Senior Process Improvement Engineer

At Houston Methodist, the Senior 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, utilizing strategy execution to translate the strategic plan, top level improvement priorities and vision into specific goals and action plans, linking lean initiatives to business KPIs. In addition to performing the duties of the Process Improvement Engineer, this Sr position serves as a coach to local process improvement engineers, hospital unit management and departmental process coaches on A3 problem solving, potential kaizen events, value stream mapping, strategy deployment, and daily management. The Senior Process Improvement Engineer position will coordinate with hospital leadership, directors, managers, physicians, and staff according to business needs and priorities, focusing on high-priority hospital initiatives and targets around finance, access, quality, efficiency and other operational metrics. This position will act as a change agent, transforming leadership behaviors, facilitating process and performance improvement activities throughout the hospital, and serve as an expert on measurement and analysis methods. The Senior Process Improvement Engineer position will collaborate with the System Process Engineering team to develop and adopt best practices / processes. This position develops, provides, and conducts hospital-wide training related to the Houston Methodist Business System and collaborates with the System Process Engineering team to develop and adopt best practices / processes and trainings.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provides Houston Methodist Business System process improvement and tool training throughout the hospital. Organizes multidisciplinary 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 the hospital and department's improvement / (re)design activities.

Coaches hospital leadership, process owners, directors / managers, and staff in the use of all Houston Methodist Business System elements and leader standard work. Acts as a coach to local process improvement engineers, hospital unit management and departmental process coaches on A3 problem solving, potential kaizen events, value stream mapping, strategy deployment, and daily management.

Models for staff, at all times, effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication. Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Develops, provides, and conducts hospital-wide training related to the Houston Methodist Business System and collaborates with the System Process Engineering team to develop and adopt best practices / processes and trainings. Instills a problem-solving and continuous improvement culture across the hospital consistent with our shared governance principles and the constant pursuit of high process reliability.

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.

Leads teams independently as assigned. Assists with interdisciplinary team leadership / facilitation and change management within targeted service areas.

QUALITY / SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Establishes 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.

Supports reporting requests and data management / analysis functions to maximize outcomes while complying with all physician privileges, patient confidentiality, and HIPAA constraints.

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.

Represents operations / process engineering at various local and system committees to provide updates on improvements and Houston Methodist Business System activities. Assists local internal communications to provide compelling communication to employees regarding improvements and performance.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Drives efficiencies and quality improvements, recognizing current and future resource limitations and needs. Identifies strategies and opportunities for financial efficiency and improvement of operations. Participates in cost reduction efforts through analysis of data.

Documents data sources and organizes and synthesizes results into audience-appropriate reports and presentations. Meets or exceeds all timelines for completion.

GROWTH / INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Utilizes strategy execution to translate the strategic plan, top level improvement priorities and vision into specific goals and action plans, linking lean initiatives to business KPIs. Provides compelling communication to executives throughout the hospital and makes the business case for change related to Kaizen / Lean activities.

Provides recommendations and support to develop thorough action plans related to hospital top-level improvement priorities.

Utilizes technical skills necessary to analyze current processes and understand the hospital's business system and strategy. Independently identify clinical and business system requirements through process and workflow analysis.

Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs through self-awareness and feedback and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the My Development Plan 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 plus Lean management or Six Sigma Green Belt certification

Master's degree in industrial engineering, process engineering, applied sciences or related field preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

Seven years of experience in quality engineering / process improvement or related field; may consider Houston Methodist employee with six years of experience in quality engineering / process improvement or related field

Three years of experience in a healthcare environment preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N / A

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

Possesses effective change management skills and demonstrate the ability to motivate multi-disciplinary, cross-functional teams effectively in leading change and achieving results

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

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

Uniform No

Scrubs No

Business professional Yes

Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL

TRAVEL

Travel specifications may vary by department

May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No

May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile :

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in June 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 267-bed, 725,000-square-foot, full-service, acute-care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also, on the beautiful hospital campus, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas State Highway 242, are two medical office buildings, which include a Breast Care Center; Cancer Center; infusion center; heart and vascular services; neurology; orthopedics and sports medicine; rehabilitation services; wellness services; an outpatient laboratory; and several other multispecialty physician practices. In January 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened Healing Tower - a $250 million expansion project that added 106 beds, focused on medical-surgical and women's services, and provided nine operating rooms. The project also included the expansion of the endoscopy center, emergency department and diagnostic imaging department with an enhanced neurodiagnostic and interventional center.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.