Chief Information Office RHTT - Information Systems

Baxter Health•Mountain Home, AR

About The Position

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides strategic and operational leadership for Baxter Health’s information technology, data, and digital infrastructure. The CIO partners with clinical, financial, and administrative leaders to ensure technology strengthens patient care, protects patient information, and supports the health system’s mission of remaining independent, strategically comprehensive, and community-focused. The role leads teams responsible for enterprise applications, networks and infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, clinical informatics, and IT support across hospitals, an ambulatory surgery center, home health, hospice, clinics, and remote rural sites. The CIO is accountable for achieving objectives consistent with the health system’s strategic plan and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The CIO develops and leads technology strategy; advises senior leaders and the Board; oversees system integration, clinical and enterprise applications, AI, telecommunications, cybersecurity, infrastructure, data and analytics, budgets, vendors, and IT personnel. The role also supports Rural Health Transformation Program initiatives and related deliverables, reporting, and timekeeping requirements. This position reports to the VP, Chief Financial Officer. The position is based in a healthcare environment supporting hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, and community outreach programs. Occasional travel between facilities may be required. The usual schedule is five days per week, Monday through Friday, and may exceed 40 hours per week. The role requires after-hours, weekend, and inclement-weather responses for emergent situations. Physical demands include daily computer and keyboard use for eight or more hours, regular standing and walking, occasional bending, squatting, twisting, and lifting up to 20 pounds, as well as effective communication and the ability to handle critical and stressful situations with composure.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, healthcare administration, or a related field.
At least 8 to 10 years of progressive IT leadership experience, including at least 5 years in a senior IT leadership role within a hospital or health system.
Demonstrated experience with EHR platforms, healthcare interoperability standards, artificial intelligence, and HIPAA compliance.
Experience with telehealth expansion and rural broadband or connectivity initiatives.
Strong track record in cybersecurity strategy and incident response.
Ability to lead through change and manage complex, multi-site technology environments.
Detail-oriented, organized, and conscientious approach to ensuring high-quality work.
Excellent time-management and follow-up skills to meet deadlines.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality regarding HIPAA and organizational operations.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, solve problems, and make decisions.
Ability to spend eight or more hours daily using a computer, monitor, keyboard, or mouse; regularly stand and walk; occasionally bend, squat, twist, and lift up to 20 pounds; and handle critical, highly stressful situations efficiently and calmly.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as an MBA, MHA, or MIS.
Experience leading IT in a rural or critical access health system or a multi-site healthcare organization.
Certified Healthcare Chief Information Officer (CHCIO) certification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a multi-year IT strategy aligned with Baxter Health’s strategic plan, clinical priorities, and financial goals.
Advise the CEO, CFO, and Board of Directors on technology opportunities, risks, and investments; report to senior leadership and the Board on performance, risk, and progress.
Lead IT governance, including project prioritization, steering committees, and technology policies.
Collaborate with clinical, operational, financial, and legal leaders to align technology with patient care and community needs.
Lead integrated technology platforms and enterprise architecture across Baxter Health entities; standardize systems, processes, and support, including for rural and frontier communities.
Lead technology due diligence and integration for affiliations, acquisitions, joint ventures, and new service lines; support employed and affiliated practices with shared EHR access and connectivity.
Provide technology for population health, value-based contracts, and clinically integrated network or accountable care partnerships.
Lead the IT project management office and deliver major initiatives on time and on budget; build technology partnerships with regional providers, academic centers, and public health agencies.
Oversee the EHR, enterprise applications, telehealth platforms, and clinical, revenue cycle, ERP, HR, and supply chain systems.
Work with the Chief Medical Information Officer and Chief Nursing Information Officer to improve workflows, reduce documentation burden, and support safe, efficient care.
Advance interoperability and support patient-facing tools such as portals, online scheduling, and digital front door services; ensure compliance with interoperability and information-blocking requirements.
Set the organization’s AI strategy and roadmap; establish AI governance and policies for approval, validation, bias review, and ongoing monitoring; evaluate and implement AI solutions, measure results, build AI literacy, and monitor regulatory and industry developments.
Lead voice, data, and wireless communications, including phone systems, unified communications, contact centers, nurse call integration, paging, and secure clinical messaging.
Ensure reliable wired and wireless networks, telehealth and remote patient monitoring infrastructure, rural connectivity, carrier contracts, redundancy, and failover plans; coordinate emergency communications and pursue rural broadband programs and partnerships.
Direct cybersecurity strategy and data governance; protect patient information and critical systems; lead incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning; ensure regulatory compliance and manage third-party and vendor security risk.
Oversee data centers, cloud services, servers, storage, end-user devices, and the service desk; maintain system availability and support, and plan technology lifecycle replacement.
Lead data governance, data quality, and the enterprise data and analytics platform; deliver reporting for quality, safety, population health, value-based care, and financial performance.
Develop and manage IT operating and capital budgets and negotiate and manage vendor contracts and service agreements.
Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing information systems team; build a service-minded culture, set goals and growth paths, and plan for succession and workforce needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Perform tasks in the approved RHTP initiative workplan; support deliverables, data, and reporting as directed; record and certify time worked to the appropriate RHTP code and record split effort when applicable.
Do not charge hospital operations, clinical backfill, or other non-RHTP work to RHTP; route public materials about the project through the Baxter Health RHTP grants office and seek supervisor guidance when needed.