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CEO Position Description

Position: President and Chief Executive Office

Organization: "CLIENT" Health Network

Location: 

Reporting Relationship

The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports to the 17-member "CLIENT" Health Network Board of Directors.

Current direct reports include the Senior Vice President, Acting Hospital Administrator; Chief Financial Officer; Chief Information Officer; Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement; Vice President of Sponsorship; Vice President of Corporate Services; Vice President of Human Resources; Vice President of Health Plans; Vice President of "CLIENT" Health Network Foundation and the Corporate Compliance Officer.

Organization Information

"CLIENT" Health Network encompasses a continuum of services ranging from "CLIENT" Regional Medical Center, the Center for Outpatient Surgery, the Eye Institute, "CLIENT" Foundation, "CLIENT" HMO/PPO Health Plans, and extensive mission outreach services that deliver care where it is most needed. A fully accredited medical center, "CLIENT" has a 100-year tradition of delivering high quality healthcare to every member of the community. "Client's" core values of dignity, integrity, stewardship and justice are integral to the enhancement and improvement of the quality of life and health of the community through superior health care services.

"CLIENT" is the most preferred hospital in the region by residents and the best health network to work for. Ninety-five percent of employees enjoy working for "CLIENT" due to benefits, training, rewards, recognition, and team spirit.

Known as a regional provider for quality and compassionate healthcare, "CLIENT" 367-bed Regional Medical Center offers a comprehensive array of services including: Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery, Cardiac Intensive Care and Cardiac Catheterization and Rehabilitation, Surgery (including Open Heart), Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Parish Nursing, and others. "CLIENT" is recognized for their women and children's services, and operates a Level III NICU.

Quality nursing care sets "CLIENT" apart from most other hospitals in the country. The RN vacancy rate has decreased from 14 percent four years ago to one-half of one percent today. Statewide, the nurse vacancy rate is currently 15 percent.

"CLIENT" Health Network broke ground on a $160 million expansion in July 2003. The expansion will include a new patient tower, a 50-bed emergency room, 30 critical care beds, a professional office building, a parking structure, and a medical plaza. For the 2002 fiscal year, "CLIENT" Regional Medical Center's total revenue over expenses was X million. In 2003, census declined and the organization operated at a loss of X. In response, "CLIENT" has reorganized, and finance has recently embarked on a revenue cycle program to improve collections. The payor mix for the hospital is as follows:

Position Summary

The CEO is the strategic visionary who leads the executive team in fulfilling the mission of "CLIENT" Health Network through sound business practice and deep ties to the community. The CEO leads "CLIENT" toward a sustainable future of growth by building the management team, developing the strategic direction, and ensuring "Client's" commitment to providing high quality healthcare in a compassionate manner serving the needs of patients and their families.

Initial Priorities

• Assess the organization and develop a strategic plan to address quality, operations, finance, marketing, service delivery, and other related needs.
• Evaluate the current management structure and build a cohesive team focused on the organization's strategic direction.
• Build relationships with, and address the needs of, employees, patients, physicians, nurses and caregivers.
• Foster a strong community presence. Actively participate in key community organizations to increase the visibility of "CLIENT" and to collaborate on community healthcare projects.
• Create opportunities to earn the respect and confidence of the entire organization, from housekeeping to the Board of Directors.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Develop a strategic plan to enhance and focus "CLIENT" to a new level of quality and service that distinguishes the organization in the marketplace and increases market share.
• Build relationships with physicians. Listen to and address their needs. Collaborate to enhance marketing efforts, increase volumes, and make the organization the most attractive place to practice.
• Promote open, on-going communication and the sharing of information between physician leadership and the executive team.
• Assess past financial performance. Establish, monitor, and achieve rigorous financial goals.
• Develop an organizational management structure which will maximize productivity and satisfaction. Build a team accountable for achieving the mission and the operational objective's of "CLIENT".
• Evaluate renovation and construction projects; recommend the best path to move forward.
• Develop and implement continuous quality improvement and service delivery programs. Join with Human Resources to build on the caring, compassionate culture of "CLIENT".
• Partner with the Foundation's development team to identify opportunities for involvement and achieve fundraising goals.
• Continue investment in information technology to achieve clinical documentation and on-line ordering for nurses and physicians.
• Lead the organization through a new marketing campaign that differentiates "CLIENT" and emphasizes the community benefit it provides.
• Assume a highly visible and contributing role in the community. Develop a public relations strategy targeting key constituents and identifying opportunities for increased visibility.
• Make continuous efforts to be visible and available to employees, physicians, nurses and patient care staff.
• Continue supporting employee retention and recognition practices that ensure high employee satisfaction rates and make "CLIENT" the employer of choice in the area.
• Maintain an open dialogue with the Board of Directors. Leverage the passion and commitment of the Board to enhance the organization in the community.
• Provide leadership and guidance in stewarding the organization through change which integrates different points of view and builds ownership.

Candidate Qaulifications

Attributes

• Is a compassionate leader who exhibits warmth and provides clear, direct leadership. Builds strong teams and cultivates a culture of team work and collaboration.
• Demonstrates commitment to the mission of a faith-based, integrated delivery system.
• Demonstrates solid business acumen, understands the complexity of factors impacting the bottom line, and enjoys leading healthcare organizations to success by addressing operational and financial issues.
• Advocates for quality and emphasizes patient care as the top priority.
• Builds relationships easily and effectively across stakeholder groups by emulating integrity and inspiring confidence.
• Is action-oriented and outcomes-focused; has a reputation for following through.
• Makes tough decisions in a timely manner; provides feedback or delivers difficult news with honesty, tact, and respect.
• Collaborates effectively and solicits input. Is a model team player with excellent listening skills. Generates on-going dialogue with all stakeholders.
• Promotes cooperation and teamwork. Is inclusive of peers and/or key stakeholders when making decisions that effect the organization.
• As a leader, delegates appropriately and provides opportunities for the team to further develop their skills.
• Has a leadership style that fits with a mission-driven, warm, and compassionate organization.
• A sense of humor is essential.

Experience

• Minimum of ten years in senior leadership positions in a healthcare delivery system or stand-alone hospital of comparable size.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing continuous quality improvement centered around patient care and safety, and employee satisfaction.
• Experience with a faith-based organization is preferred.
• Must have a strong strategic planning skill set which should include successful turn-around and growth experience.
• Strong financial skills are required. Must have a proven track record of leading organizations through a financial turn-around.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated track record of public speaking and community involvement.
• Has led or overseen renovation and expansion projects.

Education

• A graduate degree in healthcare administration or a related field is required. An MBA is highly desirable.