Program Director - Biomedical Ethics

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Program Director position develops programs and provides leadership, planning and coordination of multi-component, complex programs to drive business goals and support the organization's strategic direction. This position educates and assists leadership in developing strategies to respond to new program requirements and opportunities for improvement supported by external benchmarking. The Program Director position exhibits strong leadership and critical reasoning skills in decision-making, planning and organizing, initiative and ingenuity, creativity, independent decision making, problem solving, and interpreting data for large-scale and multiple site programs. This position develops positive relationships with physicians and interdisciplinary teams, interacting with all levels of the organization, from front-line staff to senior management. This position is responsible for various administrative and operational functions, including protocol development and implementation, financial stewardship and writing program funding proposals while providing education and technical expertise related to the program for successful implementation. The Program Director position collaborates with System Hospitals for sharing of best practices, reporting methodologies and identification of potential duplication of effort.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and implements communication strategies throughout the organization/system to ensure accurate information regarding program purpose, initiatives, improvement strategies, and outcomes. Manages dissemination of information around program initiatives, utilizing agreed upon channels and meeting specified timelines.

• Functions directly and indirectly as a resource/consultant by working with staff, management, patients/families, and/or other groups as applicable. Utilizes outstanding relationship skills to partner with key stakeholders to drive program success.

• Acts as a model and coaches staff in effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication. Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement on department scorecard.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans, directs, and executes all program initiatives to ensure the goals of the program are met. Provides effective coordination and responsible, decisive actions related to the program within documented timeframe(s) and maintains expertise in program standards.

• Provides consultative services as needed to drive program to successful outcomes, serving as a program advisor to the leadership team. Serves as a knowledge expert and resource interpreting and integrating the program standards. Employs principles of continuous performance improvement to advance the program.

• Develops materials and reports on program for Senior Leadership, Management, and front-line staff, providing education, and developing strategies to respond to new program requirements and opportunities for improvement supported by external benchmarking. Meets with stakeholders to facilitate effective and transparent communication regarding program issues and decisions.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates to ensure collection, correlation, analysis and generation of reports for detailed reporting and distribution to Senior Leadership and other key stakeholders regarding program. Processes and analyzes integrated quality data, tracking and reporting milestones, research activity and outcomes of the alliances.

• Evaluates, plans, and implements new programs, policies and procedures and educational programs to ensure excellence in quality care and patient satisfaction, as appropriate. Reviews changes related to the program and facilitates integration within the hospital.

• Develops high quality presentation materials that clearly outline the problem/situation, lay out a logical and compelling storyline that drive to recommendation(s) or set of strategic considerations. Participates in all related accreditations and regulatory surveys associated with the program.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Monitors and manages the program progression within documented timeframes and within budget, taking proactive steps to minimize delays in delivery. Drives efficiencies and quality improvements, recognizing current and future resource limitations and needs. Identifies strategies and opportunities for financial efficiency and improvement of operations

• Actively participates by providing input on products, equipment for the program, as appropriate, considering both quality and cost. Develops and manages the operational and capital budget processes for the program accreditations and related areas.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and coordinates department business development plans, including programs, meetings and materials to increase referral development and departmental growth, providing long-range planning input. Monitors trends and provides feedback as required; remains knowledgeable and current on industry changes and outcomes.

• Drives and participates in the process of innovation to drive teams to new avenues of growth. Sets goals and objectives and develops an implementation system to reach those goals and drives results. Implements change management strategies to ensure successful execution of program. Ensures creative and futuristic planning for health care delivery. Collaborates with medical staff, executives, hospital leaders, and hospital staff to assure goals are in congruence.

• Conducts literature searches and other benchmarking inquiries that substantiate evidence-based and best practices and supports research initiatives, including the design and implementation of data collection systems. Advances Houston Methodist's external image to the public through external meeting attendance, publication and speaking engagements to build philanthropic relationships.

• Serves on various hospital-wide committees and takes a leadership role in developing and/or evaluating hospital services, policies, or programs, monitoring performance and re-assigning duties with necessary with prioritization. In addition, represents the hospital with work in professional association(s), as per department protocol. Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Master's degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Seven years of experience in a healthcare setting of which four years working in a program/project role focused on organizational operations. May consider HM employee with six years experience, including three years in a program/project role where the emphasis has been focused on organizational operations

License/Certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KSA/ Supplemental Data

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.

• Strong proficiency in speaking, presentation skills, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security. Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.

• Strong organizational skills, excellent critical synthesis and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

• Well versed in computer skills of the entire Microsoft Office Suite

• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines

• Ability to function well in a high-paced and, at times, stressful environment, works under pressure and balances many competing priorities

• Mature management skills demonstrated by calm and thorough review of situations

• Advanced skills in change management, planning and execution and business acumen

• Experience with successful program management and outcomes

• Strategic thinker that demonstrates innovation and creativity in program management

• Adaptable - flexible in handling change, able to juggle multiple high priority demands, able to adapt to new situations with innovative ideas or approaches. Ability to maintain focus on goals and easily adjust to how they are achieved

• Ability to analyze and solve problems and make decisions on program-related issues

• Ability to influence others without direct position responsibility to earn credibility and client trust

• Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information

• Knowledge and familiarity with accreditation and regulatory requirements for program

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL**Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL****Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

 

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.