CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule: 9AM-5PM (Monday-Friday)
• Building: Neurological Institute
• Salary Range: $155,000-$180,000

Position Summary

Directs the day to day clinical and practice operations for the Department of Neurological Surgery. Provides oversight, leadership and mentorship to Practice Managers, APPs, and administrative staff within assigned areas of responsibility. The Director of Practice Operations is responsible for cross divisional programming, acquisitions, contract management and coding. Manages the overall operational, responsibilities and activities. Plans and allocates resources to effectively staff the divisions and meet productivity and quality goals. Plans, evaluates, and improves the efficiency of processes and procedures to enhance speed, quality, and efficiency to enhance and maximize the patient care experience. Formulates business decisions that are financially responsible, accountable, justifiable, and defensible in accordance with University policies and procedures. Establishes and maintains relevant controls and feedback systems to monitor the operation of all divisions. Reviews performance data that includes quality, patient satisfaction, engagement, and financial reports. Monitors and measures productivity, goal achievement, and overall effectiveness. Participates in the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to carry out the practice operation of the Department of Neurological Surgery. Builds bridges for multiple workflows connecting front and back end processes by participating in EPIC Physician Billing initiatives. Prepares periodic reports for the Department of Neurological Surgery Leadership to track goals accomplishments to ensure they meet Department and Faculty Practice Organization (FPO) objectives.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing all aspects of the Department of Neurosurgery Practice Operations including front, middle, and back end aspects, ensuring an exceptional patient experience. Maximizes quality and efficiency in workflow through continuous process improvement.
• Provides effective direction, guidance, training, ongoing education, and supervision of all nurse practitioners, nurses and CMAs, assuring the maximum quality of care, patient satisfaction, efficient practice, effective teamwork, and adherence to procedures and standards.
• Directs, manages, plans, and supervises the work of the Practice Manager; this includes but is not limited to organizing, implementing and directing administrative and clinical practice functions.
• Manages and develops career objectives for Practice Management Team. Oversees and manages employees, providing leadership and direction that allows the practice staff to deliver significant value to the Department.
• Establishes and promotes effective communications and strong professional working relationships with all faculty and staff; as well as with relevant outside organizations.
• Reviews, writes and edits policies and procedures for the practice. Develops and oversees implementation and administration of internal practice policies and procedures in conjunction with FPO policies and procedures. Interprets applicable laws, rules and regulations, and ensure the practice is in compliance with them. includes COVID related adaptive processes involving patient office visits, surgical scheduling and medical clearance and staff attendance.
• Leads and actively participates in the program and patient outreach initiatives, in strong collaboration with medical and surgical physician directors, and administration.
• Maintains and develops new workflows to meet ColumbiaDoctors metrics including Press Ganey and other Patient Access goals.
• Superuser and content expert in EPIC. Responsible for overseeing all EPIC activity within the practice, and partnering with the
• Oversees Director of Billing Operations to ensure that all issues are properly reconciled. This includes issues such as all outstanding EPIC encounters are completed in a timely manner.
• Management of EPIC Department Front End and Charge Review Workqueues. Ensures timely follow up of accounts and analyze the edits that drive each workqueue. Follow up with EPIC analysts for any updates and additions and/or errors.
• Responsible for maintaining comprehensive catalog of all EPIC issues and follow up with Epic leadership. Includes Physician Billing, Front End and Clinical Workflow issues, updates and optimization.
• Participates in Epic lead meetings for ColumbiaDoctors metrics for Physician Billing (PB) Front End Registration, Authorization Denials and other revenue related workflows including coordination with Hospital Billing (HB) PCM/FCC staff. Collaborates on EPIC upgrade initiatives, utilization, and enhancements.
• Department lead in EPIC Education/Training and roll out of new initiatives such as Patient Letter Estimates workflow and Referral WQs cleanup project.
• Works closely with Compliance to ensure Neurosurgery providers maintain compliant documentation and EPIC Inbasket folder management of clinical tasks.
• Identifies practice/business development opportunities to increase the practices' market share.
• Collaborates with pre-authorization team in the Department to ensure maximum support of authorized procedures and reduce denials.
• Oversees contract negotiations for capital purchases related to Practice. Reviews and helps negotiate major contracts. Oversees RFP process related to contracts. Develop and maintain contract database. Review all long-term contracts.
• Reviews and approves any changes to standard lease agreements. Maintains standard form of property management agreement and agreed-upon forma on behalf of the Department Leadership.
• Participates, implements, and manages annual practice(s) budget; forecasts revenue/expenditures versus budget and make appropriate recommendations.
• Works with Finance team to Develop cost/benefit analysis of new patient care services and equipment to maximize patient revenues, and recommend implementation/purchase of new services/equipment.
• Responsible for overseeing consignments, supply chain management, inventory of all supplies (medical, equipment, office).
• Participates in monthly finance Meetings with physicians to review financial performance and key practice indicators.
• Recommends and oversees capital renovations for the Practice.
• Responsible for ensuring that all offsite practice operations ensure adherence to the FPO policies and procedures.
• Monitors purchases for each practice and communicate the strategy with the Division Chiefs and Department Leadership to ensure the most cost-effective vendors and products are being utilized.
• Develops and implements new procedures to improve the quality and quantity of work processed. Ensure policies are communicated and administered consistently.
• Develops and oversees business systems and works with information technology to ensure timely and accurate implementation.
• Supervises, trains, orients and evaluates performance over assigned personnel. Recommends merit increases, promotions, and disciplinary actions.
• Monitors daily operating activity of department and makes necessary adjustments in work assignments.
• Initiates and answers pertinent correspondence. Maintains required records and files.
• Attends administrative meetings and participates in committees as requested. Conducts special projects and studies as directed.
• Participates in professional development activities and maintains professional affiliations.
• Maintains confidentiality in regard to patients accounts status.
• Assists with the groundwork, troubleshooting, facilities management within the practice itself.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Nurse Practitioners: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse is either Master's or Doctorate prepared as Family Nurse Practitioner, as well as board certified with ANCC; plus 5 years nursing or related experience.
• Must have a valid license as a Registered Nurse and as a Nurse Practitioner and be eligible to be license in NJ and CT.
• Or - Physician Assistants: Physician Assistant applicants must have a degree from an accredited, AMA CAHEA approved Physician Assistant Program, as well as be board certified.
• The Physician Assistant must have a current New York State Physician Assistant License and be eligible to license in NJ and CT.
• Minimum of 10 years of management experience, minimum of two years as a department manager in practice operations or information systems.

Other Requirements

• Nursing: RN License and FNP License in NYS; ANCC Board Certification.
• Physician Assistants: PA license in NYS and Board Certification.
• BLS Certification; Current or Eligible for NYS License and DEA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of business management and principles to direct the practice operations.
• Knowledge of computer accounting programs, spreadsheets and applications.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, coding and office procedures.
• Knowledge of third-party and insurance company operating procedures, regulations and billing requirements and government reimbursement programs.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, patients, organizations, and the public.
• Skilled in developing, implementing and administering budgets.
• Ability to process patients and public inquiries and respond with poise and efficiency.
• Ability to recognize, evaluate, solve problems, and correct errors.
• Ability to conceptualize workflow, develop plans, and implement appropriate actions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to communicate effectively with multicultural and language-deficit patients.
• Effective interpersonal and communications skills and excellent telephone etiquette.
• Must be able to adapt to a growing and changing environment.
• Motivation and desire to advance in the health care industry.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.