Job Summary:
The Director Urology is part of a team of leaders who directly influence the outcomes, success, and growth of the program. As the ‘architect’ and inspirational leader for this integral part of the institution, the Director Urology should lead, organize and direct all Urological services. The Director Urology should function in close collaboration with the Chairman of Urology, all Urologists, nursing leadership, patient care services, planning, finance, marketing and senior administration to develop and implement a strategic plan for urologic services throughout Erlanger’s Regional Network. This Position will work in collaboration with physician services leadership for the Erlanger Medical Group Practices.

In addition, the Director, Urology is responsible for developing growth strategies including marketing and coordination of services. Responsibilities also include efforts to improve efficiencies which ultimately impact the operating margin for Urology system wide and throughout the region.

A Urology Service Council comprised of leaders from within the institution should create the vision for the Urology Department. Membership may include, but not limited to, physician leaders in Urology and Urologic surgery, nursing, social services, finance, business development, public relations, physical therapy, case management, service excellence, quality/ performance improvement, Erlanger Medical Group and environmental services. The Director Urology should work with the council in executing the vision and strategic planning for this departments.

Education:
Required:
Bachelor’s Degree in business, health care administration, or related field

Preferred:
Master’s Degree in health/hospital administration, business administration, or related field

Experience:
Required:
Must have at least 4 years’ experience as a leader in a Hospital environment, with preference for an individual who has built a program. Preference with Urology experience.

Specific experience with hospital services, practice management, practice management systems, financial management, and clinical management systems.

Comprehensive knowledge of business principles and techniques of administration, organization, and management to include an in-depth understanding of the key business issues that exist in the health care industry, particularly related to physicians, medical schools, and medical education These include, but are not limited to, knowledge of strategic and operational planning, health care economics, personnel administration, federal, state, and local laws, financial management, and trends in the health care industry.

At least 5 years of progressive experience in managing functions and departments in a clinical or clinical education environment with a knowledge of work flows and systems.

Knowledge of business office operations, particularly pertaining to third party billing and reimbursement activities.

Knowledge of process analysis and design.

Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements and their application to academic medical centers and academic physician practices.

Proven skills in interpersonal relationships, planning, organizing, and follow-up, budget preparation and monitoring, and management and leadership.

Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities, be a team member and educate others, relate to all levels of the organization, comprehend complex and technical subjects, create and motivate behavior changes, translate financial and technical language to lay audiences, and plan, implement, and monitor processes in a complex health care environment.

Preferred:
At least 3 years of direct management responsibility for a clinical setting, including budget responsibility is preferred.
Quality Improvement Experience in relationship to high performance programs.

Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration
Required:

Preferred:
FACHE- Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives

Department Position Summary:
The Director Urology develops and implements high-level strategies and provides overall management of operations and resources for the Urology Departments. The Director Urology is responsible for the development, communication and implementation of a strategic plan to grow the program in volume, breadth, and depth of services. Accountable for the operations of Urology
in a manner that ensures patient safety, meets or exceeds national quality standards, and is responsive to the need of the patients, their families, and the Medical Staff. Manages, directly and indirectly, the Associates involved in the daily operations and strategic planning of Urology. Other responsibilities include financial management, human resource management and management of the revenue cycle for the Urology in accordance with corporate policies and procedures, regulatory guidelines, and statutes. May supervise leaders in other assigned areas. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in the EHS Mission, Vision and Values. The essential functions are as follows:
Provides strong leadership and direction in establishing a Urology department that meets or exceeds national quality standards. Ensures compliance with hospital, JCAHO/DNV, and other regulatory authorities.
In collaboration with system leadership, will assist in facilitation and coordination of system wide initiatives involving cardiovascular services.
Partners with physicians, nursing, other clinicians, and families to create a clear vision for the Urology Department Develops a strategic plan that clarifies steps for implementing the vision, reflects an understanding of the healthcare market including threats, opportunities and industry trends, and positions the Urology Department for success. Communicates the vision to internal and external constituents.
Creates a culture of high clinical and professional standards, family centered care and service to referring physicians.
Leads and facilitates the effort to integrate all aspects of Urology, including those outside of direct reporting relationship, into a single comprehensive department. Plans, organizes, develops, and implements operations to meet the needs of Urology patients, their families, and physicians throughout the full continuum of care. Meets corporate and departmental goals while directing, coordinating, and developing policies, procedures, and processes for Urology.
Supports the physician of Urology in the continual development of the academic mission, including the fellowship program and continuous medical education. Assists non-physician clinical leaders in establishing a culture of continual learning. Develops clinical experts to actively participate in educational programs affiliated with local clinical degree programs, and provides presentations to medical staff and personnel.
In partnership with the Foundation, identifies extramural funding for new or expanded research, academic or clinical programs.
Through the identification of grants and other funding, promotes research by physicians and other clinicians to create the next generation of techniques and technologies.
Prepares and administers an annual expense budget, capital request budget, and human resource utilization plan for hospital services within Urology; participates in preparation and administration of EHS�s annual expense budget, capital request budget and human resource plan for physician services within the Urology Practices.
Lead business plan development process for new programs and services.
Works directly with the Business Development team to grow market share in the locally and regionally.
Promotes and builds strong professional and collegial relationships with Medical Staff, ancillary departments, and other internal and external partners.
Provides support on administrative (contractual, legal, financial) matters for Urology Faculty/ Medical Staff. Advocates for the needs of the Urology with EHS, UT, and hospital administrations.
Develops a medical/executive committee structure that facilitates department planning and communication.
Operationally responsible for various cardiovascular service areas as assigned.

Maintains regular contact with the Urology Associates, administration, management, staff, and multidisciplinary physicians, as well as departments that include Marketing, Nursing, Quality Improvement, and Finance.

Maintains regular contact with staff members and physicians of Urology, the Dean of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine – Chattanooga, physician practice groups, EHS, various professional organizations, regulatory agencies, other hospitals, and national colleagues.

Maintains regular contact with staff members and physicians of Urology, the Dean of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine – Chattanooga, physician practice groups, EHS, various professional organizations, regulatory agencies, other hospitals, and national colleagues.

I. Essential Functions of Director Urology Position:
A. Strategic Operations and Financial Management

Provide overall operational leadership and direction for the urology departments including, strategic and financial planning, annual budgeting, recruiting, purchasing and marketing.

Develop and implement strategic plan for the urology departments as well as related business development and annual work plan.

Provide leadership for the Urology Departments.

Develop plans to assure successful financial performance of the Urology departments, including analysis of various financial reports/statements.

Measure, monitor and improve the operations of the Urology services focusing on operational, financial, and clinical outcomes. Develop metrics/quality measures that include patient volume, length of stay, payer mix, case mix index, profit and loss, complications rates, mortality and morbidity rates, delays in discharge, tests and procedures, inter/intra-hospital transfers, and patient/family satisfaction.

Report these measures locally to personnel that are held accountable for improvements.

Plan, organize, direct and evaluate the work of the Urology departments in support of achieving the mission, vision and goals of the organization. On an annual basis develop and update to the Urology Services Strategic Business Plan.

B. Patient Care Management
Establish and coordinate services and care standards to assure continuity and consistency of care.

Ensure safe care to patients adhering to policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications, including time management, supply management, productivity, and accuracy of practice.

Create a Urology department that becomes seamless to the patient. This includes assessing access, patient physician encounter, and timeliness of treatments, coordination of inpatient and outpatient care follow-up and overall customer experience.

C. Performance Improvement and Reporting
Define and implement ongoing Performance Improvement Program, while promoting the integration and coordination of services.

Provides appropriate regular reporting to the Leadership team on Urology department performance/issues.

Develop, monitor, and report on performance indicators including productivity, financial, access, customer service, employee satisfaction, and referral trends.

Works with clinical leaders to assure quality and cost-effective outcomes of services rendered. Provide leadership for identifying and capturing opportunities for process improvements.

D. Teamwork Building and Human Resources
Maintain a high level of technical competency; provide training and personnel assessment.

Promote individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education, skills competency, supports document-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to the less experienced staff.

Work closely with the Chairman of Urology to provide an optimal environment for physicians and staff. Proactively develop a collaborative relationship in to order to create a culture that is highly productive. Manage and facilitate effective communication and motivation between urologic practitioners and senior management.

Assess the short-term and long-term professional staffing needs for Urology Services. Develop and execute recruitment plans to secure and retain the best people for each position.

E. Market Share Development
Identify growth opportunities for Urology services and general service area.

Enhance referral opportunities by evaluating current and future sources, while eliminating barriers to success and other inhibitors to maximizing this aspect of the department.

Study market to develop opportunities to increase service area.

F. Leadership
Demonstrate behaviors and actions that are consistent with the principles and core values; patient centered, teamwork, and excellence.

Maintain an extensive network in the specialty of Urology Services and utilize contacts to enhance or improve services.

Proactively keep abreast of developments in best practice benchmarks and determines their impact on service areas.

The institution will rely heavily on this individual to impact the culture, morale and performance of the Urology department. Natural leadership qualities and the ability to demonstrate a consistent pattern of adding recognizable value.

II. Essential Skill Set:

The Director Urology covers a wide range of activity requiring him/her to have a skill set that is inclusive to the following:

Manage constant change and the ability to simultaneously maintain efficiency from an operational/expense perspective.
The ability to build cohesiveness and successfully execute planned goals and objectives. Skills specifically as a leader in planning, development, and implementation.
Can clearly establish performance standards and use metrics that can be tracked against timeliness to the organization’s performance at all times.
Offer original thoughts and perspectives that are valuable, innovative and achievable to the present and future outcomes of the Urology departments.

Must be a superior communicator with exceptional confidence when articulating all relevant issues and perspectives that affect the outcome of the departments.

Superb physician relation skills and understanding of their issues. Effectively engage with physicians by providing valuable insights and logical explanations when faced with confrontational or difficult questions. Must be able to develop and maintain effective relationships, across multiple entities, departments, and personnel.

He or she must be respected for their integrity, dependability, professionalism, expertise and judgment. Effectively foster a collaborative work style and display team-oriented behavior.

Must be creative; an innovative thinker who can develop imaginative methodologies addressing the fluidity of the marketplace and the industry in general. Strong entrepreneurial skills.

Should have strategic agility: can see ahead clearly and create competitive breakthrough plans based on understanding of Urology services.