Lead Process Improvement Specialist

University of Rochester•Rochester, NY

2d•$97,400 - $146,000•Onsite

About The Position

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive. This role serves as an expert process improvement partner to University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) department leadership to improve operational effectiveness. The specialist applies expertise in evaluating systems, identifying problems, making recommendations, and ensuring successful project implementation. They utilize lean principles and improvement science methods, project management methodology, knowledge of healthcare business processes, management best practices, and change management techniques as appropriate to create sustainable operational improvements. The role involves conducting analytical assessments, coordinating resources and timelines, and managing project budgets. The Lead Process Improvement Specialist manages projects utilizing resources allocated based on strategic priorities of the URMC Senior Leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
5 years of relevant experience with at least 2 years at a managerial level required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certified Lean Practitioner or Expert

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Certified black belt in Lean Six Sigma or similar improvement science methodology preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as an expert process improvement partner to University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) department leadership to improve operational effectiveness.
Applies expertise in evaluating systems, identifying problems, making recommendations and ensuring successful project implementation.
Utilizes lean principles and improvement science methods, project management methodology, knowledge of healthcare business processes, management best practices and change management techniques as appropriate to create sustainable operational improvements.
Conducts analytical assessments, coordinates resources & timelines and manages project budgets.
Manages projects utilizing resources allocated based on strategic priorities of the URMC Senior Leadership.
Identifies the strategic alignment of the program with the organizational goals and determines the breakdown of projects to accomplish the overall program objectives.
Gathers input from leadership and works with program leadership to create program plan with governance structure, activities, dependencies, dates and timeframes, resources requirements, value proposition, milestones and deliverables.
Guides project teams in process analysis and data analysis to understand the process capability and quantify current operations and future opportunities, including value proposition and strategic alignment.
Manages medium to large programs, with support from Senior Director and Executive leadership.
Identifies the strategic alignment of projects required to deliver the full scope of the program requirements.
Coordinates the work of the project managers and project dependencies to enable successful delivery of the program.
Maintains and communicates the master program schedule, metrics, risk assessments, and ongoing status of the program.
Negotiates with management and/or project sponsor to obtain key resources or materials.
Oversees medium to large complexity projects independently.
Guides teams to define main objectives of programs, projects, its purpose and its scope.
Develops and executes project plan.
Monitors progress of a project.
Identifies issues and barriers and works to resolve.
Ensures projects are completed on time and meet established requirements.
Applies change management models and approaches to increase adoption and sustaining of change.
Effectively analyzes work processes and data.
Produces reports and data visualization.
Identifies issues, risks, and areas of improvement.
Estimates and measures the value of the process improvement work on multiple dimensions including improved quality, increase patient and staff satisfaction, and direct and indirect financial benefit.
Helps identify success metrics and helps determine if goals are achieved through regular monitoring of progress across assigned projects.
Coach individuals on completing Lean Certification projects.
Collaborates with the QI on assuring that all coaching needs for UPP/PEI teams are met.
Ensures individuals and teams understand Lean and DMAIC principles and can apply to projects.
Utilizes Lean and DMAIC tools and techniques.
Acts as a sounding board, answers questions and guides individuals in the next steps.
Ensures projects make progress.
Develop the organization's requirements with regard to knowledge, skills and abilities in the application of lean principles, improvement science principles, and change management approaches.
Collaborates with the QI educator on identifying educational content that is needed by faculty and staff, and participates in formal and informal training sessions, demonstrating and modelling process improvement expertise.
Other duties as assigned.