Director - Risk Management

Job description

Position Overview
Entity: UA Health Services Foundation
Benefits and perks available for eligible positions include: robust educational assistance programs, generous paid time off, employee assistance and wellness programs, paid parental leave, qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, plus more.
Job Description
To support the UAB Medicine clinical risk management program. This position works collaboratively with senior risk leaders, legal counsel, physicians, clinicians and staff to investigate, analyze, and respond to clinical and non-clinical events that pose potential liability to patient safety and organizational risk. To monitor and advise on risk trends, support aligned risk team members, and help implement system-level improvements to mitigate risk and enhance patient safety. To contribute to system-wide efforts to proactively assess and address organizational risks through participation in cross-functional initiatives, policy reviews, and risk mitigation strategies beyond event based response. This role supports UAB Medicine entities covered under the professional liability self-insurance trust.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
• Supports and leads aligned risk managers and staff with case review, event investigation, and documentation.
• Oversees the lifecycle of clinical risk files, including opening, maintaining, and closing. Conduct or assist in investigations of safety events, sentinel events, and potential liability incidents.
• Coordinates risk assessments related to procedures, technologies, or clinical practices.
• Participates in on-call rotation for risk management coverage (nights, weekends, holidays)
• Provides real-time support during clinical events involving potential harm.
• Collaborates with leadership and legal to escalate and manage high-risk incidents.
• Assists with the collection and organization of documentation for litigation response.
• Coordinates preparation of case timelines, summaries, and internal reports for use by legal counsel.
• Helps prepare materials for Claims and Policy Committees in collaboration with senior risk leaders.
• Identifies patterns and trends in risk events and recommend process improvements.
• Participates in multidisciplinary reviews of high-risk practices or new technologies.
• Assists in evaluating risk implications for new clinical programs, equipment, or workflows.
• Develops and present training to clinical and operational staff on risk-related topics.
• Promotes awareness of Just Culture, event reporting protocols, and safe care practices.
• Supports department-level coaching on effective communication and disclosure practices.
• Participates in cross-functional reviews of institutional risks and vulnerabilities.
• Assists in evaluating risk impacts of regulatory changes, partnerships, or operational shifts.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to strengthen system-wide controls and risk-informed decision-making.
• Serves as a liaison with the Office of Counsel, Patient Safety, Compliance, and operations.
• Coordinate with medical staff and leadership on clinical risk reviews and follow-up.
• Participate in committee meetings or special projects as requested.
• Support departmental initiatives that align with the mission of UAB Medicine.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in health care, legal studies, risk management, public health or related field required. Master’s degree preferred. Minimum 5 years of experience in clinical risk management, health care leadership/ administration, or health care quality/safety. Experience with RLDatix (or other risk reporting systems) preferred. CPHRM, ARM, or RN; or eligibility to obtain a risk-related credential within 12 months.
Why Work at UAB Medicine
We are UAB Medicine, Alabama’s largest and most comprehensive health system, recognized nationally for delivering world-class patient care, pioneering research, and cutting-edge medical education. We proudly serve more than 1.2 million patients each year – from every county in Alabama, all 50 states, and many countries around the world. Our network spans numerous hospitals, emergency departments, many other sites of care, and a team of over 2,000 physicians. Our key facilities include UAB Hospital – ranked the No. 1 hospital in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report and home to the state’s first ACS-verified Level I adult trauma center and only Magnet-designated hospital – along with UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye and five UAB St. Vincent’s hospitals serving central Alabama.
UAB Medicine offers careers across a wide range of practice environments, from our internationally renowned academic medical center and award-winning community hospitals to our primary and specialty care clinics across the state. Whether you’re seeking the fast-paced learning environment of a tertiary care setting or the close-knit environment of a community facility, there’s a place for you on our team where you can become part of a mission-driven organization committed to delivering life-changing care. With nearly every medical specialty represented and unlimited opportunities for growth, you’ll find the right fit for your skills and career goals. We care for you by offering comprehensive, industry-leading benefit packages to support the individual preferences and circumstances of our diverse staff.