Practice Transformation Spec

Basic Function

The Practice Transformation Specialist (PTS) is responsible for encouraging physicians and physician practices to explore the benefits, challenges, and opportunities in improving health outcomes and patient experiences while containing healthcare costs. Success as a PTS requires the ability to maximize care teams, provide comprehensive care management and coordination, manage population health, and efficiently use health information technology (HIT) to support patient-centered care delivery.

In order to address these challenges, there are a range of services to support providers, administrators, and staff in increasing the knowledge and skills to provide high-value, patient-centered care. The PTS may utilize:

Quality improvement methodology, including workflow assessment and workflow redesign

Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) implementation

PCMH recognition process

Electronic health record (EHR) implementation and optimization

Data abstraction skills with multiple Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Patient-centered communication skills, including Motivational Interviewing and Behavioral Activation

Teamwork and team-based care

ICD-10 implementation

The PTS utilizes a variety of information technology tools/appliances within their practices to improve workflow and implementation for quality improvement. Acts as a consultant to such practices to assist in restructuring clinical and business workflows to optimize the implementation of HIT in these offices. Coordinates task-related efforts by creating, joining and/or leading supporting partnerships and facilitating ongoing discussions and initiatives with the appropriate stakeholders in the state and elsewhere who are working on comparable HIT restructuring and/or improvement efforts.

Includes the coordination and sharing of information and resources (data, communications, and marketing), avoiding duplication of efforts and resources, minimizing inconsistencies, reducing burden on the participants, and developing and deploying strategies that are cost effective and improve HIT utilization and efficiencies, cultural competencies and other related measures. Requires working knowledge of EHR, Clinical Decision Support, PCMH, ICD10 and EHR reporting modules for quality improvement.

Requires excellent troubleshooting and decision-making skills, self motivation and the use of sound judgment and discretion.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to the Assistant Project Director with dotted line to Practice Transformation Leads

Role and Responsibilities

Task-related requirements/efforts, including tasks, timing, resources and initiatives required to efficiently and effectively meet and/or exceed the contract deliverable requirements and ensure ongoing incremental funding.

Target and recruit practices from local market areas to promote program growth and development of local community capacity to function in Accountable Care Organizations, PCMH, or other integrated models of care delivery.

Actively involved with and promotes the convening of the appropriate HIT vendors and local stakeholder organizations that seek to use electronic clinical information and healthcare information exchanges necessary for improving clinical performance. Leads the collaboration efforts and works closely with vendors and organizations to:

Conduct environmental scan to assess physician practices’ current electronic clinical information and health records status (use or lack of, performance results, interests, needs, readiness to implement, etc.). Provides technical assistance to physician practice sites to explore and adopt HIT systems;

Provide information on products, functionality, value, and costs of electronic clinical information systems to physician practices;

Promote production and use of electronic clinical information;

Provide the appropriate assistance for physician practice sites with an existing EHR system to achieve meaningful-use;

Promote electronic clinical information sharing in accordance with HIPAA standards (including the Privacy and Security Rules) and QIN-QIO confidentiality requirements, as applicable.

Serves as project coordinator for implementation projects and is concerned by recruiting and assisting physicians and physician practices with the implementation of HIT systems in their office practices. Assists the office staff and physician with workflow and technology assessments to effectively identify HIT needs and options.

Establishes, undertakes, measures and reports on initial and on-going environmental scan(s), benchmarks, requests for assistance from physicians or physician practice sites, manages initial and ongoing reporting of all participants and implementation efforts and other related information and cost efficiencies as required.

Works with physician practice sites on assessing, measuring and improving clinical performance results for both HIT initiatives and cultural competency as required.

Works with the Communications Team and other staff to promote improved healthcare through use and reporting of clinical quality measures.

Maintains current knowledge of technological developments in the field. Participates in training and testing as required under the terms and conditions of the contract.

Collects, maintains, manages, utilizes and reports task-related data as necessary. Practices good work habits that ensure compliance in all interactions at all levels with all applicable local, state, and federal confidentiality policies and procedures protecting health care information.

Works with practice sites on practice transformation, Medical Home, and implementing ICD10.

May also manage or conduct other quality improvement projects and actively participate in other projects and activities as required.

Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Skills / Professional Competencies Required

General knowledge of HIT standards (HL7, CHI, or SNOMED), EHRs and physician office practices.

Experiential knowledge and understanding of installing, configuring and administering various software applications and hardware products with the proven ability to work in and foster a productive team-oriented environment.

Excellent communication skills, oral and written, and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships within the organization and with a diverse socio-economic audience of appropriate resources and stakeholders throughout the state and within the QIN-QIO and to respond to all stakeholder and participant inquiries and needs professionally and appropriately.

Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to develop and manage complex projects budgets, resources and related materials, ability to manage competing priorities, tasks and responsibilities to provide effective support for the workflow management for multiple project management efforts and contract compliance requirements.

Flexible with excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills and the ability to perform effectively in fast paced, multi-tasking environment, including the ability to prioritize work and resources to meet multiple competing deadlines, utilize resources effectively, identify problems, and propose sound solutions/alternatives. Must be able to implement, and manage effective solutions as required.

Computer proficiency, which includes knowledge of all Microsoft Office products, project management tools, calendar management, contact management, querying and generating reports, fast and accurate data entry with the ability to collect and maintain routine and/or complex records (paper and electronic) and prepare reports from these records.

Knowledge of office procedures and methods with the ability to operate the common types of office equipment incidental to the job including but not limited to computers, laptops, projectors, copiers, fax machines, audio visual equipment, and teleconference equipment.

Strong presentation skills, particularly with physicians and office staff with the ability to function effectively in a public relations role and demonstrate a commitment to exemplary customer service with customer-centric perspective.

Ability to quickly learn the QIN-QIO process and culture as well as those of a wide variety of practices and vendors.

Knowledge of federal and state statues, regulations, and program standards in relation to assigned contracts.

Experience with PCMH, ICD10, Medical Home, and transitions of care.

Ability to travel as required for conferences, training, etc.

Minimum Education/Training Required

A bachelor’s degree in MIS, computer science, engineering, or a healthcare discipline from an accredited four-year college or university. Relevant master’s degree or clinical (RN, LPN) degree preferred.

Minimum Experience Required

A minimum of five years’ experience in medical information systems, medical office workflow, HIT project management or related consulting experience. Actual experience implementing software in small primary care practices a plus.

Substitution(s)

Four years of relevant experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree.

Licensure/Certification Requirements

N/A

Security Level

Low

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

The physical demands marked below are representative of those that will be required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirement

Lifting (lbs.)

If yes, Specify Range

Up to 25 pounds

Carrying (lbs.)

If yes, Specify Range

Up to 25 pounds

Yes

Stooping, Bending

Yes

Kneeling, Squatting

Yes

Walking

Yes

Standing

Yes

Sitting

Yes

Climbing, Balancing (e.g., climbing and working from ladder)

No

Use of Hands to Finger, Handle, or Feel

Yes

Physical Coordination (sequential or simultaneous use of hands, arms, feet, and legs)

Yes

Eye-Hand Coordination

No

Close Vision (clear vision at 20" or less)

Yes

Distance Vision (clear vision at 20' or more)

No

Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)

No

Depth Perception (ability to judge distance spatial relationships)

No

Hearing in person

Yes

Hearing on telephone

Yes

Speaking in person

Yes

Speaking on telephone

Yes

The environmental conditions marked below are common to this job:

Condition

Yes/No

Outdoor Weather Conditions

No

Wet, Humid Conditions (non-weather)

No

Work Near Moving Mechanical Parts

No

Work in High, Precarious Places

No

Fumes or Dust

No

Toxic or Caustic Chemicals

No

Extreme Heat (non-weather over 90 deg. F.)

No

Low Noise (e.g. business office)

Yes

Moderate Noise (e.g., light motorized equipment such as lawn mowers)

No

Loud Noise (e.g., jackhammer, heavy motorized equipment)

No