IT Clinical Applications Director

General Summary

Provides strategic vision and leadership for the development, implementation, and optimization of information technology application initiatives across the health system. Directs the planning and execution of enterprise clinical applications to support healthcare operations, improve cost-effectiveness, enhance service quality, and enable business growth. Oversees all aspects of the organization’s application portfolio, including building strong, collaborative relationships across the enterprise, overseeing third-party vendor partnerships, contract negotiations, and performance management. Ensures the safeguarding and protection of organizational and patient information in alignment with security, privacy, and regulatory standards.

Principal Job Functions

• *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.
• *Provides strategic leadership for the planning, development, implementation, and optimization of enterprise clinical application systems across the organization.
• *Directs and manages the application portfolio to ensure alignment with clinical operations, organizational objectives, and regulatory requirements.
• *Develops and implements long-term strategic plans for clinical applications to support operational efficiency, quality improvement, and business growth.
• *Establishes and enforces standards, policies, and procedures for the selection, implementation, and maintenance of application systems.
• *Leads the evaluation, selection, and deployment of new application systems and enhancements to existing systems.
• Oversees system integration efforts to ensure interoperability across clinical, operational, and business applications.
• *Oversees the departmental budgetary procedure to ensure proper operational and capital planning, appropriate and efficient use of resources, and consistent compliance to budgetary and fiscal controls.
• Prepares business cases, cost-benefit analyses, and project justifications for application-related initiatives and investments.
• *Directs vendor management activities, including contract negotiation, service level agreement oversight, and performance monitoring.
• *Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including requirements related to data privacy and information security.
• *Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks associated with application systems and technology investments.
• *Collaborates with clinical, operational, and executive stakeholders to identify and implement technology solutions that support organizational needs.
• Directs application support functions, including system maintenance, upgrades, and issue resolution processes.
• Establishes performance metrics and monitors system performance to ensure reliability, effectiveness, and user satisfaction.
• *Responsible for hiring, training, supervising, coaching, mentoring, retaining, and evaluating staff.
• Develops and maintains an organizational structure that supports current operations and future growth.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of trends in the field of expertise.
• Participates in and/or leads meetings, committees, strategic planning, and departmental projects as assigned.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*”.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of healthcare information systems, including clinical and business applications and their integration across the care continuum.
• Knowledge of clinical workflows and healthcare operations.
• Knowledge of information security principles and data privacy regulations, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Knowledge of application lifecycle management, including system implementation, optimization, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of organizational and human resource management standards and practices.
• Knowledge of performance improvement, budgetary, and financial methods and practices.
• Knowledge of management and leadership principles and practices.
• Skill in strategic planning and execution of information technology initiatives.
• Skill in vendor management, including contract negotiation and performance evaluation.
• Skill in project management, including prioritization, resource allocation, and timeline management.
• Skill in analyzing complex technical and operational issues and developing effective solutions.
• Skill in communication and building collaborative relationships with stakeholders across clinical, operational, and technical teams.
• Ability to perform crucial conversations with desired outcomes.
• Ability to make operational and management decisions in response to changing conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform crucial conversations with desired outcomes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel and medical staff.
• Ability to develop written policies and procedures, memoranda and performance evaluations with measurable behaviors.
• Ability to be a problem solver and engage independent critical thinking skills.
• Ability to navigate complex political situations and issues.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.
• Ability to adhere to hospital and department procedures.
• Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Education And Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Health Informatics, Clinical Discipline, or a related field required. Master’s degree in a relevant technical, clinical, or healthcare-related field preferred. Minimum of five (5) years of experience in technical services, systems programming, or clinical information systems, including direct exposure to healthcare or clinical workflows, and at least two (2) years of leadership experience required. Epic implementation experience strongly preferred. Prior experience supporting clinical applications and/or providing technical support within a hospital or healthcare environment preferred.

Other Credentials / Certifications

None

Physical Requirements

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) – Characterized as sedentary work requiring exertion up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.