Perioperative Project Manager

Bronson Healthcare•Kalamazoo, MI

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Perioperative Project Manager is responsible for managing multiple projects by planning, executing, and finalizing projects according to timeline and budget. The Project Manager is responsible for the documentation and communication of progress of assigned projects. The Project Manager is responsible for issue tracking and escalation, risk identification and management, and process identification and improvement. Employees providing direct patient care must demonstrate competencies specific to the population served. This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. However, the role requires a high emotional IQ, leadership qualities, and a passion for supporting personal and professional development.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, Process or Program Management, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
5 years of successful progressive experience in the area of healthcare operations.
3 years of successful project management experience.
Working knowledge of healthcare operations in inpatient and/or ambulatory setting.
Current clinical licensing and board certification required, if applicable.
Project Manager Certification (e.g. PMP,ITIL, LEAN, Six Sigma) required or must complete certification within 18 months of hire.
Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Project Management software.
Demonstrated experience in the use of project management methodologies and tools, resource management practices, and project change management techniques.
Ability to create system documentation, project plans, test scripts, and education materials.
General familiarity of end user business practices, concepts and terminology sufficient to support the applications in a healthcare delivery environment.
Demonstrated experience in applying process improvement methodologies to projects.
Demonstrated financial analysis skills.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize assignments.
Demonstrated ability to move people to action without direct organizational control.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills are required.
Self-confidence in interpersonal relationships with administrators, physicians, colleagues and staff is necessary.
Demonstrated ability to write in a clear and concise manner is required.
Skill in developing and presenting formal presentations to groups.
Excellent customer service skills are necessary for initiation, recommendation, implementation, and follow-up of assigned projects.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree, preferred.
Experience with McKesson and Epic information system products preferred.
Experience leading projects within Perioperative Services and/or surgical services operations (OR, Pre-Op/PACU, Sterile Processing, Anesthesia).
Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Nursing, Informatics, or related field.
Lean/Six Sigma and/or change management training with demonstrated application to clinical operations (throughput, waste reduction, standard work).
Experience supporting clinical systems and perioperative workflows (e.g., Epic OpTime/Anesthesia, scheduling, documentation, preference cards).
Experience with perioperative quality, regulatory, and patient safety standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, AORN) as they relate to project work.
Demonstrated proficiency with project and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project or equivalent, Teams/SharePoint) and comfort working with clinical data and reporting.

Responsibilities

Manages multiple perioperative initiatives ranging from department-level improvements to enterprise implementations (e.g., OR, Pre-Op/PACU, Sterile Processing, Anesthesia, Cath Lab, Interventional Radiology).
Develops and maintains integrated project plans (scope, schedule, milestones, dependencies, resources, budget) aligned to perioperative operational priorities.
Facilitates and documents project meetings, including agendas, decisions, action items, and follow-up with clinical and operational stakeholders.
Provides routine status updates to Perioperative leadership, project sponsors, and impacted departments; communicates impacts to patient care, throughput, and quality.
Maintains issue logs; coordinates owners through resolution; escalates barriers appropriately to protect timelines, safety, and operational readiness.
Identifies, assesses, and mitigates project risks; develops contingency plans and escalates high-impact risks to sponsors and governance groups.
Contributes to standard project management practices (templates, governance, change control, lessons learned) to improve repeatability and outcomes across Perioperative Services.
Defines scope, requirements, success metrics, and deliverables; builds integrated schedules; coordinates perioperative readiness (training, workflow, staffing impacts) for go-lives and operational changes.
Uses data and structured analysis to identify root causes, surface constraints, and implement practical solutions; maintains risk/issue logs and drives timely decision-making and escalation.
Coordinates multidisciplinary teams (nursing, anesthesia, surgeons, sterile processing, IT, supply chain); manages dependencies and change control; ensures clear communication of decisions, impacts, and next steps.
Builds effective relationships with perioperative physicians, clinical leaders, and frontline staff; establishes credibility through presence, responsiveness, and follow-through.
Practices active listening and demonstrates respect for clinical perspectives, competing priorities, and the realities of patient care.
Influences without direct authority by aligning stakeholders to shared goals, clarifying roles, and holding teams accountable to commitments.
Communicates clearly and consistently with sponsors and teams regarding scope, risks, decisions, and timelines; escalates appropriately to maintain alignment.
Promotes team effectiveness by ensuring role clarity, supporting knowledge transfer, and coordinating training/cross-training needed for perioperative operational readiness.
Maintains composure in high-acuity, time-sensitive environments; responds professionally during escalations, delays, and competing clinical priorities.
Models a calm, solutions-oriented approach and helps create psychological safety for teams to raise concerns and identify risks early.
Demonstrates integrity and sound judgment; communicates candidly and constructively while maintaining professionalism in clinically complex situations.
Maintains confidentiality and complies with HIPAA and organizational privacy/security standards when handling patient, staff, and operational information.
Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement by seeking feedback, strengthening project management competencies, and adapting approaches to meet the needs of perioperative operations.
Develops and executes an individualized professional development plan that may include project management and perioperative education (e.g., PMI, Lean/Six Sigma, AORN education offerings), workshops, seminars, and internal leadership development programs.