Operational Lead, Surgical

 Join Northeastern Ontario’s Health Care Leaders!

Health Sciences North is an organization dedicated to being patient and family focused, digitally enabled, and socially accountable, while supporting and developing our people and advancing our academic and research impact for Northeastern Ontario. We pride ourselves on being a learning hospital, providing professional development opportunities for our staff.

Health Sciences North (HSN) is seeking an innovative individual for the position of Operational Lead to provide operational leadership and oversight within the Surgical Program. This position will support the delivery of high quality, evidence-based, patient-focused, and fiscally responsible surgical services that are consistent with the corporate and program strategic direction. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree with a specialization within a health-related field (e.g. Medical Science), from an accredited university. A Master’s Degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, or equivalent, from an accredited university is preferred. A current Certificate of Registration in good standing or the ability to meet eligibility criteria as a Health Professional from an Ontario Professional Association or regulatory college is required.

We are looking for someone with a minimum of five (5) years’ working in a leadership/supervisory role or senior clinical position, preferably in a health care environment. Clinical experience working as a Regulated Health Professional, experience working with individual physicians and physician groups as well as training or recent experience with financial management and budget development are required. 

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

 As a regional referral centre, HSN’s Surgical Program serves more than 500,000 residents from all parts of North Eastern Ontario. It offers a comprehensive range of services spanning a wide continuum of care for surgical patients in the specialty areas of neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, oral/dental surgery, ear nose and throat (ENT), thoracic, cardiac surgery, vascular, plastic surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, bariatric and general surgery. The hospital has 17 operating room suites on its acute care site and performs over 16,000 surgeries annually.

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, team environment and are looking for a rewarding career opportunity, you are encouraged to view the full job description on the HSN Careers Website.

At HSN/HSNRI, we prioritize the physical and psychological wellness of all our staff through a variety of initiatives, aimed at creating a supportive and engaging workplace. Our Wellness Committee actively promotes health and well-being offering tips and resources to support wellness of our staff. We pride ourselves on recognizing our dedicated team members through Years of Service Celebrations and Excellence in Action Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements across the organization. We host Employee & Medical Staff appreciation events, and celebrations throughout the year, fostering a sense of community. Leadership development training is available to staff as well as an education fund, ensuring our people are our number one asset.

KEY FUNCTION:
Provide operational leadership and oversight within the Surgical Program. Support the delivery of high quality, evidence-based, patient-focused, and fiscally responsible surgical services that are consistent with the corporate and program strategic direction.

REPORTING:
Under the general direction of the Administrative Director, Surgical.

DUTIES:
1. Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of short and long-term plans, goals, and objectives for the Surgical Program that reflect the strategic direction and academic mission of HSN and respond to the needs of the organization and community.
2. Collaborate with the Administrative Director, Medical Director, and departmental Managers with input from the medical staff and interdisciplinary team to improve the program’s performance.
3. Build a high performance team that exhibits interdependence within the group, good morale, and collaboration to achieve group and organizational goals.
4. Develop annual operating plans which align with HSN's programs and directives, and ensure that the program stays within budget; advocate and secure resources for initiatives/process improvement.
5. Oversee the execution of priority projects within the Surgical Program related to HSN’s Strategic Plan and Ontario Health priorities.
6. Act as the operational lead for clinical audits, policy standardization, and process improvements that reduce variation and enhance outcomes across surgical services.
7. Support day to day operational pressures and provide timely support required for existing leaders to address issues (HHR issues, capital equipment replacements, emergency calls for critical events, etc.)
8. Initiate and lead change effectively within the program and provide support across the organization for change that aligns with HSN's strategic directions.
9. Promote professional practice compliance with professional, accreditation, ethical, and legal standards.
10. Work with various internal, external, and regional partners (e.g. North East Local Health Integrated Network (NELHIN), Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MoHLTC)) and the community, to influence the health care agenda as it relates to professional practice and improve access to surgical care.
11. Ensure that patient, family, and clinical staff education programs are coordinated in partnership within the organization and the community.
12. Research, identify, and oversee the implementation of best practice standards and innovative solutions to enhance patient care delivery.
13. Create an environment that promotes evidence-based practice and implement improvements/changes as required.
14. Establish systems to ensure that the program and staff provide expected and satisfactory outcomes as outlined by HSN, comparator data, and evidence-based practice.
15. Establish plans and processes for recruitment and develop succession plans for key positions within the program.
16. Ensure a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors; investigate, report, debrief and take or direct corrective action as appropriate on incidents.
17. Provide hospital wide, on-call coverage for problems and serious issues after hours and on weekends according to scheduled rotation.
18. Oversee the work of others in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), its regulations and HSN policies.
19. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
20. Participate in the accreditation process and work to ensure that the program and HSN achieve, maintain and continually improve upon their accredited status.
21. Teach, coach and lead staff in the development and monitoring of quality indicators and improvement initiatives.
22. Engage in and foster professional development of all staff and provide opportunities for learning within budgeted resources.
23. Ensure a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors; investigate report, debrief and take or direct corrective action as required on incidents.
24. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders/organizations/community groups to achieve program objectives, integrate and link services and foster partnerships across the continuum of service delivery.
25. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
26. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required.
27. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
1. Minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree with a specialization within a health-related field (e.g. Medical Science), from an accredited university.
2. Master’s Degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, or equivalent, from an accredited university is preferred.
3. Current Certificate of Registration in good standing or the ability to meet eligibility criteria as a Health Professional from an Ontario Professional Association or regulatory college is required.
4. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum of five (5) years’ working in a leadership/supervisory role or senior clinical position, preferably in a health care environment.
2. Clinical experience working as a Regulated Health Professional is required.
3. Experience working with individual physicians and physician groups is required.
4. Training or recent experience with financial management and budget development is required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrated ability to execute and lead strategic initiatives by using lean methodology.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of clinical workflow and change management implications.
3. Demonstrated strategic business sense with a broad knowledge of clinical areas.
4. Demonstrated superior critical thinking and program planning skills with the ability to use judgment in risk assessment.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of health care system, trends, and issues.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of Ministry direction to effectively lobby for programming and funding.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of interrelationships between hospital, clinical, and support programs.
8. Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
9. Demonstrated ability to coach, advise and teach others using the principles of adult learning.
10. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
11. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
12. Knowledge of relevant legislation and principles of management, hospital committee structure, conflict management and resolution, system needs analysis and organizational assessment.
13. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and employees.
14. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g., Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
15. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
16. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
1. Demonstrated ability to meet and interact with people in a professional, responsible, and reassuring manner.
2. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
3. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
4. Demonstrated positive work record and excellent attendance record.
5. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
6. Ability to travel between local sites.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.