CLINICAL INFORMATICS SPECIALIST

Position Summary:
The Clinical Informatics Specialist serves as a clinical–technical liaison between healthcare providers and information technology, supporting the effective use, optimization, and maintenance of the organization’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, including MEDITECH Expanse. This role focuses on supporting clinical workflows, system build, education, and day to day optimization to enhance patient safety, documentation accuracy, and operational efficiency.
The Clinical Informatics Specialist works collaboratively with clinical staff, IT, and leadership to ensure the EHR supports clinical practice, regulatory requirements, and organizational goals. This position exercises professional judgment while performing moderately complex informatics and system support functions.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

•    Clinical Informatics
o    Serve as a subject matter expert for MEDITECH Expanse clinical modules and workflows.
o    Support configuration, maintenance, and optimization of MEDITECH Expanse clinical workflows, parameters, toolkits, dashboard builds.
o    Assist with analysis of clinical processes and identify opportunities for EHR improvement.
o    Coordinate and collaborate with clinical leadership and departments with IT teams to build, enhance and optimize MEDITECH Expanse.
o    Support development and maintenance of standardized clinical documentation and order sets.
o    Respond to clinical EHR issues and coordinate resolution with IT and vendors.
o    Support and assist in development of a new Clinical Informatics department by influencing a positive work environment based on SMH’s mission, vision, and values.
•    System Development & Optimization
o    Participate in testing, validation, and deployment of MEDITECH Expanse EHR upgrades, enhancements, testing, validation, and new functionality.
o    Assist with system build and configuration changes under guidance of Senior Clinical Informatics Specialist.
o    Support go-live activities and workflow transitions across clinical departments.
o    Document issues, solutions, and workflow changes according to departmental standards.
o    Ability to translate clinical needs into technical solutions.
•    Compliance, Quality, & Collaboration
o    Support compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements (CMS, Joint Commission, HIPAA, BAA, HITECH, etc.)
o    Must maintain strict confidentiality and integrity of all patient and clinical information and protection.
o    Document issues, solutions, and workflow changes according to departmental standards.
o    Must comply with all organizational policies and procedures.
o    Support quality reporting, patient safety initiatives, and performance improvement that aligns with operational efficiency.
•    Training & End-User Support
o    Provide training and education to clinical staff on EHR functionality and best practices.
o    Assist with development of training materials, job aids, and reference documentation.
o    Provide at the elbow support during system changes, go lives, and optimization initiatives.
o    Provide one-on-one coaching and group education sessions to ensure competency.
o    Create user guides, quick reference materials, and competency assessments. 
•    Support & Troubleshooting
o    Act as escalation point for complex clinical EHR issues and system optimization requests.
o    Provide at-the-elbow support during system changes, upgrades, and go-live events.
o    Act as the first point of contact for clinical staff experiencing application issues.
o    Coordinate with IT to resolve systems problems and escalate issues as needed.
o    Monitor system performance and user feedback to proactively address concerns. 
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills, Navajo language a plus.
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office M365 applications and other healthcare systems applications.
•    Performs other duties as required and/or assigned.
 

Minimum Qualifications:

•    Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Medicine, Clinical Informatics, Health Informatics, or related field (required); or minimum of two (2) years of hands-on experience with MEDITECH Expanse HER (or other current EHR system) in a clinical, informatics, or optimization role.
•    Master’s degree in Nursing Informatics, Health Informatics, Clinical Informatics, or related discipline (preferred).
•    Current RN license or applicable clinical license in good standing (required).
•    Hospital or healthcare system experience (required).
•    Hospital-related IT work experience (preferred).
•    Demonstrated experience with clinical workflow analysis, system optimization, and EHR training.
•    Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain appropriate clearance while employed. 
•    Must be able to successfully pass the Employee Health Program requirements and background investigation.
    
    Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:
    
•    Working knowledge of MEDITECH Expanse clinical workflows and functionality.
•    Understanding of clinical operations, documentation, and patient care processes.
•    Ability to translate clinical needs into system support requests and workflow improvements.
•    Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
•    Effective verbal and written communication skills.
•    Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
•    Strong interpersonal skills in working in a teams environment.
•    Demonstrated project management abilities.
•    Requires flexibility to provide support during off-hours for systems go-lives or urgent issues. 
•    Combination of office-based work and clinical floor presence.
•    Knowledge of nursing practice and patient care.
•    Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures.
•    Knowledge of clinical instruments and equipment.
•    Knowledge of appropriate procedures and standards for administering medications and patient care aids.
•    Knowledge of laboratory procedures, equipment needed for procedures, and how to complete the requisition forms.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the Employee regularly is required to sit; use arms and hands to reach and grasp objects; talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee occasionally is required to stand; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds. 

Work Environment:
Established work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required. Work is generally performed in a clinical and/or office setting with moderate noise. The environment can be fast-paced, requiring flexibility, responsiveness, and the ability to perform under pressure. This position may require work on weekends, holidays, and after hours.  Travel may be required to handle support calls to our satellite clinic.