Organizations that undergo multiple and sustained successful changes are fortunate to have a valuable leader, called an Improvement Advisor. The Improvement Advisor is devoted to helping identify, plan, and execute improvement projects throughout the organization, deliver successful results, and spread changes across the entire system.

Where do Improvement Advisors come from? Currently, individuals with the necessary skills to serve as Improvement Advisors are rare. Most health care organizations turn to internal or external resources for improvement leadership, but in many cases there is no one who has the required training, expertise, and support to fully succeed in the role. To effectively meet the demands of the job, Improvement Advisors need more than just experience and interest in improvement work. They need a solid foundation, as well as advanced knowledge and skills in the art and science of improvement and the ability to work with and coach front-line teams in achieving and maintaining successful changes.

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), in conjunction with Associates in Process Improvement (API), has designed a richly packed nine-month training and support program to help health care Improvement Advisors develop and enhance their skills. The goal of this program is for participants to become highly effective leaders in helping their organization accomplish strategic improvement plans.