SENIOR CLINICAL INFORMATICS SPECIALIST

Position Summary:
The Senior Clinical Informatics Specialist serves as a lead clinical–technical expert for the organization’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, with primary responsibility for advanced optimization, development, and governance of MEDITECH Expanse. This position functions as a senior “super user” and subject matter expert, bridging clinical practice and information technology to ensure the EHR effectively supports safe, efficient, and high quality patient care.
The Senior Clinical Informatics Specialist provides leadership in workflow design, system build, testing, training, and change management, and plays a key role in mentoring other Clinical Informatics team members. This role exercises significant professional judgment and works closely with clinical leadership, IT, Quality, and external vendors.

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 leadership
o    Serve as a senior subject matter expert for MEDITECH Expanse clinical modules and workflows.
o    Lead various initiatives using project management abilities.
o    Lead clinical workflow analysis and translate operational needs into optimized EHR configuration.
o    Provide expert guidance on system build, enhancements, and best practice utilization for system upgrades or new application integration.
o    Partner with nursing leadership, physicians, and ancillary departments to align technology with clinical practice.
o    Lead 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 MEDITECH Expanse upgrades, enhancements, testing, validation, and go live support.
o    Design and evaluate workflow changes to improve documentation accuracy, efficiency, and patient safety.
o    Collaborate with IT and clinical leadership on system integrations, access design, and technical troubleshooting. Ability to translate clinical needs into technical solutions.
o    Demonstrate ability to collect and analyze complex data, evaluate information, and draw logical conclusions.
o    Support development and maintenance of standardized clinical documentation and order sets.
o    Identify workflow inefficiencies and recommend solutions that enhance patient safety and staff productivity.
•    Compliance & Quality Improvement
o    Ensure clinical applications meet federal and state regulatory requirements (CMS, Joint Commission, HIPAA, BAA, HITECH, etc.).
o    Must comply with all organizational policies and procedures.
o    Participate in quality improvement initiatives by leveraging data from MEDITECH Expanse and collaborate with clinical leadership, Quality, and IT department.
o    Support quality reporting, patient safety initiatives, and performance improvement that aligns with operational efficiency.
o    Must maintain strict confidentiality and integrity of all clinical and electronic health information and protection.
•    Training & Education
o    Develop and deliver training programs for providers, nurses, and clinical staff on system use and updates.
o    Schedule MEDITECH training seminars and webinars for various departments.
o    Mentor Clinical Informatics Specialists and Analyst.
o    Provide one-on-one coaching and group education sessions to ensure competency and compliance. 
o    Assist with development of training materials, job aids, and reference documentation.
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).
•    Master’s degree in nursing informatics, health informatics, clinical informatics, or related discipline (preferred).
•    Current RN license or Physician (MD/DO) license in good standing (required).
•    Hospital or healthcare system experience (required).
•    Hospital-related IT work experience (preferred).
•    Minimum of three (3) years of hands-on experience with MEDITECH Expanse HER (or other current EHR system) in a clinical, informatics, or optimization role.
•    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:
    
•    Advanced knowledge of MEDITECH Expanse EHR clinical workflows and functionality.
•    Strong understanding of clinical operations, documentation standards, and patient care processes.
•    Ability to translate clinical needs into technical system solutions.
•    Excellent analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work across disciplines and departments.
•    Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and lead change initiatives in a faced paced environment.
•    Knowledge of and ability to interpret applicable tribal, federal, state, local laws and regulations.
•    Demonstrated leadership and 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.
•    Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all employees and patient information.
•    Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.

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 and other duties to our satellite clinic.