Program Specialist - Duke Quality Network

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

The Duke Quality Network (DQN) provides support and expertise to achieve excellence in quality, safety, performance improvement, and regulatory alignment across affiliated hospitals and partners. The DQN advances high-reliability principles, strengthens clinical outcomes, enhances patient experience, and supports sustainable operational performance across the system.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Specialist, Duke Quality Network, provides comprehensive programmatic, operational, and administrative support across all DQN initiatives. This role supports the development, coordination, and deployment of quality, safety, performance improvement, and educational programs - including, but not limited to, the DQN Quality System.

This position requires strong organizational capability, sound judgment, analytical thinking, and a proactive, customer-focused approach. The Program Specialist serves as a key operational partner to DQN teammates, leadership, and affiliated hospitals, ensuring that initiatives are well-coordinated, professionally executed, and aligned with strategic objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program & Operational Support

• Coordinate and support implementation of initiatives across all DQN programs.
• Provide operational support (logistics, materials and resources) including, but not limited to preparation for presentations, event planning, and coordination of Quality Oversight Committee and other quality committees, as applicable.
• Provide administrative and operational support for deployment and sustainment of the DQN Quality System.
• Serve as primary contact for continuing education activities including applying for CME credits, scheduling and program management of webinars, observerships, shadowing, and other relevant educational activities.
• Track program milestones, timelines, deliverables, and follow-up actions to ensure successful execution.
• Support quality oversight programs and affiliated clinical initiatives to ensure alignment with Duke standards and contractual obligations.
• Monitor program status and proactively identify risks, gaps, or process improvement opportunities.
• Exercise sound judgment in prioritizing competing demands and escalating issues appropriately.

Presentation & Executive Support

• Develop, format, and refine professional presentations for executive, clinical, and operational audiences.
• Prepare briefing materials, meeting agendas, reports, dashboards, and summary documents.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, concise written and visual communication.
• Support preparation for DQN hospital presentations, leadership reviews, and committee meetings, including coordination of virtual meeting technology.

Logistics & Event Coordination

• Plan and coordinate meetings, workshops, seminars, leadership forums, and network-wide events.
• Manage email contact lists, complex calendars and scheduling across multiple stakeholders and institutions.
• Coordinate venue arrangements (virtual and in-person), materials, communications, and participant logistics.
• Ensure seamless execution of programs through proactive planning, attention to detail, and contingency management.
• Assist with travel coordination and vendor engagement as appropriate.

Stakeholder Engagement & Customer Service

• Maintain liaison relationships with DQN hospitals, Duke University Health System departments, and external partners to advance program objectives.
• Serve as a responsive, professional point of contact for program-related inquiries.
• Demonstrate a strong customer-focused mindset, anticipating needs and ensuring a high level of service and follow-through.
• Build collaborative relationships across interdisciplinary teams to support success.

Administrative & Financial Support

• Assist in preparation of budgets and monitor expenditures as appropriate.
• Draft, proofread, and edit correspondence, memoranda, and formal communications.
• Maintain documentation systems, shared files, and program records in accordance with organizational standards.
• Prepare and process expenses, schedule meetings, and serve as partner/back-up to Administrative Specialist.

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program with one year of experience in program administration or event production.

-OR-

Two years of postsecondary education with three years of experience in program administration or event production.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Healthcare, quality, or network-based program support experience strongly preferred

• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint and Excel)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical ability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment
• Strong work ethic and accountability
• Detail-oriented with commitment to accuracy and follow-through
• Customer-focused approach with ability to anticipate stakeholder needs
• Experience with expense monitoring and administrative systems preferred

• Position can work onsite, hybrid or remote first, however, physical presence at the office may be required as directed by supervisor and based upon business need.
• Physical abilities to complete job duties under prescribed environmental and working conditions

Individual should have the ability to be flexible and adaptable in a changing work environment