At Houston Methodist, the Access & Capacity Consultant position is responsible for providing support to the hospital entities and physician organization by optimizing resource allocation and utilization, identifying operational bottlenecks, and developing strategies and sustaining capacity interventions in an effort to improve patient access. The Access & Capacity Consultant is responsible for coordinating and managing process improvement initiatives through practical application of electronic health record (EHR) best practices while ensuring goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frame and requirements. This position also functions as a trainer and advisor to clinical and operational leaders within the organization.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Effectively communicates with key stakeholders to obtain information and build consensus related to strategic patient access initiatives to support key decision making.

• Collaborates routinely with IT colleagues to investigate and resolve outstanding issues identified within the EHR.

• Develops strong relationship with operational leaders and physicians to effectively collaborate on patient access strategies; confidently communicates technical enhancements to improve patient access to these groups.

• Fosters positive team dynamics and communication within and between departments; participates in department process improvements related to patient access, as needed.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides education and training of clients on the utilization and adaptation of EHR and access platforms and systems.

• Coordinates and facilitates access and capacity goals for a portfolio of ambulatory specialties and/or hospital services through template design management and optimization.

• Supports operational leaders by researching, collecting and analyzing clinic metrics and statistics to drive scheduling efficiency and process improvement.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses and optimizes information systems to enhance operations; supports entity-specific performance improvement and data management/analysis functions.

• Leverages system dashboards and reports to guarantee data accuracy when fulfilling consulting requests.

• Ensures quality and timely issue resolution and effective communication among all stakeholders.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares, delivers and reviews monthly utilization reports with applicable departments to support operational leaders financial and productivity targets.

• Self-motivated to manage time effectively and ensure daily and monthly tasks are fulfilled in a timely manner.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Proactively evaluates processes; recommends and implements action plan(s) for change to increase patient access; follows through to ensure effective, sustainable change.

• Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one's area and other areas, teams, departments, and units to achieve business goals.

• Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, and consults with team experts to meet those needs.

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.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years of experience in decision support, clinical or business operations; may consider HM employees with three years of experience

• Experience with EHR system environments such as EPIC, Cerner, Athena

• Experience training end users on system utilization preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

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

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, 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

• 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 data analysis and problem resolution skills

• Strong ability to evaluate, prioritize and problem solve a variety and multiplicity of tasks and ensure timely and accurate completion

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills

• Computer proficiency with intermediate level skills for document and spreadsheet, process mapping and flow chart diagrams (Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment

• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace

• Strong communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate throughout all levels of the organization

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* Yes

TRAVEL

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. Houston Methodist 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 area. Houston Methodist 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, Houston Methodist employs more than 27,000 employees and is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide high quality patient care.

Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.