Job Information
Houston Methodist Process Improvement Engineer - Performance Excellence in Houston, Texas
At Houston Methodist, the Process Improvement Engineer position is a central member of the Operations and Process Improvement team and plays a key role with strategy execution, continuous performance improvement efforts, and other transformational initiatives. This position serves as a role model by integrating customer service skills, leadership skills and communication skills when leading the work of interdisciplinary teams. The Process Improvement Engineer position will coordinate with hospital leadership, directors, managers, physicians, and staff according to business needs and priorities, focusing on hospital priorities and targets around finance, access, quality, efficiency and other operational metrics. This position will act as a change agent and facilitate process and performance improvement activities throughout the hospital and serve as an expert on measurement and analysis methods. The Process Improvement Engineer position will collaborate with the System Process Engineering team to develop and adopt best practices/processes. This position will also educate staff and leadership at the hospital on the basics of the Houston Methodist Business System via hands-on project engagement.
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides Houston Methodist Business System process improvement and tool training throughout the hospital. Organizes multi-disciplinary groups that work collaboratively to solve problems, improve processes, and integrate services with other departments. Develops effective communication methods to keep staff and others informed about improvement/(re)design activities of the hospital and department.
Coaches process owners, directors/managers, and staff in the use of the daily management system elements, accountability processes (huddles and performance reviews), Problem-solving and waste elimination, managing to standard work, and leader standard work.
Supports reporting requests and data management/analysis functions to maximize outcomes while complying with all physician privileges, patient confidentiality, and HIPAA constraints.
Acts as a model and coaches staff in effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication. Provides contributions towards improvement of employee engagement.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Coaches and mentors, team members and process owners to utilize a defined problem-solving process improvement methodology that analyzes and interprets data for decision-making. Develops staff by assisting them in identifying goals and process improvement opportunities and supports leadership and staff with implementing process changes.
Documents data sources and organizes and synthesizes results into audience-appropriate reports and presentations. Meets or exceeds all timelines for completion.
Assists with interdisciplinary team leadership/facilitation and change management within targeted service areas. Leads teams independently as assigned.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Supports the quality and accreditation efforts of the organization by establishing clinical standard work instructions during Kaizen/problem-solving-related activities. Works with accreditation and quality leaders to validate that all clinical procedures standard work instructions that guide and support patient care treatments and services are in alignment with quality and safety requirements.
Leverages best practices (internal & external) and projects across multiple departments.
Independently performs hospital and departmental workflow assessments/evaluations to identify improvement opportunities and determine data sets for evaluation/verification. Evaluates and provides input on the effectiveness of performance improvement initiatives and daily management activities.
Assists leadership in identifying key projects that will provide the optimum benefit in improving Houston Methodist processes and performance.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Captures cost benefits from each improvement activity. Collaborates with departments to monitor the use of resources. Participates in cost reduction efforts through analysis of data.
Develops reports of overall continuous improvement activities, including accomplishments, participation, projected activities, and anticipated needs.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides compelling communication to executives throughout the hospital and makes the business case for change related to Kaizen/Lean activities. Coaches and mentors executives and leadership to become good sponsors of change related to continuous improvement.
Identifies own learning needs, actively seeks opportunities for self-improvement through self-awareness and feedback and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates My Development plan (MDP) on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, process engineering, applied sciences, or related field OR in healthcare/business administration with Lean management or Six Sigma Green Belt certification
Master's degree in industrial engineering, process engineering, applied sciences or related field preferred
WORK EXPERIENCE
Five years of experience in quality engineering/process improvement or related field; may consider Houston Methodist employee with four years of experience in quality engineering/process improvement or related field
Three years of experience in a healthcare environment preferred
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Demonstrates ability to design and lead organizational transformation - a blend of change management, coaching, and lean methodology
Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills (e.g., relationship management, appreciative inquiry, team building, and oral/written communication)
Strong ability to problem solve within a team environment, and generate commitment and enthusiasm towards shared strategic initiative goals
Demonstrates the ability to lead teams through informal (versus positional) authority, and coach and develop others to ¿take the reins¿
Strong leadership skills, especially in leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, cross functional teams effectively, both in terms of leading change and achieving results
Demonstrates fundamental Lean skills (e.g., root cause problem solving, value stream mapping, A3 development) in order to understand challenges and identify process waste
Demonstrates ability to function at a high level of self-direction
Demonstrates effective change management skills
Independently identify clinical and business system requirements through process and workflow analysis
Utilizes technical skills necessary to analyze current processes and understand the hospital's business system and strategy
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
Uniform No
Scrubs No
Business professional Yes
Other (department approved) No
ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call* No
TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department
May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
Candidates who submit interest via a third-party quick apply process are not considered formal applicants until a complete application has been submitted on our career site. We will review your interest but recommend to apply at houstonmethodistcareers.org
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a Magnet-recognized, not-for-profit, faith-based hospital that serves the growing Northwest Houston community. With 358 licensed beds, Houston Methodist Willowbrook is committed to providing quality, cost-effective health care in a compassionate environment for a full range of services, including emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics and sports medicine, comprehensive women’s services, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, and primary and general medicine.
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.