Director of Anesthesia Services

About the Job:

At the direction of the Chief Physician Executive or his or her designee, the Director of Anesthesia Services (the director) works with the partners of Amoskeag Anesthesia, PLLC (the practice) to manage the complete business and operational needs of the practice and create a transparent model for information flow that is shared between the practice and the Elliot Health System, inclusive of all its locations (the hospital). This unique position will provide an advanced administrative function to the practice to ensure optimized operations of anesthesia services at all Elliot locations, streamlined decision making regarding the deployment of resources from the hospital on a continuous basis, and management of the professional services arrangement. The director will also serve as a liaison to National Partners in Healthcare, PLLC (NPH), an equity partner of the practice that provides revenue cycle function, analytics and basic office management. This liaison function will be critical for obtaining and optimizing data reporting for the purpose of decision making.

What You’ll Do:

Strategic & Business Planning

• In partnership with the practice and the hospital and aligned with organizational goals, develop a multiyear strategy for Anesthesia Services at Elliot Health System. Measurable KPIs should be created for longitudinal measurement and course correction.
• In partnership with practice physician leadership, implement and oversee all operational terms of professional service agreements between the hospital and the practice.
• In partnership with the hospital, the practice, and NPH (the parties) develop a process for budget variance requests, adjudication, and funds flow, aligning with all contractual relationships in place with the practice.
• Maintain knowledge of market, compensation, and pay strategies for retaining and attracting talent.

Operational Leadership

• Provide administrative oversight of all anesthesia services of the practice to the hospital, Elliot One Day Surgical Center and pain management practices including staffing, performance, throughput, and care delivery optimization. Cost avoidance and effectiveness tactics should be routinely and fully explored and understood.
• Support daily non-clinical operations management ensuring patient access, clinical workflow, provider productivity, and efficient use of resources.
• Implement the Elliot Management System to the practice to enhance internal communication, problem solving, and allow for early recognition of resource needs related to opportunities for improvement.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational transparency through visible leadership and ongoing use of Lean management tools.
• Ensure appropriate staffing for the practice to meet all anesthesia needs of Elliot Health System and align with any contractual arrangements between the hospital and the practice.
• Develop and maintain a robust recruitment and retention program for Physicians and Certified Nurse Anesthetists
• In partnership with the practice and NPH, review and make recommendations for FTE requirements and salaries. Ensure that compensation is competitive, and that staffing is not a barrier to growth.
• In partnership with the practice, identifies succession planning and leadership development strategies for key clinical and operational roles to ensure long-term strength and resilience of the practice.

Financial Responsibility and Resource Planning

• In concert with NPH and hospital Finance, build an annual operating budget.
• In collaboration with hospital finance and NPH produce a monthly income statement for the practice and lead monthly operating reviews with hospital and practice leadership that include presentation of analysis of variances and any relevant corrective action and/or optimization plans.
• In collaboration with surgical service leaders and the practice, determine capital needs of the organization to ensure optimized anesthesia performance.
• Work with NPH leadership to optimize billing and advance new or enhanced revenue streams.
• In collaboration with NPH, leverage clinical decision support and analytic tools from both organizations to develop reporting that that will assist clinical and operational leaders understand cost of care, contribution margins, profitability, and performance by DRG or episode.
• Collaborate with NPH, hospital finance, and analytics teams to ensure clinical decisions are informed by data.

Clinical and Quality Oversight

• Partner with the practice to ensure that full participation with the Elliot Quality Management System is achieved. This includes but is not limited to management of the Anesthesia Clinical Specialty Review Committee (CSRC) and participation in Surgical Excellence and the Surgical Quality Safety Committee. Appropriate minutes and loop closure documentation must occur at the CSRC level. Standard required quality metrics must be delivered regularly and consistently.
• Accountability and ownership of DNV NIAHO guidelines and ISO certification standards and adherence as it pertains to Anesthesia services.
• Advance continuous improvement, quality and safety initiatives, and consistency in clinical standards across the continuum.
• Ensure that the programs and services are aligned to the principles of Just Culture and Whole System Quality.
• Drive initiatives to improve patient and family experiences. Utilize NRC data to determine areas of strengths and opportunities in the patient experience of anesthesia care.

Governance and Collaboration

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and respect.
• Focus on driving alignment toward shared goals. Recognize that the practice has activity outside of the hospital, which is not in the scope of this position, but may impact decisions of the practice.
• Partner with senior leaders, practice leadership, nursing leadership, clinically integrated service leaders, and governing bodies to advance shared priorities.
• Collaborate with medical staff, the practice, and hospital administration regarding service expansion, new programs, and growth strategy.
• Serve as a key liaison to external partners and vendors who interact with Anesthesia services.
• Maintain excellent communication with all partners.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Works under the direction of and collaboration with Senior Leadership and the practice to define strategic plans, organizational objectives and goals, implementation plans and measurement tools to monitor successful completion of objectives.
• Leads as a representative of EHS’s core mission, vision and values, demonstrating integrity in the process while accountable for results.
• Defines, analyzes, and reviews performance against operating plans.
• Applies expertise to generate new ideas and concepts in operations and services, which will increase quality, profitability and/or productivity.
• Leads exceptional customer service and access standards, accountable for quality reporting and continuous improvement plans, and drives efficient operations.
• Prepares and implements business plans including goals for clinical quality, customer satisfaction, provider alignment, financial performance and operational results.
• Fosters a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Able to collaborate effectively within matrixed reporting relationships.
• Able to make complex decisions in rapidly changing situations.
• Uses critical reasoning and analytical skills to make sound decisions impacting daily business outcomes.
• Able to effectively multitask and manage multiple competing business priorities.

Who You Are:

• Master’s Degree or Doctorate in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business, Public Health, or related healthcare field. Previous administrative responsibilities.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in healthcare leadership. Experience in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to drive quality improvement initiatives. Background in managing budgets, resources, and operational expenses. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement. Proven experience leading complex care delivery programs. Epic experience preferred.
• In-depth understanding of healthcare quality standards, regulatory requirements, and accreditation processes. Familiarity with the latest developments in relevant fields. Knowledge of evidence-based practice guidelines and clinical quality metrics in related fields.
• Strong collaborative leadership and project management skills. Experience with the suite of Microsoft products including Excel, Word, Visio, Teams and PowerPoint programs. Excellent verbal and written communication with ability to synthesize and present with ease. Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation to inform decision-making. Proficiency with quality management systems and tools, including ISO documentation and QMS software (e.g., EzTrack).
• Ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams. Ability to foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Ability to conduct program evaluations. Ability to collaborate effectively within matrixed reporting relationships. Ability to develop comprehensive roadmaps.

Why You’ll Love Us:

• Health, dental, prescription, and vision coverage for full-time & part-time employees
• Short-term, long-term disability, life & pet insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Eligible for sign on bonus and annual leadership bonus
• 403(b) Retirement savings plans
• Continuous earned time accrual