DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES Delta Regional Medical Center Greenville, Mississippi Prepared by WK Advisors September 4, 2012
OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION Delta Regional Medical Center (DRMC) located in historic Greenville, Mississippi been recognized as a leader in quality health care since 1950 s throughout the fertile Mississippi Delta region. DRMC is a regional health system that includes the main campus which is a 358-bed full service regional hospital, a West Campus offering rehabilitation and psychiatric service, and a regional physician practice division. DRMC as a system has over 1,200 employees and is dedicated to serving the citizens of Washington County, as well as residents in the Tri-State Delta region (Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana). In 2005, Delta Regional Medical Center purchased King s Daughters Hospital, also located in Greenville, from Community Health Systems (which is now referred to as the West Campus). With the acquisition of King s Daughters Hospital, Delta Regional Medical Center became the 9 th largest medical system in Mississippi. Over time Delta Regional Medical Center has grown and progressed into a state-of-theart hospital with a number of specialty service lines such as Cardiovascular Services (including open-heart surgery), Women s & Children s Services (including a NICU), Emergency Services including a Level III Trauma Center, Orthopedics, Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Services, all manner of diagnostics services, and Rehabilitation Services. The Emergency Department treats over 40,000 patients annually and is a core service for the community. Under the leadership of their CEO, they recently committed themselves to a new vision: to become the best hospital in the state of Mississippi at which to receive healthcare, practice medicine, and work. As the largest employer in Washington County, Delta Regional Medical Center completed an extensive renovation and expansion of it physical facilities which added nearly 6,000 square feet to the Emergency Department, expanded the Maternal Child Center by 3,980 square feet, with provisions for a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which opened in July 2010. The project also created enhanced space for its state-ofthe-art Heart and Vascular Center. In 2011 the systems had revenues of in excess of $128 million and had a profitable operating margin. In 2012, Delta Regional Medical Center partnered with William Care University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. DRMC partnered with the University to be a Hub Site to provide training of primary care physicians for rural and underserved areas of the Gulf South. Their ultimate goal is to help reduce the physician shortage across the state of Mississippi by providing a high level education for their future primary care physicians.
Avatar International, an industry leader in healthcare quality improvement services, recently recognized Delta Regional Medical Center as one of its 2010 award winning hospital partners. Delta Regional Medical Center received Avatar International s Most Improved Loyalty and Endorsement - Home Health Award, Exemplary Service Most Improved Home Health Award, and the Five Star Service Loyalty & Endorsement Home Health Award all for the year 2010. Below are the Mission, Vision and Values for Delta Regional Medical Center. These powerful core statements communicate the system s purpose and express the heart and soul of all they do, and why they do it. Mission: Delta Regional Medical Center s purpose is to provide quality health care and services to the people throughout our geographic area. They are committed to a comprehensive approach that meets the needs of individual families and the community. Vision: To be the best hospital in Mississippi in which to receive care, practice medicine and work. Core Values: Accountability, Compassion, Respect (Golden Rule), Excellence & Education Below is the website that can be accessed for additional information: Delta Regional Medical Center http://www.deltaregional.com
OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION The Director of Information Systems is responsible for the planning, organizing and directing of the Information Systems Department for Delta Regional Medical Center. This includes all clinical, ancillary, financial and related applications, technical/network services, and telecommunications services within Delta Regional Medical Center. Additionally this key leader is responsible for development, implementation and oversight of standards, policies and procedures for the protection of IT security in accordance with HIPAA Standards, state and federal statutes, and other regulatory requirements. The Director reports and is accountable to the Chief Financial Officer and works collaboratively with all leadership executives to achieve Delta Regional Medical Center s objectives. Below are the key duties and responsibilities for the Director of Information Systems: Provide management direction and leadership in computer applications development and computer operations to support the achievement of corporate goals and objectives. Provide advice and counsel to management concerning the application of computing techniques to institutional requirement. Coordinate computer applications for all hospital and hospital clinic services. Establish and manage budgets, objectives, standards, and procedures for the division. Serve as DRMC s IT Security Officer and is responsible for development, implementation and oversight of standards, policies and procedures for the protection of healthcare security in accordance with HIPAA Standards, state and federal statutes, and other regulatory requirements. Lead and oversee the development, maintenance and implementation of short and long term goals for the information services department. Participate on the Management Team, the Clinical Services Steering Council, and other related committees. Chairs and facilitates the Information Management Committee, the Information Management Advisory Committee and IS user committees. Implement the goals and objectives established by these committees and approved by the Executive Management Team. Manage all activities for information systems through subordinate staff. Assign projects to information systems staff members, review project progress, evaluate all information systems needs and make recommendations about changes in hardware and software. Responsible for hiring, training, evaluating, mentoring, developing and disciplining information systems staff members as appropriate to achieve objectives.
Plan, organize, coordinate and control the activities of the IS Department to achieve the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness. Guide and direct projects in such a way that optimizes use of personnel and equipment. Keep abreast of current trends and developments in the IS and healthcare fields through continuous professional development. Evaluate existing information systems assets to insure best utilization, and recommend acquisition of such additional hardware and software that will promote the hospital operation. Ensure that documentation is maintained and recommend audit controls for all areas using information systems. Provide informal/formal education of state-of-the-art information systems technology to broadly enhance the knowledge of management and medical staff. Plan and coordinate educational programs for DRMC management and staff for professional development purposes. Develop and manage standards and guidelines for maintaining continuity and compatibility of all computing systems. Manage the integration of the various information and technology systems, including systems interfaces, within Delta Regional Medical Center. Provide oversight for new software and hardware acquisitions. Develop consistent standards for vendors and manage outside vendor performance to ensure consistency with quality and contract standards. The primary application platforms for DRMC are composed of systems from Cerner s enterprise clinical, financial, and ancillary suite. The financial applications are Oracle based. DRMC converted to the Cerner platform using the remote computing or hosted option with Cerner which is based (and hosted) in Kansas City. They use Cerner 2010 version at this time with an upgrade to version 2012 scheduled for 2013. Cerner applications currently in use include PowerChart; Enterprise Orders and Documentation (Nursing, PAL, Powerforms); FirstNet in the ED including Triage, Tracking Board, CPOE and Physician Notes; ZYNX; PharmNet; RadNet; ProFile; CPDI (Document Imaging); Power Insight, Power Vision and Clinical Reporting; INet; Apache; CareMobile; and Physician InBox, SurgiNet, as well as CPOE. Additionally, they utilize Cerner s applications for Suppy Chain and Patient Financial Services. The physician practice network uses Mysis which is also maintained by the information services department. The above noted activities constitute their Phase I meaningful use initiative. The computer network is stable and has been well maintained. There are currently over 500 PCs and 80 Mobile Work Stations on the network. It is important to note that the organization converted from Meditech to all of Cerner s applications in February 2012. Overall the clinical applications are working well but the
financial related applications and reporting/business intelligence are not working well. There are nine FTEs in the information systems department at this time. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS The section below outlines the qualifications and selection criteria for the ideal candidate for the Director of Information Systems. Education, Licensure, & Certifications An undergraduate degree in business administration, computer science, health administration, or related field is required. A graduate degree in computer science/management information systems, industrial engineering, business administration or related field is preferred. Experience An individual with a minimum of eight years of information systems experience in the areas of systems, procedure analysis, programming and computer operations. An individual with a minimum of three to five years of progressive information systems management experience: Experience in industries other than healthcare is welcomed, however a minimum of three years must be in healthcare and must be recent (i.e., within the last five years). The candidate must have experience managing most areas of information services, including application development/implementation/support, data communications networks, computer operations, desktop support, help desk, enterprise applications, and Web technologies. Experience with Cerner would he highly preferred. An individual who has a working knowledge and understanding of acute care clinical and financial systems, electronic health record technology, and outpatient and physician practice systems. Individual must also have a good working knowledge of the healthcare systems vendors and their product offerings. A conceptual person who is a quick study and can see the big picture, who understands the application of systems and their value operationally and strategically to an organization, and who can serve as a resource for senior leadership and IS staff. Someone with enough detail knowledge to be helpful and supportive of IS staff. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of implementing, enhancing and supporting information systems and information technology in
support of a health delivery organization. Someone with an in-depth understanding of project management, with the expertise to manage multiple projects simultaneously. An individual with an understanding of the benefits of information systems that extends beyond the technology to the improvement and re-engineering of business and clinical processes, and who possesses the ability to help realize those benefits. Someone who is successful at managing change in an organization. An ability to balance information systems requirements to support the hospital vision within resource constraints; work with senior leadership team to prioritize and revise plans on a regular basis; with a track record of managing resources judiciously and operating within budget. Personal Characteristics A solid value system and service orientation and willingness to embrace the mission of Delta Regional Medical Center which is to provide quality health care and service to the people throughout their geographic area. Possess superior interpersonal qualities and the demeanor and style to quickly establish credibility in the organization. The successful candidate will have a hands-on management style with a zest for day-to-day operations. He/she will also be results oriented in his/her approach to problem solving. He/she will be someone who has a high level of personal ownership in the future success of the hospital in which they belong. Someone who values the Manager/Director and is energized by educating and inspiring their interest in organizational success. A leader who can motivate people, evaluate new business opportunities, clearly articulate goals, objectives and expectations. Someone who is energetic, enjoys working with people at all levels of the organization, and has a good sense of humor. An individual of unquestioned integrity and moral character; an individual the organization can trust without reservation to represent the values of the organization. A creative and can-do problem solver with the willingness to take the initiative in leading change as well as the ability to effectively manage change. Strong interpersonal skills; can work with individuals at all levels of the organization from entry-level staff to the medical staff/faculty, and community members.
Willingness to address tough issues, one who possesses good judgment and common sense, and the ability to act decisively at the right time. Ability to persuade others, develop consensus, influence outcome and stay the course. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the confidence to represent the organization to the various constituents in the community and business environment. He/she will also have excellent oral presentation skills. Excellent physician relations skills; understands physician needs, issues, and concerns. The successful candidate will place a high value on physician relationships. GOALS & OBJECTIVES During the first 12 to 18 months of his/her tenure, the Director Information Systems will be expected to achieve the following: Earn the trust and respect of the departmental employees, the senior leadership team, the managers/directors, and physicians within Delta Regional Medical Center. Establish a reputation as a leader who can make things happen. Establish credibility and solidify working relationships with staff, management, administration and physicians by being visible, aware and proactive. Ensure that the Information Systems Department is operating efficiently and effectively based upon the needs of the organization. See that service levels are adequate and the information technology needs of the organization are being met. Work closely with the information systems long-tenured departmental staff to build a trusting relationship; see that a culture of team and cohesiveness is continued in the division and fostered over time. Become a respected and integral part of the administrative leadership team; develop a sense of personal ownership for the future success of the hospital and system. Ensure that all Cerner implemented applications are functioning properly and to promised standards. See that all reporting systems are functioning well including all decision support/business intelligence reporting. See that the components of the Cerner Implementation and Phase I Meaningful Use are completed on time and is successful. Implement a process that establishes priorities for information systems and successfully addresses any changes in priorities. Develop a program to achieve the ongoing training and development of Information Systems staff that anticipates the information systems management and technical skill needs of DRMC and meets the career goals of staff.
Successfully learn the organization and integrate with the rest of the management team. Become a valued resource on issues under this position s purview. Cultivate and maintain strong collegial working relationships with all constituencies including, but not limited to, physicians, clinicians and nurses. Review the IS organization and internal processes and make recommendations and changes as necessary to improve the performance and efficiency of the department. See that this meets the needs of the organization during implementation processes as well as post-implementation times.