Organization Overview, Mission, Vision, and Values

Our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical System is a community-owned, locally governed, non-profit health care system located in Northwest Arkansas in the heart of Fayetteville, which is consistently ranked among the Best Places to live in the country. Our 425-bed medical center has been named the #1 hospital in Arkansas for four consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. We employ 3,400+ team members and serve the region with over 45 clinic locations, the area’s only Level II trauma center, and five Centers of Excellence - the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute; Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute; Washington Regional Women and Infants Center; Washington Regional Total Joint Center; and Washington Regional Pat Walker Center for Seniors.

Position Summary

The Assistant Chief Operating Officer (the “ACOO”) reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (the “COO”). The ACOO is the principal executive responsible for organizing, planning, and managing the day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives of surgical services within the healthcare system. This position is responsible for the overall strategic direction, operational management, and financial performance of surgical services and assigned operational areas, including operating rooms, anesthesia, post-anesthesia care units, sterile processing, inpatient and outpatient surgical areas, pharmacy, medical laboratory, therapy services, and inpatient and outpatient imaging services. This position will work closely with department heads and other leaders to ensure smooth operations, quality care, and positive patient experiences and outcomes.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of Surgical Services, Laboratory, and Imaging, ensuring scheduling and workflow optimization, resource allocation, and adherence to regulatory standards.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for areas of oversight, including program development, growth initiatives, capital planning, and workforce management, including recruitment, retention, and development, ensuring alignment with System goals.
• Develop and implement productivity measures and methods of budget control within assigned areas of responsibility to further the mission, values, and strategic plan.
• Provide regular reporting to the COO on department performance, identifying areas of concern and recommend solutions.
• Oversee the development and implementation of standards, policies and procedures, critical paths, and other processes which integrate ancillary services across the Hospital and System.
• Ensure the highest standards of quality of care, compliance with all applicable regulations, standards, and accreditation requirements, and patient safety are operationalized and maintained.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, implement new technologies and best practices, and promote Accurately assess needs and services to develop an organizational culture focused on continuously improving performance to meet the changing needs of the community.
• Prepare and manage the budget and financial performance of areas of oversight, including cost control, revenue generation, and profitability working directly with accounting and decision support teams.
• Coordinate capital budget planning projects, working closely with the executive team to ensure collaboration and integration of capital requests with the hospital’s strategic plans and goals.
• Build strong relationships with surgeons, medical staff, community partners, and other stakeholders, fostering effective communication and collaboration.
• Actively participate with other hospital leaders (governing body, medical staff, clinical, and management leaders) on long range planning that promotes the Hospital’s and System’s strategic plan and supports future community health needs. In this regard, participates in the strategic planning of the hospital to optimize the role of ancillary services, supporting structures and systems.
• Help to develop and nurture an organizational culture which creates a clear vision for the future and defines the values that underlie day-to-day activities and meets the changing needs of the community. In this regard, work to establish and maintain a hospital working environment that fosters employee engagement, inclusion, shared decision-making, professional autonomy, lifelong learning, competency, and teamwork. Cultivate and sustain a culture that embraces and exemplifies professional practice, the development of future leaders and leadership excellence.
• Provide a framework and collaborative culture in which department directors can effectively plan, direct, coordinate, provide, and improve health care services.
• Lead, develop, and motivate a team of directors, managers, and other healthcare professionals within surgical services driving initiatives, performance, and engagement and focusing on Washington Regional’s mission, values, and strategic plan.
• Actively participate with Hospital and System management to ensure that the Hospital is in compliance with hospital facility and environment of care accreditation standards of The Joint Commission and related federal, state and local regulatory requirements, including Medicare Conditions of Participation, Rules and Regulations for Hospitals and Related Institutions in Arkansas, as administered by the Arkansas Department of Health.
• Oversee or actively participate in clinical research, medical education, and training programs, as necessary.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in business, healthcare administration or related field preferred.
• Arkansas Clinical Licensure is required, e.g. Registered Nurse (CNOR)

• Seasoned surgical services clinical leader with a minimum of seven (7) years of directly related healthcare leadership experience including data collection and analysis, leading teams and personnel to success around a common goal, experience and success in developing and implementing systematic changes and experience in implementing policy and procedures that perpetuate a customer centric environment.
• Possession of a valid Arkansas driver's license is a requirement for this job.

Professional Skills

• Demonstrated understanding and expertise in healthcare surgical services, laboratory, and imaging departments.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage teams.
• Extensive experience in healthcare administration or management.
• Approximately seven to ten years progressively more responsible related work experience which includes five to seven years supervisory and managerial experience, in order to effectively direct and manage activities within patient and customer experience and services.
• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary in order to provide effective leadership to subordinate personnel and effectively communicate with a wide variety of hospital personnel, community residents and outside agencies personnel.
• Advanced analytical skills necessary in order to develop and implement new policies techniques and procedures, determines need for capital equipment, personnel, expense and revenue budgets, and prepare special and recurring reports or analyses.