Executive Director, Department of Surgery

The Executive Director, Department of Surgery is responsible for working with the chair to achieve a high performing physician practice operation founded upon a unified, integrated philosophy of patient care. Ensures clinical sites within Brown Surgical Associates (BSA) have proper operational and quality controls along with administrative and reporting resources and systems to effectively grow the organization and ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. Position is responsible for driving large project implementations that impact the clinical sites. Responsible for helping to develop and implement the Department’s vision and strategic plan to achieve financial success.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Consistently applies the values of patient care priority, dignity, collaboration, integrity and quality in support of BSA’s mission to deliver compassionate, high-quality patient care, research excellence and outstanding physician education. Is responsible for knowing and acting in accordance with BSA and Brown Physician’s Inc. (BPI) policies.
• Model BPI’s values and service standards.
• Ultimate accountability for operational and performance success.
• Provide leadership and serve as an example to a culture of information sharing, transparency, customer service excellence, management visibility, and employee engagement within the organization. Encourage synergy and “servant leadership” in thought and action among all parties.
• Work in collaboration and partnership with physician leaders and senior leaders to enhance operational effectiveness, emphasizing cost containment and high-quality patient care.
• Oversee budgeting and contracting in partnership with BPI and BSA leadership.
• Collaborate with the leadership team in the development of strategic long- and short-range goals and related business plans and provide operational/tactical leadership in support of these growth strategies. Responsible for the execution of clinical practice strategic initiatives and communication of other strategic initiatives to the clinical team members.
• Build strong partnerships and alignment with physician leadership and other key leaders across partnering affiliates.
• Ability to create and maintain patient satisfaction and service excellence programs with trending mechanisms to show improvement trended over time.
• Enhance operational effectiveness, emphasizing cost containment and high-quality patient care.
• Conduct workflow analyses to implement new systems and processes across multiple sites. Plays a leadership role in change management and transformation.
• Work with site managers to provide oversight to day-to-day clinical operations ensuring clinical quality and patient satisfaction are optimized while cost effectiveness and financial vitality are maintained and enhanced.
• Take a leadership role in planning and space allocation for all current and future applicable services.
• Work closely with direct reports to establish and execute objectives; guide and motivate direct reports toward achievement of objectives, maintaining accountability and evaluating performance.
• Provide operational insights and recommendations with Finance to facilitate comprehensive, accurate and strategic operating and capital budget recommendations to the President and Board.
• Maintain effective communications and provide updated information to the Board.
• Provide management oversight and support in the pursuit of quality-of-care metrics, efficiency objectives, clinical documentation, and program development growth.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the business to make informed decisions in the best interest of the organization. Practice sound fiscal principles in area of responsibility. Model financial stewardship to render cost-effective, compassionate, quality healthcare through responsible management of resources.
• Establish best practices for efficient clinical operations and contribute realistic expectations of what success looks like to physicians, clinical staff and others.
• Motivate and lead a high-performing team of staff. Attract, recruit and retain required staff members; provide mentoring as needed.
• Foster a success-oriented, accountable environment within the organization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Skilled in clinical practice management, organizational development, personnel management, project implementation, budget and resource development, and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated track record in working effectively with physicians on matters related to practice management, resource utilization, joint ventures, program development, cost management and budgeting.
• Implementation of new programs or processes.
• Transparent communicator that provides clarity and shows respect when delivering unpopular or difficult information.
• Ability to operationalize a vision, creating a Playbook which outlines tactical steps and realistic timeline to achievement of vision. Ability to plan, organize, and integrate priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent people skills, with an ability to partner with leadership team.
• Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to corporate mission.
• Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Demonstrated business, entrepreneurial, technical and analytical skills. The ability to make sound, creative and credible financial decisions in a timely manner and to utilize outside resources where appropriate.
• Professional courage and maturity enabling effective and respectful dialog around difficult topics or conversations when needed. Ability to model healthy debate in the context of problem-solving. One who maintains professional composure and confidence during stressful situations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare field, business administration, or public administration required; master’s preferred.
• Five years upper management level experience within a sizeable multi-specialty physician practice group. Experience with hospital-based physician groups and/or surgical practice is a plus.
• A track record which includes direct impact on the progressive development of a physician practice is required. This should include leading and organizing disparate practices to standardization in patient access, policies and procedures. Experience with electronic medical records, particularly Epic.
• Experience with large project management techniques, delivering on time and on budget.
• Continuous improvement experience and implementation for sustained activities.
• Strong understanding of physician practice management operations and how to improve practice performance as evidenced by a track record of improving outcomes and productivity.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of health care administration, fiscal management, and government regulations and reimbursements.
• Self-directed with the ability to work in an ambiguous environment, creating structure, identifying required roles and assigning responsibilities, holding stakeholders to deadlines. Nimbleness to redirect based on new information or changing priorities.
• Champion for service excellence and the best possible patient experience. Anticipates customer’s needs and designs, promotes or supports the delivery of products and services that exceed customer expectations and enhances the patient experience.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships through open communication and teamwork. Work with others to accomplish goals and objectives.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Involves frequent contact with physicians and staff on all levels. The tasks of this position are normally performed in a typical office setting. Some tasks will be completed sitting at a desk, using a computer. Mobility is required to attend meetings and give presentations. The ability to travel to various locations in the state, typically via car is required.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

Incumbent functions independently within the guidelines established by the policies and procedures of the organization.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervisor responsibility for Practice Management and other assigned individuals overseeing or supporting practice functions. Recruits, hires and promotes according to BPI’s Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity policies.

EOE/F/M/Vet/Disabled