Director, Operations and Application Services - DCH Health System

Provides oversight for the Information Technology Operations and Application Services teams.  This position will be responsible for ensuring the following activities are handled effectively and efficiently: personnel management, budgeting, project management, Help Desk, IT systems operational activities, Interoperability, work order activities, system-wide applications implementation, and applications support & optimization.  Establishes and maintains a high performing staff to perform the required functions of the areas of responsibility.  Develops policies, procedures, and define standard operating procedures related to the use, management, and support of IT systems.  Manages the system selection process by working with the customer to develop RFPs, evaluate responses, coordinate site visits & reference calls, and assisting with the selection.  Ensures all projects assigned to area of responsibility meet all contractual obligations, key performance indicators/metrics, predetermined timelines, and within budget.  May be required to communicate with and provide project status reports, operational reports and IT Metrics to senior management.  Must be able to multi-task, perform all duties independently with strong prioritization skills, and be self-directed in utilizing resources to meet objectives.  Maintains a high level of standardization and consistency while providing adequate opportunities for team member growth and skill development.  Manages multiple resources and projects to effectively implement standard systems and services following Information Technology policies and procedures.  Provide CIO updates on all project statuses, department metrics, and participates on various committees as the IT liaison.

1. Oversees the Information Technology Operations and Application Services teams.
2. Responsible for systems evaluations, assessments, implementation, optimization, integration, support, and operations. Recommends solutions based on user requirements, organizational strategic objectives, and DCH/Healthcare Industry standards.
3. Develops and implement plans for information technology that effectively and economically meet current and anticipated future demands of users. Provides effective leadership in assessment and analysis efforts and all stages of implementation, support, operations and project management.
4. Develop, coordinate, guide and maintain IT operational plans in support of the overall clinical/patient-focused mission and business strategy. These plans define a vision for meeting current and future information and technology needs for the organization.
5. Works closely with CIO, Compliance and Legal to negotiate contracts with IT specific items, soliciting involvement and participation of other management team members as appropriate.
6. Establish appropriate service level agreements and monitor/measure performance to assure services levels are being met.
7. Establish key metrics for effectively managing areas of responsibility.
8. Ensure that enterprise information systems operate according to internal standards, external accrediting agency standards, and regulatory/legal requirements.
9. Oversees implementation of new applications, ongoing systems enhancements, file maintenance, testing, system monitoring, problem resolution, system configuration, and systems validation.
10. Responsible for defining the core competencies, ongoing training, and professional development for the managers and staff assigned to areas of responsibility. Manages staffing to meet department requirements, budgets and productivity. Hires, evaluates, counsels, mentors, schedules, disciplines, and terminates staff.
11. Demonstrates knowledge of fiscal responsibility by maintaining an efficient work environment and maintaining knowledge of and managing the departmental budget.
12. Serves as a leadership resource for all Information Technology tasks and projects.
13. Participates in budget and resource planning in Information Technology and as a resource to Information Technology customers.
14. Participates in on-call coverage as needed.
15. Develops processes to oversee and maintain the quality of services delivered by Information Technology.
16. Develops and maintains a collaborative working relationship with IT Management, staff, and operational leaders within the organization.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

1. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Health Science, or related discipline is required. Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Information Systems or related discipline is highly preferred.
2. A minimum of five years of experience with implementation and support for healthcare applications is required.
3. Demonstrated ability to work independently and sustain multiple simultaneous complex projects required.
4. Five (5) years of supervisory experience highly preferred.
5. Experience with Meditech and/or a health care EMR system is highly preferred.
6. Preferred Certifications/Licensures: Project Management Professional (PMP), current AL State licensure in healthcare related field.
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to make formal presentations required.
8. Exhibits strong interpersonal skills and management abilities to deal effectively with all levels of internal and external personnel.
9. Possesses expert personal computer skills with experience in applications implementation and project planning with a high level of knowledge of Information Technology and healthcare systems and processes.
10. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK CONTEXT

• Includes: Daily coordinate or lead Others, frequently deal with external customers, Frequent use of Electronic Mail, Frequent Face-to-Face discussions, demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating effectively with all types of personalities, Being responsible for outcomes/results.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• May require extended work hours and on-call coverage.
• Ability: Extent Flexibility, Gross Body Coordination, Gross Body Equilibrium
• Activities: talking, hearing, bending, twisting, walking, running, kneeling, crouching, stooping, balancing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motion, standing, and/or using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Requirements: Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.

OTHER JOB FACTORS

• Must have a valid Alabama driver’s license and the ability to travel to all Health System facilities.
• Abilities: Deductive reasoning, Inductive reasoning, written expression
• Work Styles: Analytical thinking, attention to detail, cooperation, dependability, independence, initiative, innovation, integrity, leadership, and self-control