Informatics Manager

Overview

The Informatics Manager will incorporate theories, principles, and concepts from nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage, communicate and bridge the gap between nursing/clinical practice and Information Technology. This role will develop, grow and maintain a high performing informatics team that meet the current and emerging needs of Northern Arizona Healthcare. The manager ensures maximum use and efficiency of clinical systems using data analytics and reporting to guide direction of priorities. This role is responsible for Informatics education and informatics team oversight.

This role will report to NAHMG. It will focus on education, training and support in the ambulatory space.

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Champions process improvement, standardization and efficient acute workflows based on lean six sigma principles and best practice models of patient flow and design.
• Responsible for EMR maturity and standardization a to ensure the EMR is current and meets organizational and regulatory needs of the organization.
• Delivers written work, proposals, presentations of a high quality and professional caliber.
• Manages assigned resources, vendors and employees to the highest standards of performance. Addresses performance issues timely, fairly, professionally and according to NAH and IT policy.
• Assists in the evaluation, strategic planning and execution of clinical information system installation, support, and training.
• Is responsible for the evaluation, coordination, implementation and maintenance of designated projects, which enhance the organizational function of our acute clinical services.

Operations Management

• Provides mentoring, coaching, and direction to facilitate employee support, growth and development.
• Works with nursing and provider leadership in appropriate areas related to supporting, emerging technology, projects and initiatives which impact end users and patient care.
• Assists in guiding the operational leaders in the implementation of systems and processes to maintain compliance and meet regulatory requirements as it pertains to IT systems and IT integration at Northern Arizona Healthcare.
• Provides direction for existing program analysis and future IT development based on the NAH strategic plan and operational/environmental realities.
• Creates opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments of staff, providers, and peers. Assists in facilitating coordination of Informatics services, applicable change control processes and resources in concert with technical IT services.
• Plans, coordinates and executes activities related to the efficient support of clinical service lines, project teams and change processes.
• Assures Informatic rounding and self-rounding at NAH, providing ad-hoc training and appropriate use of software system.
• Serves as a resource to clinical staff, provides leadership to providers regarding Clinical Informatics and operational issues related to clinical systems and applications.
• Facilitates coordination of Informatics services, applicable change control processes and resources in concert with technical IT services.

System Support

• High degree of proficiency in Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems and strong proficiency in other clinical and business systems that either integrate with the EMR in the delivery of healthcare services.
• Promotes evidence-based, best practices and appropriate technologies to support efficient work.
• Establishes relationships with clinicians and advocates use of standardized clinical information systems to support clinical decision support, evidence-based practice, and patient safety.
• Supports EMR downtime readiness in partnership with clinical oversight.
• Facilitates the integration of data, information, and knowledge to support patients, nurses, and providers in their decision-making and clinical workflow and helps identify and resolve workflow issues by directing the Informatics team in rounding on units, and conducting training, and educating on the appropriate utilization of the EMR application.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Responsible for the design and execution of an acute Informatics support model that supports NAH growth, optimal uptime and system performance, efficient service delivery and the coordination and consolidation of multiple support functions into a high single performing team model.
• Assists with planning and adherence to capital and operational budgets for informatics division.
• Analyzes complex clinical functions, organizational structures, and care processes to facilitate decision making regarding inpatient optimization, standardization and support.
• Utilizes the knowledge and skills of clinical best practices to determine clinical functions that are suitable for automation within the EMR and ensure information systems are consistent with professional healthcare standards of nursing and allied health professional practice.
• Provides consultation, guidance and education to organizational leaders regarding clinical documentation systems, their effective use and best practices.
• Responsible for coordinating inpatient focused maintenance, upgrading and optimization of system & EMR.

People Management

• Chairs, co-chairs or attends meetings and steering committees as appropriate, serving as the voice of IT/Informatics best practices and includes, brings or engages necessary IT personnel/leadership as needed.
• Manages, communicates and escalates clinical issues, concerns and needs related to Information Technology and support.
• Engages vendors as appropriate to address issues, service priorities and holds them accountable to establish agreements and SLAs.
• Ensures that support strategies and priorities align with NAH's strategic, financial and operational goals.
• Provides open forum for staff discussions of ideas and opinions in support of teamwork and communication.
• Effectively communicates strategies, priorities and required work assignments, delegates as appropriate and follows up to establish accountability.
• Holds employees to the highest standards of performance and accountability and provides counseling/coaches employees on areas of improvement.
• Builds strong working relationships with clinical end users, inpatient departments and leaders designed to remove barriers for success and deliver the best possible informatics services within the acute setting.

Compliance/Safety

• Responsible for reporting any safety-related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety-related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.
• Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employee's area of responsibility.
• If required for the position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.
• Completes all company mandatory modules and required job-specific training in the specified time frame.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Applicable Field or Equivalent Experience- Required
• Master's Degree - Preferred

Experience

• 3 years in a position of nursing/healthcare leadership- Preferred
• 2 years -Informatics- designing and building workflows- Required
• Cerner or other EMR experience- Required
• Process improvement experience- Preferred
• Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.

Certification & Licensures

• Cerner fundamentals- Required within 6 months.
• Clinical focused certification LPN, RN, MA, pharmacy -required
• Active, unrestricted, Arizona RN License- Preferred
• Informatics in nursing certification- Preferred informatics certifications - preferred