Associate Vice President, Clinical Operations

Job Summary

The AVP of Clinical Operations is a senior level position with leadership and operational accountability for a broad scope of clinical operations within HHH.  With primary responsibility for overseeing and managing the clinical operations, this position will establish a customer service mindset in the delivery of supporting functions for home and community-based services, including intake, quality, compliance, education, and employee health and safety. This position will engage in and lead aspects of strategic plan development, business plan development and implementation; allocation of resources; process and policy stewardship; facilitation across the organization; and translation of organizational goals into actions.

The AVP of Clinical Operations will create an operational team and function that identifies as a service organization to support high quality, excellent care to our patients and community.  For all departments in the clinical operations scope this role aligns and integrates operational improvement activities and initiatives, and work processes and advises key projects and initiatives. Working from the strategic plan, facilitates departmental alignment of goals and deliverables in all pillars of performance: service and clinical quality, workforce recruitment and retention, engagement and development, financial performance, and operational improvement and efficiencies.

To achieve the accountabilities and goals set forth in the AVP of Operations, this role will work in close partnership and collaboration with the CNO & VP of Clinical Delivery developing and implementing strategies to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care, optimizing operational efficiency, and maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations. The AVP of Clinical Operations will lead a team of clinical professionals, collaborate with various departments, and drive initiatives to enhance clinical services and patient outcomes.

Education|Licensure|Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or related clinical degree

• Advanced degree in healthcare administration, nursing, or a related field desirable

• Licensure in nursing, social work, or any rehab therapies

Expected Experience, Skills and Attributes

• Extensive experience in clinical operations management.

• Strong leadership and communication skills.

• Experience with interpretation and application of healthcare regulations and standards in home and community-based settings.

• Proven track record of implementing successful quality and operational improvement initiatives, including demonstrated project management skills.

• Extensive knowledge of administrative, leadership, and management best practices as well as strong supervisory and leader skills.

• Proficient in care model and/or program design and implementation.

• Strong analytic mindset with the ability to identify complex problems, facilitate problem solving strategies with diverse stakeholders, and support implementation of identified initiatives.

• Highly collaborative and skilled in relationship management.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills.

• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems and data analytics tools.

• Knowledge of value-based care models and population health management.

• Strong knowledge and understanding of healthcare systems, healthcare delivery models, and the broader healthcare landscape are essential.

• Candidates must have a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities in healthcare and be familiar with emerging trends and best practices in health system innovation and design.

• Expertise in innovation methodologies, such as design thinking, human-centered design, agile methodologies, or lean thinking is highly desirable.

• Candidates must have experience applying these methodologies to drive innovation and design solutions within a healthcare context. Must have a track record of successfully implementing innovation initiatives and driving transformative change.

Success Criteria

• Inclusive Leadership: Values and respects the diversity of individuals and seeks to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents each day in service to our clients.

• Effective Oversight: Demonstrated by the seamless development, integration, and execution of policies, contracts, and strategic initiatives tailored for CCS programs and services.

• Leadership and Support: Evidenced by the identification and bridging of systemic gaps, policy inconsistencies, and contractual issues, alongside facilitating problem-solving strategies that promote interdepartmental and partner coordination.

• Staff Engagement and Retention:  Fosters a positive workplace that encourages staff retention and engagement, leading to lower turnover rates, higher morale and improved performance metrics among employees.

• Executive Project Management: Success shown through collaborative efforts leading to tangible organizational changes and improvements.

• Safety and Quality:  Demonstrated through developing strong collaborative relationships with health care leaders to integrate safety into all aspects of patient care, clinical practice and the workplace.

• Representation and Communication: Measured by the ability to effectively represent Home Health & Hospice at various platforms, articulating the organization’s vision, impact, and requirements clearly and persuasively.

• Liaison Work: The successful management and alignment of policies, contracts, and initiatives with the Health Network leadership’s goals, ensuring that external relationships are nurtured to support the organization’s objectives and key results.

• Strategic Advisory: Recognized through the provision of informed guidance on policy priorities and the coordination of initiatives that bolster these priorities.

• Stakeholder Engagement: The convening of stakeholders to guarantee the integration and efficacy of policy, contracting, and strategic initiatives, fostering awareness, and consensus to facilitate necessary organizational changes.

• Professional Development and Education: Investing in the ongoing professional development and training of staff, staying abreast of industry trends, best practices, and advancements to maintain a high level of expertise and competence.

• Learning/Growth Mindset:  Actively seeks constructive feedback from peers, mentors and leaders; demonstrates resilience and perseverance when faced with obstacles or setbacks; adapts to changing circumstances and remains open to new ideas and approaches; approaches work and relationships with curiosity asking questions and exploring new ideas; regularly engages in self-reflection to gain deeper insights and apply learning to future situations.

• Culture Contribution: Models and lives the University of Vermont Health Network Mission, Vision, and Values.

General Standards

• Must demonstrate and maintain any required competency

• Able to speak, read and write in English

• Be honest, self-directed, possess initiative, display good judgment and a positive attitude toward daily activities

• Have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in written work

• Be able to work cooperatively and in a productive manner with organization’s employees, clients, customers and the general public

• Maintain satisfactory standing with the Adult Abuse Registry, Child Abuse & Neglect Registry, Vermont Criminal Information Center and OIG

• Be free from the illegal use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace

• Be able to conduct the functions of this job without risk of harm to the health and safety of self and others

• Hold a valid driver’s license and have a reliable, registered vehicle with insurance as required by the organization, and appropriate to position

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Sets the vision, operational direction, and expectations for the areas of responsibility and ensures achievement of objectives and financial performance

• Develop and implement strategies for clinical and operational integration that align with organizational goals and improve patient outcomes.

• Accountable for establishing vision and strategic objectives that will ensure optimal performance of clinical operations across HHH

• Ensures innovative and proactive strategic planning for areas of responsibility

• Creates an environment and practice of curiosity and creativity in operations.

Operational Oversight

• Coordinates, integrates, and standardizes operational programs and processes where possible.

• Establish/maintain effective communications and planning assignments to enhance working relationships.

• Works closely with senior leaders and management team to ensure consistency in interpretation of policies, procedures, and practices

• Continually monitors operations and effectively initiates changes as needed

• Develop and maintain practices to ensure electronic health record is optimized in a consistent, comprehensive, patient-centric, clinician supportive approach.

• Initiates programs, business plans, and services as required for favorable operating performance.

Health System Access and Integration

• Lead and support the management of the Intake and Referral department including overseeing staffing, annual goals and work plans

• Build and sustain organization-wide systems and efforts for establishing and improving referral relations and promoting customer service excellence

•  Foster partnerships with clinical teams, administrative staff, and external stakeholders to enhance responsiveness and timely transitions of care

• Lead cross-departmental teams to execute on health system integration and operational improvement projects.

Quality Improvement and Regulatory Compliance

• Lead quality improvement initiative to enhance patient care and safety, utilizing data analytics to monitor performance metrics and drive continuous improvement.

• Serves as a resource for operational and financial improvements.

• Ensure compliance with regulations and governing rules of accrediting bodies as they relate to all operations departments and programs

• Ensure readiness, preparation, and our practices will meet survey and regulatory commitments including, but not limited to survey visits, reporting requirements, documentation standards, policy updates and reviews, and performance/operational requirements.

• Provides administrative review of all policies and procedures for departments as needed.

Resource Management

•  Assist in the development and management of departmental budgets, ensuring financial sustainability and accountability.

• Responsible for the procurement, oversight and implementation of grants and contracts

• Optimize the use of resources, including staffing, equipment, and budget, to improve operational efficiency.

• Approves budgeted services and maintenance agreements working in collaboration with health system supply chain and facilities teams.

• Key management hiring for direct reports as well as reviewing and approving, if appropriate, all capital equipment requests for areas of responsibility.

People Leadership and Management

• Mentor and develop team and direct reports promoting a culture of excellence and professional growth.

• Maintains a high level of visibility with staff, peers, and health system leaders.

• Supervise, support, coaches and mentors operational leaders in day-to-day operations, priority setting and problem-solving

• Support operational leaders in optimizing program efficiencies and eliminating barriers to success for clinicians and caregivers

• Champion, sustain and advance the organization’s Mission, Vision and Values

Professional Accountability

• Demonstrates a commitment to the mission and values of the organization

• Complies with all organization policies and procedures

• Demonstrates respectful and effective communication in all interactions

• Protects the privacy and confidentiality of clients, co-workers and organization’s operations

• Complies with organization’s policies to protect confidentiality, integrity, availability and security of all protected health information

• Works in a safe manner by adhering to all safety practices, rules and standards

• Demonstrates a commitment to quality and proactively seeks to make improvements to systems and processes

• Reports to work on time, provides advance notice for time off, accurately reports time and attendance and appropriately manages paid time off (if applicable) in accordance with organization’s policy

• Demonstrates a commitment to integrity in work habits and use of organization’s resources

• Performs duties as assigned that may be outside principle responsibilities

• Meets own learning needs. Participates in educational programs of the organization, including completion of all mandatory competencies, education or training

• Effectively communicates to transfer information, provide guidance and resolve conflicts

• Reports concerns and complaints regarding abuse, neglect and exploitation in accordance with Vermont State Law and the organization

• Enhance or improve organization’s services by participating in team meetings, projects and committees

• Contributes to a positive work environment and responds in a constructive manner to change

• Documents the provision care and services in accordance with organization’s policy

Work Conditions

• 1. Traveling may be required

• 2. May work in community-based settings, and clients’ homes and outdoors

• 3. May work during non-business hours

• 4. May experience:

  • Hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, visitors and staff.

  • Stress due to a demanding profession.

  • An exposure to blood-borne pathogens

  • A variety of environmental exposures such as inclement weather, animals, firearms, tobacco use, dust, and other client-based activities and preferences

Essential Physical Requirements

• 1. Must walk, sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during working hours

• 2. Must have the ability to push, pull and lift from the floor, up to a total of 50 pounds and be able to move with the weight, as to organization’s standards

• 3. Climbing-be able to navigate stairs of varying heights and degrees

• 4. Balancing-be able to maintain balance

• 5. Kneeling, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching below waist level, reaching overhead and reaching torso level

• 6. Manual finger dexterity-will need dexterity to perform duties and use equipment

• 7. Visual acuity-will need sufficient eyesight to drive a car, use office equipment and perform duties

• 8. Auditory acuity- will need to assist individuals in person and by telephone