Clinical Informaticist, RN

Overview

The Clinical Informaticist is responsible to collaborate with operational leaders, patient care teams (Quality, Medication Safety, PI, etc.), as well as IT and other Informatics teams to develop, implement, and coordinate standardization of information systems policies and procedures to promote the safe, efficient, and optimal use of the information systems. The Clinical Informaticist will collaborate with the Clinical Informatics Manager and CCIO to coordinate and facilitate workflow and process improvements in relation to IT systems in order to enhance the effectiveness of clinical applications. The Clinical Informaticist will participate in organizational committees and serve as an expert Informatics resource, providing guidance and perspective on the design and development of information systems to ensure that implementations support and enhance patient care, as well as the organization’s operational and strategic priorities. The Clinical Informaticist is responsible for providing initial training of clinical applications to new medical staff physicians, resident physicians, locum physicians, mid-level providers, and medical students, as well as continuing education/training for all providers and super-users. The Clinical Informaticist must be able to multi-task, perform all duties independently with strong prioritization skills and be self-directed in utilizing resources to meet objectives.

Responsibilities

Systems Optimization/Maintenance: The Clinical Informaticist will participate and provide clinical input during clinical information systems review, design, development/build, testing, validation, and implementation to support enhancement of clinical information systems and end-user optimization. Understands clinical workflows and processes, clinical best practices, and regulatory requirements, resulting in current and future workflow enhancements/upgrades and performance improvements to support clinician processes. Performs validation on changes, upgrades, and modifications to the current integrated information system with coordination with IT and other Informatics teams. Able to multi-task, perform duties independently with strong prioritization skills and is self-directed in utilizing resources to meet objectives. Collaborates with IT and other Informatics’ departments to coordinate planned and unplanned downtimes. Will communicate with providers and clinical staff and serves as a resource during downtime of critical systems.

Workflow and Process Improvement: Develops and maintains a strong, effective working relationship with operational leaders and staff, as well as IT and other Informatics teams to ensure design application changes meet the organizational need. Maintains a visual presence, rounding routinely in assigned support areas and serves as a resource/contact for providers, nurses and other clinical staff to assist and facilitate workflow and process improvement initiatives. Effectively receives, investigates and resolves issues reported by staff, providers and operational leadership related to software, workflows and/or processes. Will work to determine root cause(s) of problems/failures in collaboration with operational leadership, IT and other Informatics teams, while following the organizational and operational change management processes. Ensures that all changes are communicated to the operational leaders and stakeholders in a timely manner. Participates in informatics on-call coverage to ensure clinician processes are supported at all times.

Training and Education: Provides initial training of clinical applications to new medical staff physicians, resident physicians, locum physicians, mid-level providers, and medical students. Provides maintenance training and continuing education to staff “Super-Users” related to clinical application(s), processes, workflows and functionality. Provides education materials, at the elbow support, and training of EHR functionality and clinical workflows to support clinical educational needs and adoption. The Clinical Informaticist will have a thorough knowledge of clinical applications used within the organization and is recognized as an expert in training ability.

Committee Support: Leads or participates in interdisciplinary committee(s), with a focus on IT solutions for improving clinical processes such as OMT, Operational Change Management, etc., and communicates all follow-ups with identified stakeholders. Assists with process improvement activities and IT related patient safety opportunities to include operational requests for IT changes, RCA/FMEA for clinical related IT issues and TJC (The Joint Commission) readiness assistance.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current Alabama RN licensure is required. BSN is preferred.
• Minimum of three years RN clinical experience required.
• Previous participation and/or leadership in a hospital committee preferred.
• Strong understanding of clinical workflow processes and performance improvements to support nursing and physician practice.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed with excellent organization, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in using Meditech and/or previous experience in Clinical Informatics is preferred.
• Ability to work independently, and manage multiple projects with strong prioritizing skills.
• Evidence of commitment to enhance professional growth and development through participation in continued educational programs, current literature, meetings, and trainings.
• Strong Critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Microsoft Office – basic skills preferred (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Exhibits interpersonal skills and abilities to deal effectively with all levels of personnel.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Context

• Includes coordinating and leading others, demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

Physical Factors

• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• May require extended work hours and on-call coverage.
• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Able to do frequent stooping and, on occasion, crouching, crawling or kneeling. Ability to reach reasonable distance in any direction needed. Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner. Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Includes infrequent exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, and hazardous material. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.

• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Normal color vision for those tasks requiring color differentiation.