Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation

PO Box 559  •  85 West Highway 22  §  Santo Domingo, NM 87052  §  (505) 465-3060 P  §  (505) 465-1191 F

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Department:                     Administration

Reports to:                        Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

FLSA Status:                    Exempt

Type of Position:              Full-Time

Revised Date:                    12/20/2022

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT:

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purposes of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The MISSION of KPHC is:  “ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE” and the VISION OF KPHC is:  “HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE”. 

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Chief Operation’s Officer (COO) is responsible for the efficient daily management and coordination of the overall operation of the Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) and Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC).   The COO ensures the effective delivery of services that are designed to meet the corporate and administrative needs of patients, the public, and staff. The COO works collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to provide the highest quality, cost efficient, and integrated clinical care within KPHC and SDHC. Reporting to the COO will be the Director of QA/QI, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Director of Health Information Management Systems, Human Resources Director, Director of Information Technology, and the Transportation Supervisor to ensure operating efficiency. 

PERFOMANCE EXPECTATIONS: 

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kewa Pueblo Health Center are expected to conform to the following: 

• Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. 
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors. 
• Possess and maintain an environment of cultural awareness and sensitivity enabling the facility to fulfill its mission by meeting or exceeding its goals. 
• Take responsibility for all day-to-day operations of the facility and health services provided to the patients.
• Maintain a current insurable driver’s license. 
• Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well 
• Consistently maintains professional and ethical standards adhering to all KPHC Policies, Compliance Standards and HIPAA. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Responsible to the CEO for the effective strategic leadership of the operational functions of Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) and Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC).
• Reporting to the CEO, the COO holds day-to-day operating responsibility for the effective and efficient operation of the organization.
• Monitors and reports on monthly performance against the budget; provides regular statistical data concerning operational activities.
• Provides leadership and guidance in the development, implementation, and on-going monitoring of departmental priorities, plans, goals and objectives of KPHC.
• Appraises and evaluates the results of overall operations regularly and systematically and reports these results to the CEO.
• Assists in developing and supporting KPHC’s both short and long-range program planning, constantly looking ahead to the future and planning for the activities of the organization to meet the adminstrative needs of the organization.
• Ensures that corporate and administrative policies, procedures, and practices are in accordance with current and evolving regulations, legal requirements, and industry trends.
• Manages non-professional staff in a supportive and professional manner providing guidance, constructive input, and positive feedback.
• Analyzes the current information technology infrastrucure and scopes out the next level of information technology and financial systems that support the growth of specific programs and the organization overall.
• Develops, implements, and monitors operating budgets for areas of responsibility.
• Leads efforts to provide high-quality, low-cost day-to-day adminstrative operations.
• Ensures that performance is aligned with KPHC’s practices and standards of excellence and determines interventions necessary to improve performance.

Assumes responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective communication and coordination with KPHC personnel, departments and management.

• Advises senior management and/or KPHC Health Board regarding adminstrative and corporate compliance.
• Ensures the timely completion of reports, records, and other documentation while ensuring all documentation is accurately represented.
• Ensures that all employees are well informed of administrative and corporate policies, procedures, and regulations.  Facilitates consistency at all levels of corporate operations.
• Attends and participates in meetings and committees as appropriate.
• Ensures that KPHC’s professional reputation is maintained.  Ensures appropriate levels of confidentiality regarding KPHC and Santo Domingo Health Center.

Assumes responsibility for related duties as required or assigned.

• Stays informed of trends and changes with respect to corporate compliance and quality initiatives and regulations.
• Incumbent may be required to work day, evening or holiday shifts.

• Performs other duties as assigned.  

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Experience:   

Mandatory Knowledge Skills, Abilities and Other Qualifications:

• Understanding of governmental regulations and administrative compliance requirements.
• A highly effective communicator who will make communications a top priority within the organization and will be a responsive, relational, interactive, and accountable leader who will recognize the importance of building consensus and providing leadership with credibility, influence, respect, and listening skills.
• An appreciation of the challenges and the opportunities associated with being a change agent within the context of a growing healthcare organization.
• Proficient knowledge and expertise in hospital and/or ambulatory health care related quality and performance improvement principles and practices, as well as regulatory and statutory requirements for quality improvement and patient safety in health care.
• The ability to create inclusive teams and that are active and enthusiastic participates and in the successful implementation quality and safety strategies and plans based on improving quality goals.
• Possess not only excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills, but the ability to persuasively communicate project proposals, plans and status to key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
• Approaches problems and decisions methodically and objectively; involves others as needed; uses sound judgment in making decisions and understanding the impact to themselves, patients, their team, and the organization.
• Conducts the appropriate analysis to identify the symptoms and root cause of issues; makes timely decisions.
• Proficient in program development with strong leadership and teambuilding skills.
• Solid analytical and technical skills and problem-solving and critical thinking to analyze problems and develop solutions.

• A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experience working with Indian Health Services (IHS), a Tribe or Tribal Organization.
• Ten (10) or more years of healthcare experience in hospital and/or ambulatory care facilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, vendors and staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.  

OTHER:

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

Disclaimer:  The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position.  It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.

Applicants will be considered on the basis of whether they meet the minimum mandatory qualifications identified on the position description for the position applied for, including requisite experience, relevant education and possession of required licenses and certifications.   Among applicants who meet all minimum mandatory qualification for a position, preference will, to the maximum extent feasible, be granted to qualified Native American applicants.