Stanford Health Care - Palo Alto, CA
posted 5 months ago
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Stanford Health Care (SHC) plays a pivotal role in leading and directing the hospital operations of Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC). This position encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including the management of professional, ancillary, and support services, as well as oversight of the Human Resources Department. The COO is tasked with planning, organizing, developing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating the activities and resources necessary for delivering quality patient care and ensuring efficient operations. This role is performed in alignment with the mission and policies of SUMC, as established by its governing bodies. A key aspect of this position is building, leading, and sustaining a high-performing senior management team that is capable of executing the facility's master plan effectively. In terms of leadership and innovation, the COO leads key administrative staff in developing and implementing operational plans and standards of practice that align with the strategic initiatives of the organization. This includes establishing annual goals and objectives, ensuring that services are integrated and optimally coordinated, and maintaining a focus on the organization's mission. The COO is responsible for assessing the strengths and needs of the facility, developing plans that ensure appropriate integration of services, and providing progress reports to the CEO to ensure accountability. Quality management and customer service are also critical components of the COO's responsibilities. The COO consistently assesses customer needs to ensure that existing services meet quality standards and responds to patient satisfaction surveys to drive continuous improvement. The role involves ensuring that the quality of care provided by staff is measured and improved in accordance with SUMC's Quality Improvement Plan, as well as establishing mechanisms to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients and employees. Financial management is another key area of focus for the COO, who develops and recommends operating and capital budgets to the CEO, ensuring that tools and training are in place to monitor and control the operating budget. The COO also oversees the development of programs to assess efficiency and optimal resource use, demonstrating the ability to forecast needs for new programs and evaluating cost and benefit. Human resources management is essential, as the COO ensures that a sufficient number of quality personnel are available to provide safe and service-oriented care. This includes developing manpower projections, providing education and recognition for staff, and engaging the workforce in hospital planning and problem-solving processes. The COO also fosters positive relationships with patients, families, and staff, promoting teamwork and collaboration across departments to achieve the institution's strategic goals.