignment with ACCME reaccreditation requirements, all individuals with teaching and/or coaching responsibilities for any I-QIPS training course must have a current COI Disclosure on file with the DCPD prior to the start date of any course with which they will be assisting.

  To prevent any eligibility issues with participating in a course, each QI Coach and Course Facilitator is responsible for ensuring their timely and complete submission of any requested disclosures by the requested deadlines.

• Ongoing Training: Per academic year, attend at least 1 - 2 faculty development sessions offered by the I-QIPS.

  Note: All new I-QIPS QI Coaches are also required to attend a I-QIPS QI Coach Training/Orientation Session prior to participating as a QI Coach for any I-QIPS QI training course. This training/orientation session may be applied toward one of the faculty development sessions required per academic year.

• Personalized Coaching: Per academic year, provide personalized coaching (as assigned*) to at least one (1) of the following groups engaged in QI work at the coach's respective clinical site: project team, trainees/I-QIPS learners, or faculty.

  For example, a QI Coach may be assigned to 1 - 2 trainees/I-QIPS learners to provide them with personalized coaching between course sessions throughout the term of the course, providing guidance on the learners' respective improvement projects and course assignments, in preparation for subsequent course sessions. The scheduling of these personalized coaching meetings are coordinated directly between the QI Coach and their assigned project team, trainee/I-QIPS learner, or faculty.

  *Note: Personalized coaching assignments are determined by the I-QIPS, based on a QI Coach's indicated interests and observed level of experience.

• Workshop Coaching: Per academic year, provide workshop coaching for at least one (1) training course offered by the I-QIPS, by assist as a QI Coach for at least two (2) assigned* sessions (not including Session 1) of the same training course.

  For example, a QI Coach leads breakout activities (as directed by the course director) during their assigned sessions to provide small-group coaching to the learners on the learners' improvement projects in relation to the course content being discussed during the respective session. In advance of each assigned session, QI Coaches are provided with the respective session materials and facilitator notes for their reference in guiding the discussions intended for their assigned breakout sessions.

*Note: Session assignments for workshop coaching are determined by the I-QIPS, based on a QI Coach's indicated sessions of interests, as well as in coordination with the collective availability of all QI Coaches assisting with the given course.

Application Process and Eligibility Criteria

I-QIPS QI Coaches are selected via a formal application process. When applications are open, a "Call for Coaches" announcement is posted above, as well as announced through various communication venues across the College.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In order for an application to be eligible for consideration, it must be fully complete at the time of submission, received by the designated application deadline, and from a qualified candidate.

Qualified candidates include those who: 1) have completed a FORMAL QI PROJECT (from conception through implementation) AND 2) who meet at least one (1) of the following conditions:

• Have at least one (1) year of PROVEN EXPERIENCE in coaching or consulting individuals or project teams on improvement projects


• Have successfully completed FORMAL QI TRAINING (intermediate-level to advanced-level training required). For example, the successful completion of the following I-QIPS QI training courses would satisfy this requirement: QI Jump Start course (intermediate level) and/or the Leading Healthcare Improvement (LHI) course (advanced level). Successful completion of the Advanced Quality Improvement (AQI) Program offered by Texas Children's Hospital also may be considered.

SELECTION DECISIONS

Interested candidates who meet the criteria described are considered eligible to submit an application. However, the criteria serve only as a general guideline. Please be advised that meeting the noted criteria does not guarantee application selection.

Eligible applications are carefully considered through a holistic review process. Many factors are considered and taken into account when evaluating each application, including its assessment in the context of the entire applicant pool.