Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007
Management Engineer - Process Improvement for Kansas City hospitals

HCA Midwest Division

Send resumes to:
John Sweeney
HCA Management Engineering
Midwest Division Office
903 East 104th Street, 5th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64131

Or e-mail - john.sweeney@hcahealthcare.com

Job Description:

SUMMARY

This role serves as support staff to management, staff, and teams in the areas of process improvement, productivity standards development, organizational development, performance monitoring, resource allocation, scheduling and statistical analysis. This position requires an individual who is a self-starter, has the ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple facilities, work with only general supervision on assigned projects and activities, demonstrates tact and diplomacy in situations of conflict and controversy and demonstrates excellent communication and presentation skills.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyzes all aspects of hospital operations for potential improvement opportunities. Designs and recommends processes, systems, procedures, and operational changes to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Assists in the establishment of operational work measurements or staffing standards, and the monitoring and analysis PLUS reports and Benchmark.
• Works with the Director of Management Engineering, senior management, departmental and interdepartmental staff in identifying operational problems and inefficiencies, assists in the development and evaluation of alternatives and improvements, and assists in the establishment of implementation plans.
• Serves as a technical advisor and analyst to hospital management and teams on the use of process improvement tools and techniques, analytical techniques, and statistical applications.
• Develops and maintains productivity standards for hospital activities to be used in determining and evaluating staffing patterns, personnel utilization, and required costs. Utilizes PLUS data for establishing and/or evaluating staffing patterns, personnel utilization, and required costs. Recommends staffing levels and skill mix distribution based on developed standards and comparative information, as appropriate.
• Uses the HCA Benchmark system to assist departments in productivity and cost improvement.
  Support educational programs developed by HCA.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to the Director of Management Engineering.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering and at least two years of healthcare (hospital-based) management engineering experience with emphasis on process improvement activities or substituting for the required experience a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering with at least 6 months of healthcare (hospital-based) management engineering experience. Education and healthcare experience may have been obtained concurrently.
• Analytical ability to gather, organize and interpret data, to identify discrepancies, problems or issues, to obtain advice when precedents are unclear or unavailable.
• Communication and/or interpersonal skills for routine contacts with internal and some external customers/stakeholders to discuss primarily factual information. Discretion and conflict resolution skills are exercised, primarily with people within the unit/function. Courtesy and listening skills are required for interactions with various operating unit personnel. The ability to read and comprehend procedures and technical literature in specific functional area are necessary.
• Knowledge of Industrial Engineering principles such as work flow analysis, statistical analysis, work simplification, time standard and staffing analysis, LEAN concepts and process improvement techniques as they apply to healthcare management system processes and operations.
• Proficiency in the use of a personal computer with advanced knowledge of various software applications including word processing, database, spreadsheets, and SPC software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.