Position: Chief, Strategic Management
Organization: Washington Hospital Healthcare System (www.whhs.com)
Location: Fremont, CA
Organization Background
Located in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Washington Hospital Healthcare System (WHHS) provides services and programs to the District residents of Fremont, Newark, Union City, southern Hayward and the town of Sunol. The mission of WHHS is to meet the healthcare needs of the District through medical services, education and research. From robotic surgery and minimally invasive hip replacement to the latest in cancer treatments, Washington Hospital Healthcare System provides access to high quality, cost effective health services.
Washington Hospital, located in Fremont, is a 359 bed acute care facility providing 24-hour emergency care; cardiac surgery, catheterization and rehabilitation; childbirth and family services including a Level II nursery; outpatient surgery; pulmonary function; crisis intervention; respiratory care; rehabilitation services (cardiac, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, stress); social services; laboratory; medical imaging; and hospice care.
Washington West, a 189,000 square foot complex, houses the Gamma Knife Center, Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, Lymphedema Clinic, Richard M. Warren Nursing Skills Lab, Washington Clinic/Fremont, Little Washington Township Child Care Center and the free Community Health Resource Library and Health Insurance Information Service.
To support the fulfillment of the mission, the District’s strategic vision is to be the regional medical center of Southern Alameda County offering services that span the full range of care within the available financial resources.
History
The Washington Township Hospital District was formed in 1948 by a group of public-minded citizens. Washington Hospital opened its doors 10 years later on November 24, 1958, as a district hospital licensed for 150 beds.
In January 1995, the District’s name was changed to Washington Township Health Care District to reflect their mission to provide broad healthcare services in addition to hospital-based services. The District is governed by an elected Board of Directors made up of five members who each serve two- or four-year terms.
Today, the Health Care District is known as Washington Hospital Healthcare System and serves the residents of Southern Alameda County. The District’s population is approximately 320,000.
Reporting Relationship
The Chief, Strategic Management (CSM) reports to the Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Farber, and Associate Administrator, Kimberly Hartz. The position is a senior staff leader who works with the management team which includes the Associate Administrators for: Finance, Operations & Support; Patient Care; and Ambulatory Care.
Position Summary
The CSM supports the Chief Executive Officer in defining and establishing the healthcare system’s philosophy, goals and objectives. This position will facilitate the creation of an overall strategy that assures achievement of the social mission and the ability to effectively compete in the external marketplace and maintain financial health. The CSM provides information and leadership in external competitive marketplace issues, including the capability to develop and execute short and long range business strategies.
Initial Priorities
- Work quickly to understand the culture, mission and values of WHHS. Gain an understanding of the vision and priorities of senior leadership.
- Proactively build relationships and establish credibility with senior leadership, physician leaders, hospital, and department staff.
- Become familiar with projects currently in place and the staff who are key to the vitality of the projects.
- Learn the financial modeling and planning principles used within WHHS.
Scope of Responsibilities
- Facilitate decision-making and provide substantive analysis of major strategic decisions.
- Identify external and internal changes to the environment affecting Washington Hospital Healthcare System and analyze the potential impact.
- Create strong alliances and build collaboration with management, physicians and employees throughout the WHHS.
- Effectively utilize available data systems and resources to prepare reports which support the decision making process with respect to the strategic plan, financial projects, service/program evaluation, inpatient and outpatient trend analysis, market share and support of other departments.
- Collaborate with Financial Planning and Analysis to model financial feasibility of current and potential projects.
- Perform research studies and position papers as directed.
- Plan, organize, develop and implement assigned projects related to the strategic plan and other identified strategic initiatives.
- Assist with/or coordinate directly the work of consultants and Healthcare System staff in the development of strategic plans and programs.
- Demonstrate and utilize knowledge of legal aspects and liabilities related to project implementation.
- Analyze, develop, and control budgets for assigned projects.
- Appropriately delegate tasks to department staff.
- Inform the Chief Executive Officer of activities, needs and problems within area of responsibility.
- Assure that strict confidentiality guidelines are adhered to by all staff and consultants, both intra and interdepartmentally.
- Attend and participate in administrative and other meetings, as appropriate.
- Subscribe to the Patient-First Ethic in daily activities.
- Maintain confidentiality of all hospital information. Safeguard protected health information from any intentional or unintentional disclosure.
- Demonstrate good judgment when communicating with patients/customers of various age groups by modifying delivery and complexity of information based on age, ethnic/cultural, language, disability or other factors.
- Maintain professional affiliations; attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of developments in health care trends, research and development, competitive market forces and other relevant areas to the Healthcare System and the Strategic Management Division.
- Participate in multi-disciplinary performance improvement activities.
- Utilize the tools, techniques and philosophy of quality improvement.
- Plan a systematic and ongoing process for monitoring, evaluating and improving the quality and appropriateness of strategic activities.
- Document findings, conclusions, recommendations, actions taken and results of actions for all quality improvement activities and reports through appropriate mechanisms.
- Seek to improve performance by participating in self-development activities and continuing education.
- Collaborate with staff on all levels to update/develop and implement policies, procedures and/or protocols.
- Participate in JCAHO task forces as requested.
- Ensure that programs and services are designed in compliance with State/Federal laws and hospital policies.
Candidate Qualifications
- A minimum of 5 to 7 years experience in health care administration and/or health care project development and implementation.
- Strong market research/analysis orientation and in-depth knowledge of marketplace dynamics, with experience in health care preferred. In-depth experience researching, analyzing and developing strategic plans.
- Possess good understanding of financial schedules and financial analyses with the ability to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the given financial information.
- Strong conceptual skills (global rather than linear thinker)
- Demonstrate leadership expertise, particularly as a collaborator and strong partner in shared leadership roles. Essential leadership competencies include leading through influence, team focus, communication and results orientation.
- Possess exceptional oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate with personnel on all levels. Excellent people skills.
- Ability to work with limited, frequently changing direction. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrates personal computer knowledge including Windows NT, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Power Point.
Education
Undergraduate degree required. Masters degree in Hospital/Healthcare Administration or Business preferred.
Contact
Please send resume or nominations to:
Kate Kingsley or Robert Andersen
KLKingsley Executive Search
1333 No. California Blvd., Suite 570
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
kate@klkingsley.com
Robert@klkingsley.com
(925) 934-4306 main
(925) 934-4327 fax
