Director, Operations

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

University of Pittsburgh Physicians Department of Medicine is hiring a full-time Director, Operations to support its Division of Geriatrics. The Department of Medicine advances health and well-being through biomedical research, medical and biomedical science education, and leadership in academic medicine. The role offers collaboration with colleagues across UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh and an opportunity to develop a leadership career. The Director manages day-to-day operations and establishes priorities, goals, and objectives for the business unit (BU). The role provides operational leadership across clinical, administrative, financial, human resources, quality, patient access, facilities, purchasing, and business development functions. The Director works with physicians, clinical and administrative staff, and departmental leadership to improve performance, service, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency. Strong communication, critical thinking, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability, and judgment are important. Proficiency with data analytics and healthcare information systems, including Power BI, Qlik Sense, and EPIC, is highly desirable. The position develops and oversees operating and capital budgets, monitors financial and operating performance, supports revenue-cycle processes, and ensures professional fees are entered into EPIC within established timeframes. It manages BU staff functions, supports physician productivity and program development, oversees contracts, leases, purchasing, and facilities projects, and helps ensure compliance with UPMC policies and applicable regulatory and accrediting requirements. The Director also promotes service excellence, patient and staff satisfaction, quality improvement, continuity of care, and effective communication with patients and referring physicians.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field and 5 years of experience; or a qualifying alternative listed in the posting.
Qualifying alternatives include a bachelor's degree in a listed or related field, FMR Program graduate status, and 3 years of experience; a master's degree in a listed or related field and 3 years of experience; or a master's degree in a listed or related field, Fellowship Program graduate status, and 3 years of experience.
Act 34 clearance.
Exceptional communication, critical-thinking, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage and support diverse teams in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Strong problem-solving capabilities, adaptability, and sound judgment when addressing operational challenges and changing priorities.
Ability to collaborate with physicians, clinical and administrative staff, and departmental leadership.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with data analytics and healthcare information systems, including Power BI, Qlik Sense, and EPIC.
Advanced knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to physician business-unit management.
Knowledge of revenue cycle, physician billing, and contracts.

Responsibilities

Supervise coding and charge-entry staff where applicable; improve BU revenue processes and address insurance coverage and reimbursement issues.
Promote service excellence by understanding and consistently meeting the needs of internal and external customers.
Serve on assigned committees and provide leadership, oversight, and direction for special projects.
Implement, monitor, and evaluate quality initiatives; oversee patient access and satisfaction initiatives and facilitate improvements in patient satisfaction.
Support continuity of care by ensuring timely communication with patients and referring physicians.
Help managers and division chiefs develop and implement plans to improve service levels and exceed customer expectations.
Develop operating and capital budgets for the BU, help ensure budget goals are met, oversee BU budgets, and maintain financial records and reports used to monitor performance.
Manage the charge-lag process so BU professional fees are entered into EPIC within established timeframes; develop reimbursement strategies and disseminate reimbursement and coding updates while ensuring compliance.
Manage BU human resources functions, including recruitment, performance evaluations, and corrective action; mentor office managers and staff.
Support an accredited fellowship program as needed, including training-component compliance and liaison work with the GME department.
Create and implement business and program development plans aligned with BU and hospital strategic initiatives; assist faculty and coach staff in establishing and achieving program goals.
Oversee BU contracts and lease agreements and support clinical purchasing; coordinate with Facilities, Materials Management, and vendors to obtain cost-effective, high-quality products and supplies.
Consult with physicians on strategic business opportunities and outreach sites; support community practice openings, identify market and growth opportunities, and oversee outpatient office quality and efficiency.
Ensure BU compliance with UPMC policies and procedures and applicable regulatory and accrediting requirements, including JCAHO, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Medicaid requirements.
Work with Clinical, Administration, and Information Services staff to analyze processes and cost of care, identify opportunities to improve cost and quality, and recommend operational changes.
Coordinate EPIC activity and staff training, create reports including physician productivity reports, and conduct quarterly physician productivity meetings.
Help establish and implement BU policies concerning licensure, registration or certification, risk management, clinical operations and compliance, and staff and patient safety; identify staff education needs and support required education.
Manage day-to-day operations and establish criteria for organization-wide priorities and goals for selected initiatives.
Develop and maintain operational policies and procedures for departments and support areas.
Use internal and external replenishment systems and processes to affect product acquisition and assist with annual review of capital requests.
Maintain focus on quality initiatives and results through required performance-improvement projects.
Align goals and objectives for assigned areas and departments with the hospital's mission, vision, and values.
Oversee new construction, renovation projects, and building utilization; assist the VPO in assessing existing needs and planning programs and services for the BU.
Monitor operating statistics and patterns to identify trends and changes across the BU.
Promote a culture of patient and staff satisfaction, empowerment, problem-solving, and accountability.
Demonstrate courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude with patients, staff, medical staff, and visitors.