JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title:Director of Health Care Informatics

Position summary: Directs and manages the development and implementation of clinical programs in health care informatics for physicians, housestaff and medical students, as well as the general clinical information needs of the Clinical System programs and services.  Develops and directs programs to provide clinical information so as to improve the work-flow of patient care. Reports to the Associate Hospital Director for Operations (COO).

Responsibilities:

1. In collaboration with the Associate Hospital Director, provides leadership and strategic direction for medical informatics programs for patient services and related projects.
   
   
2. Consults with and serves as an interface with the medical staff and appropriate committees for the purpose of insuring coordination in systems planning, development and implementation between the Clinical System, the Information Services Division (ISD), other schools, and appropriate external organizations.
   
   
3. Conducts assessments of the medical informatics environments, synthesizes pertinent information, and identifies implications for planning and development of both clinical services and educational programs, providing periodic structured environmental assessment and recommendations relative to future direction for medical informatics for the Clinical System.
   
   
4. In collaboration with Administration and the Medical Staff, responsible for identifying the needs of the Clinical System for education, training, programs and services in the area of computer skills and competencies in the use of electronic tools for patient care, quality management, utilization management, clinical resource management, and performance improvement initiatives.
   
   
5. Conducts ongoing technology assessment of medical information systems and products, related to identifying and meeting patient needs, Clinical System's programs, and potential external collaborations.
   
   
6. Conducts research in health care informatics. Disseminates findings at major national meetings and in published peer-reviewed journals.
   
   
7. Responsible for overall planning, development, and implementation of health care informatics programs, products and services, particularly to address the clinical needs of patients and to support the practice of clinical staff.
   
   
8. Responsible for assessing training and development needs of clinical staff in relation to electronic development of programs, products and services. Collaboratively develops curriculum for students and staff, designing and implementing programs to address needs.
   
   
9. Provides expert support to other departments in the development of clinical information systems, products and services responsive to current and future needs:
   
   
• Advises on all issues related to access and interface.
• Tracks and advises on industry standards for the clinical needs.
• In collaboration with appropriate staff, advises on prototype development, coordinates/conducts prototype, alpha and beta testing.
• Assists in communicating results of prototype development to vendors and appropriate staff.
• Serves as liaison with the staff and departments for the purpose of integrative program development with other programs and services of the medical college.
• Assists in developing product specifications including the application and functionality of software programs, software vendor requests for proposals, recruitment of vendors and evaluation of vendor's work.
• Assists in monitoring vendor's adherence to specifications, quality and effectiveness of vendor support.
  
  
10. Responsible for assessment of needs and implementation of strategies to link educational products, including practice guidelines, to practice-based electronic medical records systems.
    
    
11. Collaborates with the leadership and departments in the development of new and enhanced Web-based programs. Serves as the primary liaison for related activities and the overall integration of programs and products with hospital-wide electronic activities.
    
    
12. Serves as the staff liaison for Clinical Information Management System Steering Committee and other committees as designated. Generally serves on the same hospital committees as the CIO.
    
    
13. Responsible for budget and staffing for clinical IS applications.
    
    
14. Performs other duties as assigned.
    
    

Position qualifications and requirements

Professional/technical:

MD or doctoral level education required.  Extensive managerial experience in an academic setting involving the use of clinical information programs.  In depth knowledge and experience in computer use in hospitals.

Extensive knowledge of current medical information technology and applications.  Knowledge of RFP and grant development.

Analytical:

Must possess strong program development skills in order to develop innovative clinical informatics.  Must be able to analyze and assess needs in medical informatics and education programs.

Control:

Must have demonstrated capabilities in developing collaborative approach to program development.  Establishes policies and procedures, supervises installation of programs.

Communication:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential to provide technical, medical and educational leadership to all staff.  Must be able to communicate effectively the capabilities and limitations of information technologies.

Competency Based Position Description

Competency Based Position Description

Competency Based Performance Standards

1. Standard: Leadership

   Has the ability to provide leadership and strategic direction for health care informatics programs, projects and services in support of the Clinical System's mission and goals.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Identifies opportunities for the development of new programs and services that support the mission and goals of the institution.
2. Resolves conflict situations and establishes cooperative working relationships.
3. Provides subordinates with meaningful and accurate feedback on their performance.
4. Completes annual performance reviews on support staff and others as indicated by reporting relationships.
5. Initiates innovative ways to solve problems.
6. Develops and maintains objectives and timetables.
7. Supports the academic and research mission of the Clinical System through networking with academic programs at the medical college and at other academic institutions.
8. Assists in the development and maintenance of the information services strategic plan for the Clinical System.
9. Keeps the senior administration informed of developments in the field of information services.
10. Responsible for identifying the needs of the Clinical System for education, training, programs and services in the area of computer skills and competencies in the use of electronic tools for patient care, quality management, utilization management, clinical resource management, and performance improvement initiatives.



2. Standard: Planning

   Has the ability to analyze resources and environment appropriate to scope of responsibility and design a course of action consistent with Clinical System mission and strategic plan.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Sets realistic objectives, establishes priorities and systematically plans work.
2. Evaluates new and existing programs and services in relation to their value and efficacy.
3. Ensures that budgets for personnel, supplies and equipment for areas of responsibility are conservative and realistic.
4. Seeks opportunities to enhance revenues and/or contain or reduce costs.
5. Provides periodic structured environmental assessments and recommendations on the future direction for health care informatics in the Clinical System.
6. Responsible for overall planning, development, and implementation of health care informatics programs, products and services, particularly to addresses the clinical needs of patients and to support the practice of clinical staff.
7. Responsible for assessment of needs and implementation of strategies to link educational products, including practice guidelines, to practice-based electronic medical records systems.
8. Collaborates with leadership and departments in the development of new and enhanced Web-based programs. Serves as the primary liaison for related activities and the overall integration of programs and products with clinical system-wide electronic activities.



3. Standard: Organization

   Has the ability to organize and identify systems/mechanisms of support for plans developed for achieving organizational goals and objectives.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Effectively organizes programs and functional activities in areas of responsibility.
2. Demonstrates ability to appropriately delegate responsibility and authority.
3. Ensures adequate controls and communication mechanisms are established when tasks and duties are delegated.



4. Standard: Staff selection

   Has the ability to recruit, select and retain staff who are compatible with the mission, vision and values of the Clinical System and are able to further the same.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Make sound decisions in selecting new support staff and others as indicated by reporting relationships.
2. Demonstrates knowledge of institutional personnel policies and hiring process.



5. Standard: Staff development

   Has the ability to develop staff, enhancing the human resources component of the Clinical System in support of the mission, vision and strategic plan.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Provides adequate opportunities and resources for developing the skills and abilities of the Health Care Department staff.
2. Develops and encourages effective working relationships between staff as well as between information technology users in different departments.
3. Responsible for assessing the training and development needs of clinical staff in relation to electronic development of programs, products and services. Collaboratively develops curriculum for students and staff, designing and implementing programs to address needs.



6. Standard: Knowledge of field

   Has a comprehensive knowledge base in health care informatics, reflecting an understanding of historic, current and future trends in the field as well as the necessary managerial techniques and skills to apply that knowledge. In addition, understands the developing roles of the various professionals and paraprofessionals and the necessary integration of these into an organization that supports the Clinical System mission, goals and objectives.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Understands and executes duties with minimal direction.
2. Maintains professional knowledge and skills within own field.
3. Incorporates knowledge of patient/family centered philosophy into planning/operational responsibilities.
4. Conducts assessments of the health care informatics environments, synthesizes pertinent information and identifies implications for planning and development of both clinical and educational programs.
5. Conducts ongoing technology assessment of medical information systems and products, related to identifying and meeting patient needs, Clinical System's programs, and potential external collaborations.



7. Standard: Communication

   Has the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form to a widely diverse audience ranging from unskilled personnel to highly trained and experienced professionals.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Effectively communicates to staff, departments and the public in a manner that is service oriented and courteous.
2. Demonstrates oral and written communication skills that are clear and constructive.
3. Provides timely communications.
4. Effectively communicates directives and constructive criticisms.
5. Consults with and serves as an interface with the medical staff and appropriate committees and teams for the purpose of insuring coordination in systems planning, development and implementation between the Clinical System, the Information Services Division (ISD), other schools and appropriate external organizations.



8. Standard: Team member

   Has the ability to participate as a team member fostering collaborative decision making among committees, teams or work groups of diverse composition whose charge or task is to further the Clinical System mission, goals and objectives.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Initiates multidisciplinary groups, as appropriate, when involved in program development or problem solving activities.
2. Seeks advice from team members when problem solving.
3. Serves on committees and teams of the Clinical System, the College or other groups as requested and appropriate.
4. Attends staff meetings and seeks opportunities to contribute and participate.
5. Provides expert support to other departments in the development of clinical information systems, products and services responsive to current and future needs:
• Advises on all issues related to access and interface.
• Tracks and advises on industry standards for the clinical needs.
• In collaboration with appropriate staff, advises on prototype development, coordinates/conducts prototype, alpha and beta testing.
• Assists in communicating results of prototype development to vendors and appropriate staff.
• Serves as liaison with the staff and departments for the purpose of integrative program development with other programs and services of the Medical college.
• Assists in developing product specifications including the application and functionality of software programs, software vendor requests for proposals, recruitment of vendors and evaluation of vendor's work.
• Assists in monitoring vendor's adherence to specifications, quality and effectiveness of vendor support.



9. Standard: Project management

   Has the ability to serve as project manager on specific assignments, including facilitating and coordinating the activities of multiple work groups, teams or organizational units.

Evaluative Criteria:

1. Facilitates completion or progress of project.
2. Coordinates meetings between departments, users, campus functions and/or project architect.
3. Resolves conflicts, problems and issues that arise during planning and implementation phases.
4. Manages projects in accordance with established timelines and budgets.
5. Integrates the facility planning functions with the program and operational planning.



10. Standard: Research
1. Conducts research in health care informatics.
2. Disseminates findings at major national meetings and in published peer-reviewed journals.

If anyone would like to contribute another sample job description, please contact me at my_last_name@informatics-review.com

© 1999 The Informatics Review

dfs 29 Oct. 1999