System VP of Ambulatory Practice, Patient Access - Catholic Health

Catholic Health is one of Long Island’s finest health and human services agencies. Our health system has over 16,000 employees, six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health service, hospice and a network of physician practices across the island.

At Catholic Health, our primary focus is the way we treat and serve our communities. We work collaboratively to provide compassionate care and utilize evidence based practice to improve outcomes – to every patient, every time.

We are committed to caring for Long Island. Be a part of our team of healthcare heroes and discover why Catholic Health was named Long Island's Top Workplace!

The System VP of Ambulatory Practice, Patient Access is responsible for ensuring seamless access to the ambulatory practices across Catholic Health. 

This role involves establishing an ambulatory practice access strategy and aligning with the unified system-wide access strategy, managing patient access processes in the ambulatory practice environment, optimizing patient flow, and enhancing the overall patient experience. The executive will focus on reducing barriers to care, enhancing patient experiences, and optimizing resource utilization within the health system.

EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Capacity Management:

• Oversight of scheduling templates throughout ambulatory offices to optimize scheduling availability.
• Develop, recommend, and implement the philosophy, guiding principles, tactics and policies and procedures that achieve maximum capacity to support optimal access to care.
• Accountable for achieving significant and continuous improvement on access metrics across the System and on our CGCAHPS patient surveys.
• Develop, integrate, and oversee ongoing audits of template and scheduling practices to ensure consistency with our scheduling and referral policies.
• Focus on growing new patient volumes for key services and the success of new programs.
• Champion other innovative approaches to meeting patient care needs such as e-services, online scheduling, etc.

Call/Contact Center:

• Oversight of customer service of System Call/Contact Center.
• Work closely with Call/Contact Center team to ensure access goals and first call appointing is in alignment.
• Foster continuous improvement methods to develop innovative approaches to add valued convenience to the patient experience from the moment of first contact.
• Optimize referral management performance.

Strategic Planning:

• Develop and implement strategic plans to improve patient access to care within the ambulatory practice environment.
• Identify and address barriers to care within the health system.
• Set goals and metrics for access improvement initiatives.

Operational Management:

• Oversee the operations of patient access departments within the ambulatory practice environment, including scheduling, registration, insurance verification and discharge coordination processes.
• Ensure efficient workflows to minimize wait times and enhance patient satisfaction.
• Implement technology solutions to streamline access to care within the ambulatory practice environment.
• Coordinate with vendor for patient access systems and services supporting the ambulatory practices, ensuring cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Work closely with clinical, administrative, and support departments to ensure coordinated care.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between other departments of the health system to ensure efficient processes and compliance with regulatory agency requirements.

Patient Experience:

• Ensure a patient-centered approach in all access to care activities.
• Address and resolve patient complaints and feedback related to access issues. 
• Develop and enforce policies and procedures that ensure the privacy and security of patient information in compliance with HIPAA regulations

Financial and Resource Management:

• Develop and manage budgets for patient access initiatives.
• Optimize resource allocation to improve access and efficiency.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities for access improvement projects.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Collect and analyze data related to patient access metrics.
• Generate reports to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Use data-driven insights to inform decision-making and strategy development.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience managing a complex health system or Medical Group Access Department required.
• Possess comprehensive knowledge of Patient Access including governmental and commercial insurance requirements, managed care contractual requirements, patient eligibility, utilization management and revenue cycle requirements to ensure appropriate payment for services provided.
• Experience leading teams, improving patient access processes, and working with medical staff to enhance patient experience are crucial.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills, with proficiency in healthcare technology systems.
• Experience working in Epic preferred.
• Experience working on system wide transformation and change management projects to drive access improvements.
• Facilitates collaboration with staff in order to promote a high standard of patient care, cost effective delivery of services, and a team-oriented culture.

This range serves as a good faith estimate and actual pay will encompass a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience. The salary range or rate listed does not include any bonuses/incentive, or other forms of compensation that may be applicable to this job and it does not include the value of benefits.

At Catholic Health, we believe in a people-first approach. In addition to the estimated base pay provided, Catholic Health offers generous benefits packages, generous tuition assistance, a defined benefit pension plan, and a culture that supports professional and educational growth.