Kindred Healthcare

Region Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer 

CONFIDENTIAL POSITION SPECIFICATION
Position	Region Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer
Company	Kindred Healthcare
Location	Westminster, California
Reporting Relationship	This position reports to the Region Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Website	http://www.kindredhealthcare.com

The word "kindred" has many meanings, including allied, similar and family. Kindred believes the name reflects their business as well as their values. Ranked first in Fortune magazine’s Most Admired Companies “Health Care: Medical Facilities” category, Kindred’s mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder they serve.

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. is a healthcare services company that through its subsidiaries operates hospitals, nursing centers, and a contract rehabilitation services business across the United States. As of March 31, 2009, the hospital division operates 82 LTAC hospitals (6,520 licensed beds) in 24 states. The health services division operates 220 nursing centers (28,400 licensed beds) in 27 states. Kindred also operates a contract rehabilitation services business that provides rehabilitative services primarily in long-term care settings.

The company stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KND.

Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) Hospitals

Kindred Healthcare uses an innovative team approach to care for patients with multisystem failure. The long-term acute care hospitals and pulmonary units feature an interdisciplinary environment where physicians, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, social workers, and case managers combine their expertise to provide quality care.

Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers

As America's aging population increases each day, Kindred Healthcare provides specialized long-term and rehabilitative healthcare in nursing and rehabilitation centers. The nursing centers provide care to approximately 25,000 medically complex residents daily. Because experts estimate that as many as two-thirds of nursing home residents have some sort of dementia, many of the nursing centers have separate Reflections™ units run by teams of professionals who specialize in the unique problems experienced by residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Alzheimer’s Care

Kindred Healthcare is committed to taking care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease. They provide specialized programs in a secured environment at a number of nursing and rehabilitation centers nationwide.

·       The Reflections ™ Community is designed for residents with mild to moderate cognitive impairments, such as the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Kindred Healthcare has developed a signature program, called ColorScapes®, that is designed to support the resident’s range of ability, rather than disability. This program embraces the principles of the Best Friends Approach and Habilitation Model as recommended by the Alzheimer’s Association. Specialized programming and care approaches are designed to create personal successes for each resident. Staff members are trained to recognize the special needs of those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Because Alzheimer’s disease is progressive and irreversible, the therapeutic environment is supportive rather than curative.

Assisted Living Residences

Kindred’s assisted living residences offer a full range of services, from housekeeping to restaurant-quality dining, that help the residents remain independent. Apartments are designed to provide privacy, but with easy access to activities and companionship.

The Region Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer provides strategic leadership, direction, consultation and support for the clinical services and operations of the Region and its hospitals.  Serves as an officer of Kindred Healthcare and participates as a key member of the senior management team for the Region, working closely with the Hospital Division Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations, and other clinical operations leaders.  Participates in the development, implementation and monitoring of quality improvement programs, including clinical outcomes, pathways, employee satisfaction, staffing, accreditation, fiscal management, etc. 

The Region Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer participates in the development and implementation of the Division’s and Region’s strategic plans, visions, goals and objectives, standards of performance, policies and procedures and organizational structure for all clinical services within the Region.  In collaboration with HD and Region Quality Councils, defines standards for quality of care by which each Region hospital can be measured.  In conjunction with other Region management, Executive Directors, CEOs, Administrators and CCO's, develops core standardized clinical policies and procedures to achieve the Company’s mission, vision and goals. 

The successful candidate will provide oversight for the development, support, training and expertise in clinical areas for assigned Region.  Assures that the Standards of Nursing Care and Standards of Nursing Practice are maintained and that Region clinical operations comply with regulatory and Joint Commission requirements, as well as applicable requirements of governing bodies, state and federal laws.

Essential Functions:

• Participates with Region SVP, EDs, CEOs, Administrators and CCOs in planning and creating the Region’s and hospitals’ strategic, operational, service design and other organizational plans and policies to achieve the mission and vision of the Company.

• Ensures that each Region hospital develops, designs and provides for a written scope of services, departmental policies and procedures that guide and support the provision and integration of services according to mission and vision of the Company.

• Assesses, oversees and integrates clinical operations and services provided at all Region hospitals, including nursing, dietary, respiratory therapy, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, clinical information systems, health information systems and education. 

• Communicates the Division’s and the Region’s mission, vision and plans to guide daily clinical operations and activities. Motivates EDs, CEOs, Administrators, CCOs and others to implement market and hospital operational, programmatic and other plans.

• Directs and oversees utilization of Division’s acuity-based staffing model in Region hospitals as input to optimum staffing.  Ensures that nursing leadership in Region hospitals understand how to effectively use staffing systems and processes.

• Assures orientation, in-service training, continuing education, annual performance and competency reviews of clinical personnel in Region hospitals are conducted to assure staff competency to provide services.

• Collaborates with Corporate, Division and inter-divisional departments, including Human Resources, Finance, Corporate Compliance, Legal, Liability Claims, Risk Management, Regulatory, Reimbursement and other functional areas.

Job Specific:

• Serves as Chief Nursing Officer for the Region, acting as a professional leader and influencing practices to encourage hospital development as centers for excellence in their communities.

• Determines education and training needs and functions as a resource to Corporate, Division, Region and hospital staff in specific areas that include clinical and operational issues, infection control, OSHA, performance improvement, regulatory compliance, job descriptions, risk management and clinically-related human resource issues. Specific emphasis is placed on implementing and executing policies and practices.

• Participates with SVP/COO and ED, CEO or Administrator and CCO to develop plans of correction following a Medicare, State or Joint Commission survey.

• Develops core, standardized programs and systems to assist facilities to meet regulatory requirements and provide quality care.

• Provides direction to Corporate and Division review and development of policies, procedures and systems to maintain Joint Commission accreditation and Medicare certification.  Verifies that each of the Region hospitals has the current version of the designated policy and procedure manuals.

-        Develop, at a minimum, a core set of resource materials that include:

-        State licensure regulations for each state responsible;

-        Scope of practice for licensed clinicians;

-        State pharmacy licensure regulations;

-        NFPA 101

-        State DHS & CMS representatives.

• Implements required pathways for patient care documentation in the electronic medical record.

• Performs and directs clinical analysis through on-site visits and report reviews.

• Supports Corporate and Division revision of Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules and Regulations and Governing Board Bylaws.

• Coordinates and leads conference calls and focus groups with hospital management/ administration.

• Reviews and analyzes research data regarding clinical processes to make recommendations for appropriate, cost-effective process improvements.

• Evaluates effectiveness of new products for use in all clinical settings.

• Completes special projects timely as requested by the Region Senior Vice President, and other Region and Division leadership.

• Consults with Human Resources in areas of recruitment and retention of clinical staff.

• Demonstrates professional conduct and ethics according to policy and procedure.

• Performs job duties safely as specified in the physical, sensory and mental requirements.

• Must be able to work cooperatively as a member of a team.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• These statements set forth the basic tasks and duties of the job, but are not intended to provide a detailed description of all functions that may be required to perform the job satisfactorily.

Company Specific:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean and wears appropriate identification when appropriate. 

• Completes annual health, safety and education requirements.  Maintains professional growth and development.

• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and/or employee information to assure patient and/or employee rights are protected.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served.

• Reports to work on time as scheduled; adheres to policies regarding notification of absence.

• Attends all mandatory management meetings and in-services.

• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.

• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.

• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the Company, Division, Region and hospitals.

• Maintains current licensure/certification for position, if applicable.

• Consistently demonstrates Guest Relation’s skills to patients, physicians, visitors, employees, and any other individuals with whom VP may come in contact.

• Consistently follows Company, Division, Region and hospital Health, Safety, Security, Hazardous Materials policies and procedures.

Minimum of eight years of inpatient care experience, including direct patient care and progressively higher supervisory responsibility; eight years of nursing/clinical management experience in the inpatient setting, preferably in a multi-facility organization; responsibility for financial planning and performance of clinical operations. Experience as a senior nurse executive.

Service Excellence Elements

• Pride – (Owning and feeling proud of work quality and our mission.) Performs work that reflects ownership and is a credit to self and positively represents Kindred.

• Teamwork – (Achieving greater results through cooperation and recognizing contributions.) Cooperates with co-workers while performing duties leading to everyone being able to achieve success and giving recognition where it is due.

• Compassion – (Listening and focusing on the patient/resident; taking sincere, appropriate actions.) Meets the patients’ needs and concerns by consistently acting in a patient-focused manner.

• Integrity – (Doing the right thing.) Demonstrates adherence to a strict moral or ethical code in performance of duties by always seeking to do the right thing.

• Respect – (Treating others as they would like to be treated; valuing others.) Acknowledges the worth of others through professional greetings, proper telephone etiquette, patience, and common courtesy.

• Fun – (Enjoying work and being an enthusiastic participant.) Demonstrates a positive attitude toward work and devotion to the task at hand.

• Professionalism – (Assuring skills (licensures) are current; looking and acting the part while performing at the highest level.) Keeps skills, competencies and required licensures/certifications current; displays mastery over attitude and behavior and pride in appearance. Consistently performs duties to the best of abilities.

• Responsibility – (Being accountable, doing what is expected or beyond; assuring what needs to get done, gets done.) Takes ownership of all aspects of duties shown through reliable, timely performance and accountability.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.  Very effective interpersonal skills with all levels of the organization.

• Ability to self-direct and work independently with minimum supervision.

• Ability to communicate in English effectively through verbal and written means.

• Ability to work under stress with conflicting priorities and in emergency situations.

• Excellent analytical skills and close attention to detail.

• Basic computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office, word processing and spreadsheet software.

• Understanding of standard financial reporting and accounting practices.

• Extensive knowledge of clinical support services that impact patient care, including laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and allied health professions.

• Excellent understanding of and ability to master the electronic medical record.

• Understanding of CMS Conditions of Participation, Joint Commission accreditation standards, other regulatory standards and national quality initiatives that impact patient care.

• Ability to travel moderately, with five overnight stays per month being common. 

• Must reside in general geographic area of Region Office, or as agreed upon with Region SVP.

Understanding the Business

• Knows the business and the mission-critical technical and functional skills needed to do the job; understands various types of business propositions and understands how businesses operate in general; learns new methods and technologies easily.

Making Complex Decisions

• Can solve even the toughest and most complex of problems; great at gleaning meaning from whatever data is available; is a quick study of the new and different; adds personal wisdom and experience to come to the best conclusion and solution, given the situation; uses multiple problem-solving tools and techniques.

Creating the New and Different

• Is able to come up with the next great breakthrough thing to do; is creative, a visionary, and can manage innovation; is an effective strategist full of ideas and possibilities; sees multiple futures; has broad interests and knowledge; can both create and bring exciting ideas to market; comfortable speculating about alternative futures without all of the data.

Keeping on Point

• Can quickly separate the mission-critical from the nice to dos and the trivials; quickly senses what's the next most useful thing to work on; focuses on the critical few tasks that really add value and puts aside or delays the rest.

Getting Organized

• Is well organized, resourceful, and planful; effective and efficient at marshalling multiple resources to get things done; lays out tasks in sufficient detail to mark the trail; is able to get things done with less and in less time; can work on multiple tasks at once without losing track; foresees and plans around obstacles.

Getting Work Done Through Others

• Manages people well; gets the most and best out of the people he/she has; sets and communicates guiding goals; measures accomplishments, holds people accountable, and gives useful feedback; delegates and develops; keeps people informed; provides coaching for today and for the future.

Managing Work Processes

• Is an effective process, work flow, and systems designer; is good at figuring out what to measure to track progress; sets up systems that can almost manage themselves; is a master at the effectiveness and efficiency of work systems; can quickly diagnose and fix a work flow problem; always looking for incremental process improvement.

Dealing with Trouble

• Fearlessly takes on all issues, challenges, and people; comfortably confronts and works through conflict; delivers negative feedback and messages without hesitation; deals promptly and fairly with problem performers; lets everyone know where they stand; thrives in crises and is energized by tough challenges; not afraid to make negative decisions and take tough action; challenges the

status quo.

Evaluating and Deploying People Accurately

• Reads people accurately; can diagnose strengths, weaknesses, and potential; knows what skills are required to fill a job or role; hires the best.

Focusing on Action and Outcomes

• Attacks everything with drive and energy with an eye on the bottom line; not afraid to initiate action before all the facts are known; drives to finish everything he/she starts.

Being Organizationally Savvy

• Maneuvers well to get things done; maze bright; knows where to go to get what he/she needs; politically aware and agile; knows what the right thing to do is; presents views and arguments well.

Communicating Effectively

• Writes and presents effectively; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; strongly gets a message across.

Managing Up

• Is ambitious and is comfortable marketing himself/herself to higher management; knows how to relate effectively with top management.

Relating Skills

• Warm, friendly, and interpersonally agile; easy to approach and talk to; relates well to all kinds of people; makes a pleasant first impression and builds solid relationships.

Caring About Others

• Quick to help others; has and shows empathy and sympathy for others; truly cares and is concerned; goes out of his/her way for others; makes time to listen; makes allowances for those in trouble.

Managing Diverse Relationships

• Relates well to a wide variety of diverse styles, types, and classes; open to differences; effective up, down, sideways, inside, and outside; builds diverse networks; quick to find common ground; treats differences fairly and equitably; treats everyone as a preferred customer.

Inspiring Others

• Is skilled at getting individuals, teams, and an entire organization to perform at a higher level and to embrace change; negotiates skillfully to achieve a fair outcome or promote a common cause; communicates a compelling vision and is committed to what needs to be done; inspires others; builds motivated, high-performing teams; understands what motivates different people.

Acting with Honor and Character

·       Is a person of high character; is consistent and acts in line with a clear and visible set of values and beliefs; deals and talks straight; walks his/her talk; is direct and truthful but at the same time can keep confidences.

Being Open and Receptive

·       At ease and relaxed; easy to talk to and get to know; listens attentively; is an open book; has a positive sense of humor; deals calmly with stress and gives people a chance to catch up.

Demonstrating Personal Flexibility

• Open to lifelong, continuous personal improvement; aware of self and impact on others; responsive to feedback; is very flexible; can act in ways that seem contradictory and is adaptable to demand characteristics of different situations.

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing required; Master’s degree in related field required (e.g., MSN, MHA, MBA, MPH).

An attractive compensation package will be offered, including a competitive salary as well as an incentive bonus plan.  Comprehensive benefits are provided.

KORN/FERRY CONTACTS
Jim Paxton Senior Client Partner Healthcare Services Korn/Ferry International 1700 K Street NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20006 202-955-0953 Jim.Paxton@kornferry.com	Ed Mullen Senior Client Partner Healthcare Services Korn/Ferry International 1900 Avenue of the Stars Suite 2600 Los Angeles, CA 90067 301-226-6303 ed.mullen@kornferry.com
Conrad Woody Senior Associate Korn/Ferry International 1700 K Street NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20006 202-955-0942 conrad.woody@kornferry.com