Vice President – Operations

Serves as the Vice President of Operations for the Houston Physician practices, providing administrative and managerial direction for the overall clinical, service, financial and operation performance. This position will partner with the Houston Regional Medical Director to provide leadership in all areas of performance and responsibility. This position is within a highly complex organization structure and will require the skills and behaviors of goal setting, performance monitoring & attainment, complex problem solving, coaching, multi-modal communication, relationship & network building and engagement/alignment with organizational strategy & tactics. Other essential duties will include:

• Directs the administrative operation through applicable directors and administrators
• Develops and implements operational and financial plans; ensures the efficiency and effectiveness of daily operations
• Responsible for physician compensation, personnel management and operational plans
• Works closely with physician leadership to meet the overall objectives of the System, Network and Group.
• Works closely with designated leaders in other departments (human resources, information services, finance, real estate services, coding, compliance, etc…) to insure optimum execution of operational and strategic initiatives
• Scope of responsibility includes 180 providers practicing in 45 sites

  
  REPORTS TO

• Divisional Vice President of Operations – Physician Enterprise
  DIRECT REPORTS
• Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Directors and Administrators
  
  KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• CHI St. Luke’s Health Texas Division hospitals, leadership teams, physicians and employees
• Baylor College of Medicine leadership teams, physicians and employees
• St. Luke’s Health Physician Enterprise leadership team, physicians and employees
• Community Relations: Boards; local, county, state government; and other health agencies
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  Partners, regional and national experts and vendors

  
  

  
  RESPONSIBILITIES

  
  

• Provide operational leadership to the development of the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group into an organized, effective and well-managed network of physician practices.
• Focus on physician engagement, alignment, retention strategies and to implement effective systems, processes and standards for the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group

• Responsible for supporting the Houston Medical Director in preparing for and running the monthly meeting with his/her Regional Medical Directors

• Responsible for insuring administrative support for the Regional Medical Directors in their quarterly meetings with their respective physicians.

• Achieve top quartile performance (as compared to national specialty benchmarks) in patient satisfaction

• Proactively pursues opportunities to improve the delivery of superior customer service

• Using a systematic approach, ensures practice management teams coordinate all practice functions to provide a smooth, integrated operation

• Utilizes Integrated Work Plan Process and Structures to drive identified improvement opportunities throughout the organization

• Utilizes lean principles and tools such as daily huddles for improvement in each practice empower each practice to identify and realize opportunities within their own practice

• Responsible for managing the Houston referral center to optimize network integrity as well as staff efficiency in making referral appointments

• Establishes and executes on bridge plans when operating performance falls short of budget

• Actively participates in the annual provider workforce planning process

• Manages the implementation process to expand and/or move practices to new sites

• Partners with the Houston Medical Director to ensure providers meet clinical hours, visit and patient panel growth targets

• Develop, implement and monitor clinic operating and capital expenditures

• Develop and analyze monthly statistical reporting of key operational performance measures and adjusts practice operations as needed to maintain peak performance

• Closely monitor A/R and ensuring practice staff are accurately performing registration, insurance verification and charge entry functions.

• Gives overall guidance and direction on annual budgets, financial pro formas and multi-year forecasts.

• Completes and manages all relevant capital equipment requests through the St. Luke’s Health process.

• Promotes staff development through performance evaluation, coaching, identifying development goals, and arranging educational opportunities that enhance and encourage continued professional growth among staff.

• Serves as a role model in all aspects of job performance and human relations skills, embodying the CHI culture of caring, commitment, integrity and teamwork.

• Responsible for maintaining positive relationships between and with physicians

• Systematically identifies and addresses issues identified by physicians.

• Responsible for maintaining positive relationships between BSLMG and CHI departments and Hospitals.

• Evaluates strategic business opportunities, monitors national and local trends, and maintains relationships within the community and with other health providers.

• Assess existing structures, services and providers to identify improvements and new innovative partnerships that are consistent with the mission, vision, values and strategic business objectives.

• Centralize and standardize the Texas 501(a) physician groups’ operations, processes, policies and procedures that contribute to the growth of and efficiency in the ambulatory care model.

• Develops and contributes to the development of innovative partnerships and programs as appropriate in conjunction with key stakeholders.

• Create an organization focused on patient-centered care, patient experience, safety, quality and seamlessness of care.

• Lead the implementation of best practices within practice operations to improve employee and patient satisfaction.

• Performs other job duties as required.

• 10 years of health care industry experience, 7 years within progressive management/leadership roles.

• M.H.A., M.B.A., or M.S. in healthcare administration, business administration, public health administration or a related field

• Accountability: Focuses on results and desired outcomes setting a climate of achievement; follows through on commitments; takes responsibility for actions; holds others accountable for goal attainment; ensures others deliver on commitments; takes action when responsibilities are not met.

• Innovation: Incorporates new methods or approaches to solving problems; cultivates alternative viewpoints; actively seeks varied perspectives when problem solving; develops a team that reflects the diversity of CHI St. Luke’s Health and CHI’s clients and employees; encourages diversity and sharing new ideas.

• Change Leadership: Accurately assesses the potential barriers and resources necessary for change; challenges the status quo and takes personal ownership for leading change that enhances the organization; inspires others to think positively about change.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Builds teamwork and participation; works together with others to bring out the best in everyone; provides team with useful, caring feedback for growth; leverages teams that work across the care continuum.

• Managing Performance Outcomes: Sets clear performance expectations with associated celebration and rewards; builds a high performance group with a focus on excellence and achievement orientation; recognizes individual achievements throughout the performance period; ensures others know how they are performing throughout the year.

• Coaching and Developing Others: Fosters professional and personal development; nurtures individual strengths and abilities to develop employee skill sets; provides feedback honestly, even when difficult.

• Inspirational Leadership: Articulates a compelling vision that promotes the goals that need to be attained and metrics for success; builds commitment to St. Luke’s and CHI’s healing ministry; communicates what needs to be accomplished for the vision to be realized; relates St. Luke’s and CHI’s legacy of care.

• Integrity and Spirituality: Is open and honest in all interactions; acts with moral wholeness, soundness, and truthfulness; demonstrates trust and respect for others; acts according to values and beliefs.

• Knowledge of the content, intent and application of regulations, policies, standards, operations, and requirements applicable to the business function(s) under designated scope of authority.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and tools of hospital/health system administration, strategic business planning, marketing communications, program development and continuous process performance improvement.

• Knowledge of due diligence practices relating to acquisitions, and potential new ventures, partnerships and alliances.

• Ability to convey information effectively in verbal and written communication, and through group business presentations and meetings.

• Ability to use automated systems applications software and office equipment at an acceptable level of proficiency.

• Ability to identify budget variances, compliance deficiencies and/or systemic weaknesses and implement timely corrective action to forestall or remedy.

• Ability to successfully lead, manage, oversee, develop and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.

• Ability to provide effective leadership and guidance to diverse work units.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, regulatory requirements and CHI SLH policies applicable to budget administration, financial management, employee supervision and performance management.

• Knowledge of health care reform initiatives and legal issues pertaining to health care.

• Knowledge of applied statistical modeling techniques and analytical tools processes.

• Ability to understand financial and/or operational reports, analyzes complex data, identify development improvement opportunities and implement effective responses.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by the duties of the position.

• Ability to strategize, develop and evaluate business plans, initiatives, standards, budgets, and policies procedures.

• Ability to keep abreast of trends, developments and regulatory requirements impacting matters within designated scope of authority.

• Builds Coalitions: Identifies and engages key partners in meaningful dialogue and decision making; demonstrates excellent communication skills and shares necessary information to build trust; crafts a compelling case for change and collaboration

• Operations Focus & System Understanding: Has a thorough understanding of operations in the various systems across the organization; leverages best practices, continuous improvement methodologies and data to improve facility processes; reduces redundancies and costs when possible; follows a structured, systematic work approach

• Managing more than one unit

• Turning around a failing unit

• Government Relations & Political Savvy: Harnesses state and national public policy to demonstrate understanding of legal shifts in health insurance and how these will influence facility functioning; develops and leverages relationships with key community figures

• Strategic View: Aligns facility practices and procedures with organizational strategy; recognizes broad implications of actions and anticipates outcomes; considers multiple alternatives before making decisions; capitalizes on opportunities; develops strategic alliances; mobilizes stakeholder groups to obtain St. Luke’s and CHI’s strategic goals

• Financial Business Savvy: Demonstrates a solid understanding of how the organization functions, across the continuum of care; recognizes cost inefficiencies; reduces redundancies to improve efficiency in clinical programs; sets realistic expense goals; considers costs and benefits when justifying capital expenditures; understands and is comfortable with matrix organizational structure; stays informed about changing payment models and systems and the impact to the services delivered; strong ability to manage by the numbers

• Presenting financial data to a board

• Using cost/benefit and other data analysis to assist with business planning

• Communication and Media Relations: Demonstrates an understanding of communication strategies and practices for effectively communicating the mission and the actions of St. Luke’s and CHI; savvy in responding to inquiries that emphasizes central messages and aligns with St. Luke’s and CHI’s goals; able to be appropriately transparent, timely and to provide a core message to critical issues and decisions; ensures staff speaks in one voice

  
  

  Related Experiences:

  
  

• Conducting press conferences

• Work in communications department