Associate Chief Information Officer

Under direction of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Associate Chief Information Officer (ACIO) will provide the technological, informational vision and leadership for the organization. The ACIO will lead planning and implementation of enterprise information systems and programs that support both distributed and centralized clinical and business operations. The ACIO will develop these systems while ensuring compliance of patient health information for both State and Federal reporting requirements and overseeing Quality Assessment and Process Improvement efforts throughout the organization. The ACIO will lead an efficient, cost beneficial, quality focused enterprise-wide program as it relates to information technology. The ACIO will be responsible for executing the strategic vision for information and technology and ensuring that it effectively aligns with organizational vision and goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• IT Strategy Development: Develop and implement an IT strategy that aligns with the NEMS overall goals and objectives, ensuring it supports clinical, administrative, and operational needs.

• Collaborate with CIO and others to provide and execute strategic and tactical planning, development, and evaluation of the IT structure to provide excellent patient care.

• Leadership and Management: Provide leadership to the IT department, including mentoring and managing IT staff. Ensure the team is well-trained and capable of supporting the organization's technology needs.

• Support Interview and hire of employees; planning, assigning, scheduling, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

• Policy Development: Develop and enforce IT policies and procedures that comply with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

Technology Implementation and Management

• Electronic Health Records (EHR) Management: Oversee the implementation, optimization, and maintenance of EHR systems to ensure they meet the needs of NEMS mission, providers, and patients.

• Demonstrate superior knowledge of healthcare from both Payer and provider perspective

• Perform analysis, preparation, and presentation of outcomes using healthcare claims data, pharmacy data, and lab data and the development of data reports and/or products that will enhance the retention of current market share and attract new business by demonstrating cost containment.

• Leads the development and implementation of clinical informatics programs including Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), Knowledge Based Charting (KBC), Clinical Decision Support (CDS), and Electronic Health Record (EHR).

• Define, design and lead architecture, development, implementation, maintenance, and support of application systems, which drive and enable organizational growth and vision initiatives. Ensure performance to all related elements - cost, schedule, and budget - as they relate to the existing plan and forecast.

• Leads the development and implementation of clinical informatics programs

• Infrastructure Management: Manage the healthcare center's IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, and databases, modernization ensuring they are secure, reliable, and scalable.

• System Integration: Ensure that various healthcare IT systems are integrated and work seamlessly together, facilitating efficient data flow and communication within the organization.

• Effectiveness Reporting: Oversight of data reporting plan for clinical activities and outcomes for strategic initiatives and grants.

Compliance and Security

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the FQHC's IT systems and practices comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including HIPAA, HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act), and other relevant standards.

• Data Security: Implement and maintain robust data security measures to protect patient information and other sensitive data from breaches and cyber threats.

• Well-versed in cybersecurity and advising end-users on ways to prevent cyberattacks, making them aware of known threats, scams, and red flags.

• Audit and Risk Management: Conduct regular audits of IT systems and processes, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure the integrity and security of health information.

Operational Efficiency and Support

• Technical Support: Provide reliable and efficient technical support to all users, including healthcare providers, administrative staff, and patients, ensuring minimal downtime and disruption.

• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with IT vendors, negotiate contracts, and oversee the procurement of technology products and services to ensure they meet the organization's needs and budget.

• Performance Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate the performance of IT systems, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with emerging technologies and advancements in healthcare I, assessing their potential impact, FIT and value to NEMS

• Contribute actively to promote innovation by encouraging the exploration and adoption of new technologies, and processes that can improve patient care, streamline operations and reduce costs

• Oversees projects and assignments within the Management Information Systems (MIS) department.

• Oversees the development, review, and implementation of education plans to help optimize use of existing and new Clinical Information Systems.

• Oversight of administration for all software on organization workstations or used by staff - includes software that contains patient data, business software, and software vendors/partners that provide services outside the organization's network.

Collaboration and Communication

• Cross-departmental Collaboration: Partners with Executive Leadership Team (ELT), departmental leadership in executing strategic IT decision-making and the implementation and/or upgrading of technology within organization workflows.

• Collaborates with IT, Clinical Staff and Physician Staff to ensure that Clinical Information Systems are optimized based on clinical workflow redesign.

• Stakeholder Communication: Communicate IT strategies, initiatives, and performance to senior leadership, stakeholders and staff ensuring transparency and alignment with organization's mission

Financial Management - Budget and Cost Management

• Manage the IT budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively, and projects are financially viable

• Identify Opportunities to reduce IT costs without compromising quality or security with good ROI

Performs other job duties as required by manager/supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Position requires a minimum of a BS degree in Computer Science or Information Systems, plus minimum of 7+ years' experience in Healthcare IT.

• MS degree in Computer Science or Information Systems preferred.

• A minimum of 4 years personnel management experience.

• 15+ Years of experience in Information Technology

• Progressive leadership experience,

• Substantive experience with Epic preferred,

• Experience working with a formalized process improvement module such as PDSA (Plan Do, Study and Act).

• Working knowledge of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and other State and local programs, as appropriate, or needed.

• Previous experience working in FQHC is highly preferred.

• Excellent understanding of clinical workflows.

• Business analysis and workflow design skills.

• Strong communication, Program management, and relationship-building skills with internal and external customers.

• True "change agent" experience, able to lead diverse groups across an organization in implementing new programs and ideas.

• Hands on programming background preferred

• High degree of focus and attention to detail.

• Proven analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities

• Able to manage multiple complex priorities effectively.

• Demonstrate Cultural Assimilation and Purpose Driven

• Know when to Lead vs Delegate vs Do

LANGUAGE:

• Must be able to fluently speak, read and write English.

• Fluency in other languages is an asset.

STATUS:

This is an FLSA Exempt position.

This is not an OSHA high-risk position.

I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and accept this job description and am able to perform these essential job functions without restrictions. I also understand that it may be modified from time to time.

NEMS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer welcoming diversity in our workforce. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

NEMS BENEFITS: Competitive benefits, including free medical, dental and vision insurance for employee, spouse and/or children; and company contribution to 401(k).