Process Improvement Engineer

At Houston Methodist, the Process Improvement Engineer position is a central member of the Operations and Process Improvement team and plays a key role with strategy execution, continuous performance improvement efforts, and other transformational initiatives. This position serves as a role model by integrating customer service skills, leadership skills and communication skills when leading the work of interdisciplinary teams. The Process Improvement Engineer position will coordinate with hospital leadership, directors, managers, physicians, and staff according to business needs and priorities, focusing on hospital priorities and targets around finance, access, quality, efficiency and other operational metrics.

This position will act as a change agent and facilitate process and performance improvement activities throughout the hospital and serve as an expert on measurement and analysis methods. The Process Improvement Engineer position will collaborate with the System Process Engineering team to develop and adopt best practices/processes. This position will also educate staff and leadership at the hospital on the basics of the Houston Methodist Business System via hands-on project engagement.

Exempt

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, process engineering, applied sciences, or related field OR in healthcare/business administration with Lean management or Six Sigma Green Belt certification
• Master’s degree in industrial engineering, process engineering, applied sciences or related field preferred

• Five years of experience in quality engineering/process improvement or related field; may consider Houston Methodist employee with four years of experience in quality engineering/process improvement or related field
• Three years of experience in a healthcare environment preferred

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Demonstrates ability to design and lead organizational transformation - a blend of change management, coaching, and lean methodology
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills (e.g., relationship management, appreciative inquiry, team building, and oral/written communication)
• Strong ability to problem solve within a team environment, and generate commitment and enthusiasm towards shared strategic initiative goals
• Demonstrates the ability to lead teams through informal (versus positional) authority, and coach and develop others to "take the reins"
• Strong leadership skills, especially in leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, cross functional teams effectively, both in terms of leading change and achieving results
• Demonstrates fundamental Lean skills (e.g., root cause problem solving, value stream mapping, A3 development) in order to understand challenges and identify process waste
• Demonstrates ability to function at a high level of self-direction
• Demonstrates effective change management skills
• Independently identify clinical and business system requirements through process and workflow analysis
• Utilizes technical skills necessary to analyze current processes and understand the hospital’s business system and strategy

• Provides Houston Methodist Business System process improvement and tool training throughout the hospital. Organizes multi-disciplinary groups that work collaboratively to solve problems, improve processes, and integrate services with other departments. Develops effective communication methods to keep staff and others informed about improvement/(re) design activities of the hospital and department.
• Coaches process owners,…