Chief Information Officer

Job Title: Chief Information Officer

Job Code: CIO

Department: Information Technology

Division: Operations

Salary Level: Exempt 8

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Last Revised: February 2022

Primary Function

This position serves as the Chief Information Officer and supervises and directs the IT Department and staff including but not limited to: Network Administrator, Database Administrator, Telecommunications and Help Desk. Also works with the Chief Information Security Officer. This position will work as part of the Executive Team of the Cherokee Indian Hospital particularly in defining the role of technology. The Director will provide vision and leadership by championing the key technology initiatives that will transform the way CIHA provides healthcare with its partners, employees and stakeholders. This position is responsible for all of the hospital’s technological needs including the development, maintenance, and support of its core IT infrastructure, enterprise and department specific applications, and hospital applications and programs.

Job Description

• Oversees the design and implementation of new applications and changes to existing computer systems and software.
• Evaluates and procures new hardware and software to meet organizational needs.
• Review and recommend vendor proposals and contracts.
• Develops annual IT budget and monitors expenditures.
• Responsible for the management of the day to day activities of the IT team and instituting controls to ensure smooth and effective service to the department’s internal and external customers.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining the department’s information system security including telecommunication systems and its core network infrastructure.
• Assumes full management responsibility for the Information Technology Department including its development, personnel and operational activities.
• Makes decisions on funding priorities, requests for staffing, major technology issues, and new operational initiatives in consultation with the CEO, COO, CFO and the EBCI Tribal Option Director.

• Works to enhance IT responsiveness as well as hospital performance by optimizing critical IT management processes and providing real time viability to infrastructure performance.

• Researches and recommends strategic and tactical plans regarding information technology systems, telecommunications, and technology initiatives to the executive team.
• .(stated above)
• Institutionalize knowledge and methods to enable continuous improvement, performance gains, and consistency.
• Recommend, maintain make available and enforce approved policies, standards, practices and processing operations and to safeguard information resources.
• Establish appropriate service and staffing levels as well as future needs.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures and allocate resources accordingly.
• Define and implement solutions to maintain the increasing information security needs of the department.
• Position the department’s IT assets for the future.
• Build strong relationships with key partners to assist in implementing IT projects.
• Acts as the EBCI Tribal Option CIO with overall TO technology infrastructure and cyber security strategy and operations.
• Assures that the TO complies with all NIST security policies and standards as mandated by NC DHHS including but not limited to the NIST 800-53 security framework requirements.
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of information technology.
• Performs all other duties as requested by the CEO for which the employee is capable of performing.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in an information technology field or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Eight years of senior level management experience with an organization that has a complex information technology operation, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Twelve to eighteen months would be necessary to become proficient in most phases of the job.

Job Knowledge

• This position requires considerable knowledge of operations, services and activities of a comprehensive information technology department.
• Must have knowledge of the in-house developed and commercial off the shelf software applications, networking, and data management strategies.
• Must be skilled strategic and visionary thinker.
• Must have the ability to effectively manage vendor contracts and relationships and the ability to recommend and approve major contracts for information technology services.
• Must be able to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and implement recommendations in support of CIH goals.
• Must be able to implement software and system upgrades or change projects.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely both, orally and in writing; and public speaking skills.
• Must have knowledge of project management and implementation.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must have strong leadership skills including the ability to create a culture conducive to selecting, developing, retaining, evaluating, and motivating skilled and cohesive teams.

Complexity of Duties

Knowledge of Microsoft software applications and other software applications. Experience with designing, integrating and implementing cloud-based architectures. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft enterprise and server operations systems. Comprehensive knowledge of information systems technology and extensive knowledge of hardware and software, with the ability to keep abreast of new technologies. Experience managing and leading high performing teams. Demonstrated experience working in a team oriented, collaborative environment and being a liaison with senior leaders. Working knowledge of telecommunications, network and PC operating systems. Strong technical knowledge of current network hardware protocols and standards. Extensive server and desktop applications support experience. Demonstrated experience in IT infrastructure planning and development. Ability to present ideas in a business friendly and user-friendly language. Proven analytical, evaluative and problem-solving abilities. Exceptional customer service orientation.

Supervision Received

Works under the CEO and the Board of Directors to make proposals and recommendations to provide requested information to the board and analyzes the outcomes of actions approved by the Board. Functions independently to ensure compliance with guidelines, regulations and policies.

Responsibility for Accuracy

A very high degree of accuracy is required in the work of this position. Consequences of error could result in risk to the organization loss of technology such as the electronic health record, email, internet, department specific applications, and loss of telephone service to the facility. Ensures that the computers, servers, email, network, communications and other information systems components are providing the intended services. Network connectivity must be maintained at all times. If these services are interrupted, it could cost CIHA financially, and otherwise. Works actively to ensure redundancy and high availability of critical systems.

Contacts with Others

A wide range of contact with others is required for this position. Daily contact is necessary to communicate the direction and needs of the organization to subordinate staff. Frequent contact with executive staff, the Board of Directors, Tribal leaders, and Local/State/Federal Officials is necessary. The nature of the position requires courtesy, tact and business etiquette. Contact includes professionals, hired by the CIHA such as physicians, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, consultants, auditors, etc., requiring a high degree of diplomacy and professionalism.

Confidential Data

This position has the highest degree of access to the organizations confidential data and information. Failure to protect that information could result in fines, penalties, and loss of assets and customer loyalty.

Mental/Visual/Physical

Close concentration and attention to detail are required for sustained periods. This position is subject to frequent interruption, which require varied responses with each contact. The sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

Environment

This position works in a normal business environment.

Extent of Supervision

Has the full authority and responsibility for not less than five teams with-in the Information Technology division of the CIHA- Network/Telco, Systems Administration, Business Applications, Clinical Applications and Help Desk (including AV and Nurse Call). Has responsibility of all aspects of the job description. Must be able to lead employees in the fulfillment of the organizational mission.

Scope of Supervision

Responsible for the direct supervision of approximately five management level employees overseeing the entire Information Technology division.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.