Chief Operating Officer

Description

Salud Para La Gente (SALUD) provides high quality, comprehensive and cost-effective healthcare to underserved low-income communities in the Monterey Bay area, including Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County. We began in Watsonville 1978 as a storefront “free clinic,” and with the ever growing need for health services, in 1992 became a federally qualified community health center (FQHC). Today we are a primary health care network with 11 clinic sites, over 400 employees and continue to provide high quality services to patients of all ages.

SALUD offers a competitive salary and benefits package and a collaborative culture that values excellence, achievement, innovation and compassion.   

POSITION: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO)

DESCRIPTION: The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is responsible for the general operations of Salud Para La Gente (Salud). Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the COO acts as a leader, facilitator, strategic planner, developer, communicator, and change agent to ensure that Salud initiatives are implemented, monitored and improved. The COO provides leadership and oversight to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of operations. The role also leads Salud’s patient satisfaction improvement efforts, achievement of visit revenue projections as budgeted, and the execution of its quality and practice transformation strategies. The COO is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, which is responsible for setting the agency’s goals and direction and maintaining alignment with Salud’s mission and vision. This position is responsible for administrative decisions in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Essential functions include but are not limited to clinical operations:

• In partnership with the CMO, provide leadership to Saluds clinical departments across both primary care and specialty care. Together the COO and CMO are accountable for building high functioning department teams focused on delivering exceptional clinical quality and patient care. The position oversess Salud’s nursing, front office and care coordination staff.  
• Translate Salud strategic objectives into operations. 
• Direct the effective use of resources to support Salud’s operational objectives.  
• Ensure that efficient systems for care delivery are in place. 
• Champion departmental and multi-specialty patient care improvement initiatives.   
• Guide the implementation and improvement of services, programs and workflows. 
• Engage in the development and implementation of the quality improvement and practice transformation efforts, to include population health and disease management strategies.
• Provide leadership and oversight to Salud’s operational support functions, which includes the Appointment and Advice Center, Provider and Staff Scheduling, Interpreter Services, Medical Records and Outside Referrals.
• Ensure high levels of service performance within each functional department.  
• Promote a culture that is focused on collaboration with internal stakeholders.   
• Foster strong integration, effective coordination and solid teamwork between functional leaders and clinical department leaders.  
• Direct the efficient use of departmental resources.   
• Provide oversight to Salud’s Community Health Services function. In conjunction with the CEO, define the community health priorities of the organization to ensure that they align with Salud’s strategic plan. Advance and leverage external stakeholder partnerships. 
• Working with the CFO, coordinate financial and budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, and/or increase efficiency. Accountable for the budgetary performance of Salud’s clinical departments and operational support functions. 
• Prepare budgets for approval, including those for grant funding or implementation of programs. Ensure budgets and grant proposals align with operations. 
• Work with department leaders to review budgetary performance.
• In close collaboration with the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO): 
• support and implement professional development for department managers, leads and teams
• represent Salud patient’s interests when communicating with labor
• participate in union meetings and labor negotiations
• Support and collaborate closely with the CEO on strategic planning, decision-making, and overall leadership of the organization. Represents the CEO at internal and external meetings, functions, and events as required, effectively conveying the CEO's vision and directives to various stakeholders. Possesses authority to make critical operational and strategic decisions in the absence of the CEO, ensuring the continuity of business operations and adherence to the company's mission and values.
• Ensure that SPLG’s patient care and operations meet regulatory compliance requirements. Interpret policies, rules, regulations, or laws relevant to the organization. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: 

• Health care administration in a non-profit ambulatory care environment.
• Regulations affecting community health care clinic delivery systems. 

Ability to: 

• Lead through Influence – demonstrate success in leading through influence and exerts positive influence in others to build trust and become a true driving force toward excellence.
• Be a Change Leader – Extensive experience leading change, even during uncertain times, with unclear guidelines and/or parameters.
• Be a Relationship Builder – demonstrate expert relationship-building capabilities. Maintains productive relationships during times of disagreement and connects with a diverse group of individuals.
• Communicate the vision, strategy, and performance issues to the organization.  
• Inspire commitment and energize others to achieve performance excellence.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• Five years’ experience in a health care setting, with a minimum of two years in a senior management role.

Preferred qualifications:

• MPH, MHA, or MBA
• FQHC experience
• Prior experience as a Chief Operations Officer
• Bilingual, Spanish/English

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Standing, walking, sitting, typing, reaching, may move or lift up to 25 pounds.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Range:  $204,276.47 - $248,299.32/year

Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision and Life insurances, Voluntary Life Insurance, Voluntary Long Term Disability, 4O1K with employer contribution, FSA for dependent care, PTO and Holiday Pay.

**Salud is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Salud is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Salud Human Resources Department, [831-728-8250, and HRDept@splg.org].**