Director of Application Services

Committed to the widespread adoption of information technology to enhance quality of care and improve patient safety. As a key member of our IS management team, the Applications Director will lead the design, development and support of software applications to help meet the strategic initiatives.

Specifically, the incumbent will directly oversee the day-to-day activities of system**s Application Services group, and will coordinate and manage the work of the Application Services Supervisors and team leads in four areas: Business Applications & Support, Clinical Applications & Support, Application Integration and Web Development.

Reporting to the CIO, the incumbent will plan, direct and assure timely rollout of clinical and business applications and enhancements, drawing on highly effective technical, interpersonal and negotiation skills as they interact with key stakeholders to ensure the effective standardization of information systems.

The individual will be responsible for developing strategic plans, assessing and recommending new applications, developing and implementing policies, programs and schedules for clinical, business and financial applications to accomplish organizational goals and objectives. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communications skills and have experience working effectively with clinicians and physicians.

Job responsibilities will include implementation plans and timelines; organizing and leading clinical and business advisory team meetings; and fostering collaborative processes and standards development between participants.

The IS Director, Applications Services will interface effectively with the IS Administrative Director (Technology Services) to assure appropriate integration of clinical applications and to achieve seamless, real time access to clinical and business information across the health system.

S/he will act as the IS liaison to a range of administrative and clinical departments, serving as an internal consultant to these areas and actively contributing to the formation and execution of the overall Health System vision.

S/he will be responsible for the operating and capital budgets associated with the assigned projects, systems, and staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

** Direct responsibility for Business Applications & Support, Clinical Applications & Support, Application Integration, and Web Development

** Works with management and staff to determine appropriate IT solutions to complex business issues, including identifying opportunities to improve clinical and business operations through the use of new or different technology

** Serves as liaison between the user communities and Information Systems, insuring the proper planning, communication and coordination of all efforts

** Adheres to project management methodologies and assists in the overall IS utilization of these methodologies

** Develops and manages group and project operational and capital budgets. Insures that proposed budgets effectively represent fiscal needs of projects and the overall BHS goals. Monitors budget throughout the fiscal year, keeping projects on time and on budget, proposing innovative solutions to address budget issues as needed

** Works closely with administrative, clinical, and operations departments to ensure business needs are met through our applications infrastructure.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

** Bachelor**s degree in a health profession field or information/computer science with healthcare experience. Masters degree in business or systems field preferred. Commensurate experience will be considered

** Five or more years applications or applications service delivery experience in a complex healthcare environment with project management experience commensurate to this position

** Must have at least 3 years of significant management experience in a complex healthcare environment. Experience in the role of IS Director/IS Manager for a medium/large hospital system preferred

** Experience with the selection, implementation and support of hospital and ambulatory EMRs preferred

** Proven track record of accomplishments implementing clinical systems such as nursing documentation, eMAR, bedside medication verification, CPOE, hospital EHR portals, physician practice EMRs, decision support systems and so on

** Demonstrated awareness and understanding of current and emerging trends, technologies and vendors in healthcare information systems

** Proven experience managing a budget of greater than $2M

** Proven experience managing a staff of 15+ employees and additional consultants or temporary help.

** Direct supervisory and staff development experience; experience managing the professional development of direct and indirect reports

** Demonstrated knowledge and skills in effectively allocating staff and resources in the support of the applications and their deployment

** Demonstrated critical thinking and decision-making skills

** Demonstrated leadership experience

** Strong interpersonal skills

** Proven ability to manage multiple levels of staff and projects in both a direct and matrix reporting environment.

** Experience with related software application project implementations inclusive of design and development and/or selection, software testing, user training, go live and ongoing 24 x 7 support of users and the application, and management of enhancements and upgrades

** Excellent verbal and written communication skills with all levels of organization, most notably with senior level executives

** Demonstrated excellence in navigating complex community/political landscapes and understanding the influence of the market/industry position on individual sites as well as the whole of the Health System

** Strong professional persona

** Demonstrated expertise in achieving consensus in highly charged arenas

** Excellent record of successfully solving complex problems across diverse departments and domains both internal and external to IS

** Demonstrated commitment to delivery of high quality customer service

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

** Models and promotes the BHS mission to provide high quality, accessible healthcare, showing compassion and respect to those we serve

** Manifests a leadership style that embraces the BHS Employee Standards of Behavior

** Demonstrates a clear understanding of healthcare computer applications and corresponding support requirements

** Possesses strong written, verbal, and presentation skills

** Exhibits personal drive and ability to see projects through to execution in a complex corporate environment

** Strong analytical skills in budgeting, planning, and policy development and maintenance