At Houston Methodist, the System Process Engineer is a central member of the Process Engineering team and plays a key role with strategy deployment and other transformation efforts through the facilitation of Kaizen events, projects and workshops. This position serves as a role model by integrating customer service skills, leadership skills and communication skills when interfacing with both internal and external customers. The System Process Engineer will work in coordination with specific site leadership according to business needs and priorities, with a focus on organizational goals and targets around finance, access, quality, efficiency and other operational metrics. S/he will act as a change agent for the organization and facilitate improvement activities throughout the system. This position will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop, support and adopt best practices/processes system wide. S/he will also educate staff and leadership in the system on the basics of Lean principles via hands-on project engagement.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides system level lean training throughout the organization on lean tools and lean management system.

• Develops effective communication methods to keep staff and others informed about improvement/(re)design activities of the organization and department.

• Works collaboratively to solve problems, improve processes, and integrate services with other departments.

• Coaches Process Owners and Staff in the use of Daily Management System elements, Accountability Processes (huddles and performance reviews), Problem Solving and Waste elimination, Managing to Standard Work and Leader Standard Work.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coaches and mentors team members and process owners to utilize a defined Kaizen/Lean process improvement methodology that analyzes and interprets data for decision making. Develops staff by assisting them to identify goals and opportunities for learning.

• Manages multiple projects simultaneously.

• Assists with interdisciplinary team leadership/facilitation and change management within targeted service areas. Leads teams independently as assigned.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports the quality and accreditation efforts of the organization by establishing system level clinical standard work instructions during Kaizen/Lean related activities. Works with accreditation and quality leaders to validate that all clinical procedures standard work instructions that guide and support patient care treatments and services are in alignment with quality and safety requirements.

• Leverages best practices (internal & external) and projects across multiple departments.

• Independently performs hospital and departmental work flow assessments/evaluations to identify improvement opportunities and determine data sets for evaluation/verification.

• Assists Leadership in identifying key projects that will provide the optimum benefit in improving Houston Methodist processes and performance.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Captures cost benefits from each improvement activity.

• Develops reports of overall Continuous Improvement activities including accomplishments, participation, projected activities, and anticipated needs.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides compelling communication to executives throughout the organization and makes the business case for change related to Kaizen/Lean activities. Coaches and mentors executives to become good sponsors of change related to Kaizen/Lean events in each facility.

• Actively seeks opportunities for self-improvement through self-awareness and feedback.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, process engineering, applied sciences or related field

• Master's degree in industrial engineering, process engineering, applied sciences or related field preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years of experience in quality engineering/process improvement or related field; for internal employees may consider HM employee with four years of experience in quality engineering/process improvement or related field

• Three years of experience in a healthcare environment preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• 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)

• Demonstrates a 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¿

• Demonstrates 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

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No

• Scrubs No

• Business professional Yes

• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group is an integral part of Houston Methodist’s overall strategy to become one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. Established as a nonprofit corporation certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, the Specialty Physician Group enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.