Section Head, Health Information Processing

Position Summary
Interior Health is looking for an experienced Section Head, Health Information Processing to join our team on a full time permanent basis out of our Kelowna location.

What we offer:
- Employee & Family Assistance Program
- Employer paid training/education opportunities
- Employer paid vacation
- Medical Services Plan
- Employer paid insurance premiums
- Extended health & dental coverage
- Municipal Pension Plan
- Work-life balance

About the job:
In accordance with established vision and values of the organization, reporting to the Professional Practice Leader (PPL), this position is responsible for the direction, supervision, coordination, evaluation, planning and monitoring of the Health Information Processing section (‘the section’) in accordance with Interior Health HIMS goals and directions. Acts as an expert resource to staff and students working in the section; coordinates the training of students in the section.

Typical duties and responsibilities:
• Oversees the day-to-day operations and coordination of the section to ensure high efficiency and quality results within allocated resources by performing duties such as: supervising and providing related training/orientation to staff and students of the section; developing, monitoring and implementing policies and procedures for the section; scheduling and coordinating work assignments; determining related training and orientation requirements; preparing/administering performance evaluations for section staff; and interviewing and making recommendations to Professional Practice Leader for recruitment of staff.
• Monitors staffing levels and workload patterns and ensures adequate staffing levels are maintained in the section by preparing staff work schedules and rotations; approves vacation requests in accordance with collective agreements and departmental policies and procedures. Mentors staff and provides input into departmental and health service area succession planning.
• Acts as a technical/clinical resource to staff in the section by responding to queries, recommending/implementing best practices. Ensures that policies and procedures are followed and that established clinical standards are maintained.
• Provides budgetary input to the Professional Practice Leader; monitors and reports on operating expenditures and demonstrates fiscal accountability as it relates to the section; makes recommendations to the PPL related to capital equipment and service delivery; and investigates and justifies variances as directed.
• Ensures routine and formalized maintenance programs are carried out on all departmental equipment. Maintains and controls an inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Participates in safety programs at the site by following safety procedures and promoting safe work practices, reporting unsafe work practices and using safety equipment according to established policy and procedure.
• Provides direction for optimizing services for the section and ensures that the services comply with current legislation, professional standards and organizational policies.
• Provides recommendations, advice and council to clinical and medical leaders regarding section services.
• Compiles required organizational information including statistics and reports as directed.
• Develops and fosters effective relationships with colleagues and peers within Interior Health, and external agencies (including professional and licensing bodies) that positively influence professional practice.
• Provides input to the Professional Practice Leader on matters such as: departmental planning, monitoring and decision making to ensure an effective service is provided; coordinating appropriate departmental staffing levels; special projects (including but not limited to: redesign and standardization; development of performance measures, benchmarks and quality indicators, protocols and guidelines); developing, implementing and maintaining the Quality Management/Assurance programs; and preparing position descriptions for all staff classifications in the department.)
• In consultation with the key stakeholders, this position will lead the strategic and tactical planning for the section by developing goals, objectives, standards, policies and procedures.
• Maintains awareness of new approaches to care and service delivery in field of practice. Advocates changes in practice that have the potential to benefit patient care and service delivery.
• Represents Section/Department on internal and external committees or projects as required.
• Performs technical duties as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualfications
Honouring Interior Health’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

Education, Training and Experience:

Graduation from a recognized program for Health Information Practitioners plus three years recent related experience including one year in a supervisory capacity or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Certified by the Canadian College of Health Information Management as a certificant, and eligible for active membership with the Canadian Health Information Management Association.

Skills and Abilities:
Management: Demonstrated ability to organize work, set objectives and establish priorities. Manages time and resources, implements activities to promote cooperation among the interdisciplinary team, supervises responsibilities of others, and collaborates across disciplines.
Leadership: Promotes staff morale, engagement, and risk-taking. Demonstrates creative planning for change and innovations, implementation of IH policies or other protocols, and ongoing professional development of self and others.
Knowledge Integration: Integrates best practice and current research evidence to support professional practice decisions and actions.
Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with clients, families, the public, medical staff and the members of the interdisciplinary team using, oral written and computer communication means. Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve conflict.
Critical Thinking: Demonstrated ability to integrate and evaluate pertinent data (from multiple sources) to problem-solve and make decisions effectively. Applies the problem solving process demonstrating critical thinking and decision making skills using a systems approach.
Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and a commitment to excellence in the provision of client care.
Teaching: Ability to teach clients and others both one-on-one and in groups.
Equipment: Demonstrated computer skills including the use of Meditech and Windows based programs. Demonstrated data analysis skills including appropriate data analysis and reporting tools. Demonstrated ability in the use of e-mail and word processing. Ability to operate other related equipment as required in the specific practice area.
Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.