Operational Excellence Partner

The Operational Excellence Partner at UChicago Medicine is responsible for engaging with teams and leadership across the health system to enhance operational performance. This includes coaching on systems thinking, guiding process improvement efforts, utilizing lean and quality improvement tools, and effectively communicating data to drive organizational change. The role also involves managing improvement projects and developing strategic roadmaps to foster a culture of excellence, making a significant impact on patient experience and care delivery.

To qualify for the Operational Excellence Partner position at UChicago Medicine, candidates should have 3-5 years of process improvement experience with a focus on operational change. A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience is required, along with strong interpersonal skills, effective communication abilities, and proficiency in tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio. Prior experience with lean methodologies and facilitation of improvement events is essential for succeeding in this role.

UChicago Medicine strongly believes in the personal and professional development of its employees. As an Operational Excellence Partner, you'll have access to continuous learning opportunities, mentoring from experienced leaders, and the chance to work on impactful projects that make a real difference. UChicago Medicine fosters a supportive environment where collaboration and innovation are encouraged, allowing you to thrive in your role and contribute to the health system's mission of excellence.

The work environment for the Operational Excellence Partner at UChicago Medicine is dynamic and collaborative. Based in Hyde Park, this role allows for daily interaction with diverse teams across different departments. The flexible structure includes options for remote work, enabling you to maintain a healthy work-life balance while engaging with colleagues in person. UChicago Medicine emphasizes a culture of respect, inclusivity, and teamwork, making it a motivating place to work.

UChicago Medicine is committed to the growth of its employees, and as an Operational Excellence Partner, you'll find a plethora of career advancement opportunities. With a strong emphasis on leadership development, mentoring, and continuous education, you can expand your skill set and take on new challenges. The organization encourages internal mobility and supports employees in pursuing their career aspirations, making it a great place to build a long-term career.

When answering this question, highlight your experience with specific methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma. Discuss particular projects where you successfully implemented these methods to achieve operational efficiency. Provide metrics if possible to showcase the improvements made, demonstrating your ability to effect change effectively.

Explain your systematic approach to data analysis that identifies bottlenecks and opportunities for improvements. Talk about the tools you use to gather and analyze data, such as value stream mapping or process flow analysis, and stress the importance of communicating those findings with stakeholders to drive informed decisions.

Discuss your strategies for fostering relationships with leadership, such as regular communication, workshops, and training sessions. Emphasize the importance of aligning operational goals with business objectives and how to motivate leaders to champion process improvement through shared success stories and the positive impact on patient care.

Share a specific project example where you led a team in a significant process improvement initiative. Discuss your leadership style, the tools you employed, and the outcome of the project. Highlight any metrics that show the success of the project and how it impacted operational efficiency.

Describe your experience with managing change initiatives in healthcare environments. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as well as the strategies you employed to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders. It's crucial to emphasize adaptability and leadership during times of change.

When responding to this question, discuss the key performance indicators you track to evaluate success, such as cycle time reductions, cost savings, or improved patient satisfaction scores. Provide examples of how you’ve used these metrics in previous roles to measure and report progress.

Elaborate on the critical role communication has in process improvement. Discuss how you engage teams in open dialogues, facilitate workshops, and use regular updates to keep everyone informed. Emphasize your ability to tailor communication styles to different audiences to ensure understanding and alignment.

Provide insights into your prioritization strategies during process improvement initiatives. Talk about how you assess urgency, align with organizational goals, and communicate effectively with stakeholders to navigate conflicts while still meeting project deadlines.

Discuss specific quality improvement tools you have experience with, such as 5S, root cause analysis, or Kaizen techniques. Explain your comfort level with each tool and provide examples of how you have successfully applied these tools to solve problems or enhance processes.

Express your passion for healthcare and how UChicago Medicine’s mission aligns with your values. Talk about what excites you about contributing to operational improvements in a premier academic medical center and how you’d be eager to help enhance patient care and the overall experience.