Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Specialist

Overview

The Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Specialist is responsible to collaborate with ambulatory clinic leaders and staff, patient care teams (Quality, Regulatory, etc.), as well as IT and other Informatics teams to develop, implement, and coordinate standardization of information systems policies and procedures to promote the safe, efficient, and optimal use of the ambulatory information systems. The Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Specialist will collaborate with the Clinical Informatics Manager and CCIO to coordinate and facilitate workflow and process improvements in relation to IT systems in order to enhance the effectiveness of ambulatory clinical applications.  The Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Specialist will participate in organizational committees and serve as an expert Informatics resource, providing guidance and perspective on the design and development of information systems to ensure that implementations support and enhance patient care, as well as the organization’s operational and strategic priorities. The Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Specialist is responsible for providing initial training of ambulatory clinical applications to new providers, ambulatory staff, and super-users, as well as continuing education/training for all providers and super-users.  The Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Specialist must be able to multi-task, perform all duties independently with strong prioritization skills and be self-directed in utilizing resources to meet objectives.

Responsibilities

Systems Optimization/Maintenance:   The Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Specialist will participate and provide clinical input during ambulatory clinical information systems review, design, development/build, testing, validation, and implementation to support enhancement of ambulatory clinical information systems and end-user optimization. Understands ambulatory clinical workflows and processes, clinical best practices, and regulatory requirements, resulting in current and future workflow enhancements/upgrades and performance improvements to support clinician processes.  Performs validation on changes, upgrades, and modifications to the current integrated information system with coordination with IT and other Informatics teams. Able to multi-task, perform duties independently with strong prioritization skills and is self-directed in utilizing resources to meet objectives. Collaborates with IT and other Informatics’ departments to coordinate planned and unplanned downtimes. Will communicate with ambulatory providers and clinical staff and serves as a resource during downtime of critical systems.

Workflow and Process Improvement:  Develops and maintains a strong, effective working relationship with ambulatory clinic leaders and staff, as well as IT and other Informatics teams to ensure design application changes meet the organizational need. Maintains a visual presence, rounding routinely in assigned support areas and serves as a resource/contact for ambulatory providers and other clinical staff to assist and facilitate workflow and process improvement initiatives. Effectively receives, investigates and resolves issues reported by ambulatory staff, providers and leaders related to software, workflows and/or processes.  Will work to determine root cause(s) of problems/failures in collaboration with ambulatory leadership, IT and other Informatics teams, while following the organizational and operational change management processes.  Ensures that all changes are communicated to the operational leaders and stakeholders in a timely manner.

Training and Education: Provides initial training of ambulatory clinical applications to new ambulatory providers, staff, and Super-Users as well as continuing education for ambulatory clinical application(s), processes, workflows and functionality. Provides education materials, at the elbow support, and training of ambulatory EHR functionality and clinical workflows to support clinical educational needs and adoption.  The Ambulatory Clinical Informatics Specialist will have a thorough knowledge of ambulatory clinical applications used within the organization and is recognized as an expert in training ability.

Committee Support: Leads or participates in interdisciplinary committee(s), with a focus on IT solutions for improving ambulatory clinical processes such as OMT, Operational Change Management, etc., and communicates all follow-ups with identified stakeholders. Assists with process improvement activities and IT related patient safety opportunities to include operational requests for IT changes, RCA/FMEA for ambulatory clinical related IT issues and TJC (The Joint Commission) readiness assistance.

Other Duties as Assigned:  Other miscellaneous duties and responsibilities as assigned.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High School graduate or equivalent required. Current LPN or RN license required.  Minimum 3 years of medical practice experience preferred.  Experience as an ambulatory clinical IT subject matter expert or Super-User preferred with certified EHR applications.

Previous participation and/or leadership in a hospital committee preferred.

Strong understanding of ambulatory clinical workflow processes and performance improvements to support nursing and physician practice.

Demonstrated ability to be self-directed with excellent organization, analytical and interpersonal skills.

Experience in using Meditech and/or previous experience in Clinical Informatics is preferred.

Ability to work independently, and manage multiple projects with strong prioritizing skills.

Evidence of commitment to enhance professional growth and development through participation in continued educational programs, current literature, meetings, and trainings.

Strong Critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Microsoft Office – basic skills preferred (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Exhibits interpersonal skills and abilities to deal effectively with all levels of personnel. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Context

• Includes coordinating and leading others, demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

Physical Factors

• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• May require extended work hours and on-call coverage.
• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking. 
• Able to do frequent stooping and, on occasion, crouching, crawling or kneeling.  Ability to reach reasonable distance in any direction needed.  Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.  Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Includes infrequent exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, and hazardous material.  Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment. 
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Normal color vision for those tasks requiring color differentiation