OSITION PURPOSE 

The System Executive Director, Transfer Services, will develop and help implement strategies that enable growth, promote network integrity, and ensure operational efficiencies that streamline “radically convenient,” friction-free patient transfers within, and/or out of the MercyOne system. The selected candidate will be responsible for providing strategic guidance and leadership to transfer center operations, bed management, patient flow, and ensuring quality patient care.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

The executive director will have oversight and accountability for all transfer center operations, collaborating with physicians, staff, and MercyOne market ministries to ensure seamless access for patients and providers. The executive director will maintain a global view of capacity and services available across MercyOne, taking necessary actions to balance the system and ensure patients stay in the MercyOne network whenever possible, receiving the appropriate clinical services in the facility closest to home.  

The executive director will have an integral role in the oversight and strategy development of MercyOne’s transfer system, primarily focused on patient access, provider experience, quality, and network integrity. The selected individual will help manage access, capacity, and throughput across MercyOne and will make decisions related to the design, build, responsibilities of, and launch of the selected transfer model. 

The executive director will expedite, prioritize, synchronize, and mediate escalated clinical issues or barriers. The selected candidate will oversee the system-wide daily capacity huddle to provide visibility to beds, services, and patient needs across the system. The individual will proactively identify process improvement strategies to improve patient flow, system balance and enhance network integrity. The executive director will continually work to improve transfer system operations and how the staff interacts with technology, driving best practices in operational workflow and processes.  

Leading People - The executive director will lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, specifically promoting the mindset of “One MercyOne,” while effectively managing personnel and resources. The selected candidate will develop and lead a Transfer System Oversight Council, with significant physician membership, to ensure continuous improvement and the highest adherence to patient quality and safety standards. 

Leading Change – The executive director acts as a catalyst for organizational change by communicating a compelling vision and need for change that generates excitement, enthusiasm, and commitment to the process. This individual clearly communicates the direction, required performance, and challenges of change to all involved parties across MercyOne, and identifies and enlists the support of key individuals and groups to move the change forward. This individual will work collaboratively with market and system leadership, EMS, Population Health leadership and Care Management leadership, Regional EMS, and Marketing to create solutions that accomplish organizational objectives. The executive director will support the implementation of change initiatives and serve as a role model by demonstrating commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in organizational performance. This individual will proactively assess the need for change by discussing services and identifying areas of opportunities by visiting entity hospitals and standardizing the sharing of best practices within the system.  

Results Driven – The executive director will consistently meet or exceed system organizational goals and expectations of patients, physicians, and sending / receiving facilities, by developing and maintaining a seamless transfer process into and out of MercyOne. This individual will make decisions that produce patient-centric results by applying knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. The selected individual will develop a strong understanding of the overall financial performance of the organization and apply financial concepts and practices to develop and manage the budget for transfer center operations. The executive director will ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality services and will be committed to continuous improvement, while also using cost-benefit thinking to set priorities. This individual will ensure the creation of a business continuity plan to allow for continued operations during phone and system downtime. The executive director will also be responsible for staff development and advancement and maintaining productivity standards.

Innovation – The executive director will set the vision for MercyOne as a national industry leader in transfer center services and patient flow. This individual will stay abreast of new industry developments and continually seek ways to deliver high quality, convenient care to patients through new processes, tools, and technologies as appropriate.  

Outreach and Business Development – The executive director will regularly engage with internal/external physicians and other stakeholders for feedback, monitoring and sharing key performance metrics at least monthly with internal stakeholders and MercyOne leadership. This individual will engage with referring physicians and hospitals regularly through outreach and help develop a coordinated strategy for building and strengthening physician relationships across the state. The executive director will promote growth of key services and proactively identify additional business development opportunities for the MercyOne system.  

Additional responsibilities include: Working with MercyOne system and market leaders to optimize key quality metrics and financial outcomes. Providing oversight into embedded infrastructure, including quality improvement, analytics, staff training, care management, and telecom support. Ensuring strategic coordination with dispatch. Ensuring transfer processes support compliance with EMTALA and all other applicable laws. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Education: Master's degree in Nursing, Health Care Administration, Business Administration, or related field.  

Experience:   

• Experience managing multiple departments or facilities preferred. 

• Minimum five (5) years of hospital leadership experience in a complex health system with proven results. Nursing background is strongly preferred.  

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Expertise in administering quality improvement efforts, clinical services, and regulatory compliance programs.  

• Understanding and experience with Quality Data, Risk Adjustment, value-based payment models, and ACO Enablement strategies 

• Experience in program development, conflict resolution, and joint venture development. 

• Successfully collaborating with physicians, administrators, nurses, and other providers in interdisciplinary teams to continuously improve patient care. 

• Proven ability to innovate and learn new concepts quickly and then adapt from those concepts to develop and execute operational plans. 

• Strong knowledge of IT systems and abilities required. 

• Ability to direct analysis of large data sets. 

• Demonstrated financial and budget management skills. 

• Demonstrated inter-personal skills including collaboration, compassion, empathy, and ability to achieve objectives through others. 

• Detail orientated and strong follow-up skills 

• Strong executive presence with excellent communications skills, both written and verbal 

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with an executive team on strategic and tactical activities. 

• Proven ability to collaborate and work effectively across a large organization, able to handle a variety of issues, handle multiple tasks and simultaneously thrive in an environment with multiple competing priorities. 

• Background in strategy, program and project management/process improvement, or business development.