The position

The CMIOs will have operational roles in the planning, implementation and optimization of AKU’s electronic health record (EHR) components and in the advancement of health systems’ clinical quality and safety initiatives through the use of clinical information systems. Note that the Nairobi and the Karachi sites are at different stages of implementation of EHR, with Nairobi’s EHR system being operational and Karachi’s in the implementation phase.

Responsibilities

• The CMIOs will report to the CEO of the AKUH, Nairobi and Karachi, respectively, and both will have a dotted line report to the CIO.

Specifically, you will be responsible to:

Provide strategic leadership on EHR systems impact and implementation:

• evaluate the overall impact of IT services on clinical processes;
• provide leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of strategic and tactical use of clinical information technology systems; these include core, system-wide divisional, and departmental systems, as well as associated documentation and other technology-associated decisions that impact all work processes for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals;
• in Karachi, provide direction in the planning and implementation phases of AKU’s EHR programmes;

Ensure effective user support and education for EHR systems adoption:

• ensure patient care and patient processes are well integrated in EHR systems and focus on advanced technology solutions to enhance the overall patient experience and continuity of quality patient care;
• comprehend and be responsive to the requirements and priorities of physicians, nurses, and other health professionals through strong engagement processes on IT related initiatives;
• support protocols for data use for quality assurance and research, including cross-border access to clinical information;

Drive continuous improvement of quality and impact of medical information systems and data:

• participate in periodic quality improvement and patient safety committees and work in collaboration with the clinical leadership, EHR and IT teams to design and implement systems that support patient care, quality initiatives, operational effectiveness, and research activities;
• oversee quality of data and information provided by the Quality Department to ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation bodies and oversee the data mining and quality for respective hospitals;
• advise the Aga Khan Health Service (AKHS) in respective regions on use of data if and when required;
• participate in clinical advisory committees to provide continuous feedback and engage with patient care providers including physicians, nursing staff, allied health, ancillary staff and medical records’ professionals to facilitate the design, continuous development, and use of clinical information systems to support excellence in patient care, research and education;
• visit periodically, inpatient, outpatient, ER and other associated clinical areas to observe user-end system performance and identify areas of opportunities for EHR optimization;

Establish medical information systems guidelines and policies based on best practices:

• collaborate with physicians, nursing, other health professional staff, and administrative leadership to proactively develop, monitor and revise the evidence-based automated clinical guidelines and best practices to improve the quality of care and gain maximum efficacy and efficiency.

The requirements

• MBBS/ MScN degree or equivalent with an additional Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Clinical Informatics, or Computer Science is preferred
• Certification in Clinical Informatics is preferred
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in clinical settings is required, with a minimum 3 years’ experience in leadership, information technology management or clinical informatics would be an added advantage
• Widespread knowledge and practical experience with electronic health information systems including configuration, implementation, support and optimization in hospital setting is required
• Post EHR implementation benefit realization experience is an advantage
• Experience with implementation and support of systems for virtual care is an advantage
• A proven track record of accomplishments in management, particularly involving collaborative successful work with physicians, nursing, and other allied health professionals is required
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, and change management skills to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships is required.