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Quality improvement specialist vs contractor/consultant

The differences between quality improvement specialists and contractor/consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a contractor/consultant has an average salary of $84,811, which is higher than the $67,474 average annual salary of a quality improvement specialist.

The top three skills for a quality improvement specialist include performance improvement, quality improvement and data collection. The most important skills for a contractor/consultant are healthcare, post implementation, and data analysis.

Quality improvement specialist vs contractor/consultant overview

Quality Improvement SpecialistContractor/Consultant
Yearly salary$67,474$84,811
Hourly rate$32.44$40.77
Growth rate28%11%
Number of jobs80,50464,573
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a quality improvement specialist do?

A Quality Improvement Specialist in the healthcare system ensures all data and information from patients are correctly handled and coordinates care to the patient. It is the quality improvement specialist's job to ensure that patients get the quality care they needed by creating, developing, and implementing policies set in a medical facility to help patients. A quality improvement specialist must know how to use office-related computer programs, preferably have a degree in the health or medical field, and have good organizational skills.

What does a contractor/consultant do?

A contractor is a self-employed businessperson who agrees to work for a fixed price. His/her job involves the evaluation of clients' needs and actual performance of work. On the other hand, a consultant is a skilled independent businessperson who provides expert teaching and training in a specific market by assisting existing staff for the improvement of operations, problem-solving, and development of strategies. His/her role is to assess clients' needs and provide expert advice and opinion. However, both individuals are not employees, since they came from outside of the organization to perform such services.

Quality improvement specialist vs contractor/consultant salary

Quality improvement specialists and contractor/consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Quality Improvement SpecialistContractor/Consultant
Average salary$67,474$84,811
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $96,000Between $58,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew Jersey
Best paying companyTechnipFMCCerner
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between quality improvement specialist and contractor/consultant education

There are a few differences between a quality improvement specialist and a contractor/consultant in terms of educational background:

Quality Improvement SpecialistContractor/Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorNursingBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Quality improvement specialist vs contractor/consultant demographics

Here are the differences between quality improvement specialists' and contractor/consultants' demographics:

Quality Improvement SpecialistContractor/Consultant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 24.8% Female, 75.2%Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between quality improvement specialist and contractor/consultant duties and responsibilities

Quality improvement specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage action planning as it relates to the RCA process.
  • Design, run, and manage the HEDIS data review process/claim encounters to ensure accuracy and integrity of data.
  • Lead company-wide preparation for NCQA accreditation.
  • Assist organization in achieving strategic quality/resource consumption goals and JCAHO accreditation.
  • Design and manage an internal SharePoint site utilize compliance with RESPA guidelines
  • Manage investigations using applicable methodology focuse on root cause analysis and CAPA identification / implementation.
  • Show more

Contractor/consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage design and development of cloud-base billing application for streamlining payroll and invoicing, as well as offering real-time business analytics.
  • Assist PMO in defining project scope, task and budget, collaborating closely with developers.
  • Bill and provide appropriate documentation to submit reimbursement for services to appropriate insurance to include Medicaid, Medicare, etc.
  • Motivate and ensure SME team member engagement in projects.
  • Provide Linux server setup, documentation, and internal support.
  • Develop and implement SQL store procedures and DTS packages to process client billing data.
  • Show more

Quality improvement specialist vs contractor/consultant skills

Common quality improvement specialist skills
  • Performance Improvement, 8%
  • Quality Improvement, 7%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Patient Safety, 5%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
Common contractor/consultant skills
  • Healthcare, 30%
  • Post Implementation, 25%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 3%
  • Medicaid, 3%

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