Hospital Chief Operating Officer

Since opening our doors in 1950, the caregivers at St. Francis - Emory Healthcare have been committed each day to providing the highest quality care in west Georgia and east Alabama. With 376 beds on two campuses, more than 2,500 associates, and 300 physicians, we offer a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room services, including the only open-heart surgery program in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under general direction, the COO assumes line responsibility and authority for the administrative direction, evaluation, and coordination of the functions and activities of assigned departments within the hospital, ensuring that operation objectives and results are in accord with the hospital’s overall needs. In the absence of the hospital CEO and/or as assigned, the COO represents the CEO in coordinating entire portions of the hospital’s organization, speaking and acting within the scope of objectives set forth in the practice and/or policy of the hospital.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Provides administrative direction for operations of assigned departments and appraises the performance of the respective departments’ heads, including authority to hire and fire, but subject to the veto of the CEO.

Communicates routinely with the CEO concerning policy recommendations and suggested courses of action pertinent to the efficient operation of assigned departments.

Implements new policies; disseminates pertinent information following administrative directives; and recommends improvement of hospital facilities in assigned areas, including construction or renovation of structures and purchase of new equipment.

Promotes complete involvement of the departments’ heads in the preparation of the departments’ budgets and educates them in the importance of the budget, forecasting and planning process.

Advises and makes recommendations to the CEO concerning budget, cost, and financial matters and encourages and assists department heads in establishing a measure of performance, increased productivity, quality improvement, cost controls, and maximum utilization of facilities.

Advises the CEO where executive action is necessary to accomplish these goals and he/she plans the activities of the individual departments in relation to other hospital departments so as to obtain a better understanding of each other’s’ problems.

Attends medical staff meetings and/or medical staff committee meetings, as assigned or requested, and informs the CEO of proceedings at the meetings attended and recommends action as necessary.

Represents the hospital by membership in related professional associations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

Demonstrated leadership and complex organizational management skills within an acute healthcare environment.

Strong business acumen, ability to assess opportunities for innovation, revenue generation, partnership, and enhanced care.

Sensitivity for and understanding of hospital disciplines and issues.

The ability to work with physicians, staff and professionals in multiple settings and locations and to promote diversity in the workplace.

Significant and demonstrable evidence of rigorous financial management/ control experience and ability

Self-motivated, with resilience and perseverance to ensure that targets and key organizational goals are reliably and consistently delivered.

Demonstrable experience of leading and effectively managing change in large complex environments and of delivering culture shift.

EDUCATION: Master’s degree in hospital administration (MHA)

Experience: Verbal, quantitative and interpersonal skills typically acquired through the completion of a Bachelor’s degree; in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of hospital administration equivalent to the knowledge acquired through the completion of a Master’s degree in hospital administration (MHA).