Director, Special Projects for the Medical Service Plan within the Uni

Reports to: UIPG Executive Director and Chief Business Officer of the UIPG. Has a collaborative relationship with the Department leadership including Department Heads, Medical Directors, Directors of Administrative Operations and Clinic Directors.

Supervision: (May supervise any of all of the following): other academic professionals and civil service

Job Summary

Under minimal supervision, this position is responsible for management and implementation of special financial, operational and performance projects with selected clinical departments.

This position participates on and leads the Time-limited Operational, Performance, and Strategy (TOPS) team consisting of a Medical Service Plan (MSP) analyst and a project manager focused on time limited specific engagements around analysis and problem-solving of operational, financial, and strategic challenges facing selected academic clinical department.

The Director of Special Projects will be responsible for development and implementation of strategies and tactics to improve and strengthen the financial, operational, and overall performance of the clinical department of focus.

A strong background in health care administration and finance, operational experience of ambulatory clinics and a knowledge of financial analysis and strategy related to medical services, optimizing clinic workflows, and business development is essential.

Job Responsibilities (Essential)

Strategic Planning, Goal Setting, and Communications

Determine, plan, and establish the strategic course to improve and strengthen the operational and financial performance of selected clinical departments.

Study trends, innovative approaches, to apply new concepts towards meeting organizational, financial, and strategic goals.

Provide recommendations for right sizing provider scheduling and availability based upon clinical FTEs.

Attend all regularly scheduled Ambulatory Clinic Director meetings, Ambulatory Leadership meetings, Hospital Leadership meetings, Learning Development Institutes (LDIs), and monthly joint Clinic Medical Director (CMD)/Clinic Director (CD)/Chief Ambulatory Officer (CAO) meetings and daily safety operational huddles.

Responsible for monthly meetings with TOPS team, UIPG executive leadership for

regular dissemination of relevant information

New Business Development

Review and provides input into the modification of the clinic structure and its services to improve operations and/or services. Present proposals to Clinical Departmental Leadership and Ambulatory Services Administration.

Sharpen efficiencies, while boosting quality

Seize new growth opportunities

Identify opportunities to optimize clinical capacity, capture new volume and create strategic alliances

Assess integration of clinical objectives with provider incentive compensation arrangement.

Financial / Budgetary Responsibility

Review and analyze the annual budget for the clinic for opportunities to improve financial position in conjunction with the TOPS team and the UIPG Chief Business Officer. Optimize structure to support operations

Review and analyze the Clinic’s profit and loss, budget variances, and visit volumes.

Understand and utilize various management tools such as visit reconciliation, charge lag, Practice Profile, and MOTOR reports, as well as the medical group and Ambulatory KPI reports.

Perform feasibility and financial studies to determine value-added analysis, breakeven analysis, revenue generation, and return on the investment for all proposed new services or programs.

Assess revenue cycle processes and procedures for potential improvement, in conjunction with UIPG’s Revenue Cycle entity, WWT.

Design, develop and prepare reports, present information to UIPG Leadership on ongoing basis

Service Excellence

Identify opportunities to improve customer service, patient experience by addressing timely patient access, patient throughput and reductions in no-show rates. Utilize the UIH patient satisfaction management tool, review satisfaction scores regularly with CMD, identify and act on opportunities for improvement, and tracks progress

In collaboration with CMD, establish a staffing plan for clinic site(s) and adjust the plan according to changes in volume to maintain a high level of labor productivity, bargaining unit contracts, and customer patient satisfaction.

Perform other related duties and participate on committees, work groups, and/or special projects as assigned.

Job Knowledge & Skills, Education, Experience

Master’s Degree in Business Management, Health Care Administration or Public Health, and 3 years of experience in an outpatient care setting, including management experience in an academic environment

-OR-

Bachelor’s degree and a total of 7 years management level experience (supervisory and financial) in healthcare.

Working knowledge of health care in a physician office environment.

Solid knowledge of federal, state and Joint Commission clinical guidelines/standards and compliance for patient healthcare, safety and billing requirements and knowledge how to apply them in practice.

Financial acumen in understanding, preparing and managing operational budgets; attention to detail and critical thinking skillset

Ability to run reports in EPIC to provide analysis of revenue and expenses to identify trends

Intermediate skills using general office equipment, Microsoft suite of office products (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook).

Strong communication skills to interact and develop effective working relations

Interpersonal skills; ability to work with physicians in a collaborative manner.

Must possess problem solving skill, excellent analytical skills to read, analyze, and interpret business trends. Knowledge of guidelines and standards for accreditation by various outside entities is required.

The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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