Ballinger | Leafblad is proud to present the following information on behalf of our client, West Side Community Health Services, in its search for a Chief Executive Officer.
PRESENTING OUR CLIENT — WEST SIDE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
Organizational Overview
Founded in 1972, West Side Community Health Services provides comprehensive health care and social services to underserved people in the community surrounding the St. Paul metro area. As Minnesota’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, West Side Community Health Services treats over 35,000 patients each year, regardless of their ability to pay. No other local organization serves as many sectors of the population as sensitively and effectively. By delivering services in a variety of native languages, and by emphasizing education and prevention, West Side Community Health Services empowers patients to take control of their own health.
West Side Community Health Services works out of 17 medical and dental sites throughout the metro area where multilingual and multicultural expertise is most needed. Sometimes that means working in urban neighborhoods or in local schools. Other times that means visiting public housing campuses and homeless shelters. But most often, it means working with patients at the seven main clinic sites, including the recently built 34,000 square foot clinic east of downtown St. Paul. This new facility houses a multitude of exam rooms, 20 state-of-the-art dental operators, an on-site pharmacy and an entire section dedicated to behavioral health.
Among its various locations, the organization offers a full set of patient-centered services including primary care, specialty care, preventive health, urgent care, complementary health, pharmacy, dental services, OB/GYN, and mental health care. Social and wrap-around services are also offered, for example child care, transportation services and assistance with health plan enrollment. Currently, West Side Community Health employs over 300 people, approximately 60% of whom are bilingual and bicultural.
With its dedication to providing access to affordable care, West Side Community Health Services supports underinsured and uninsured patients in a variety of ways. For example, the organization uses a fee structure based on a sliding scale while patients without health insurance receive support through West Side Cares’ Discount Program. Typically, the organization provides over $13 million in sliding fee discounts for medical, dental and pharmacy services.
A snapshot of the demographic composition of the families served by West Side Community Health Services reveals a population in need. Nearly all (98%) have incomes below 200% of poverty. Almost half are enrolled in Medicaid or other public health insurance and approximately 40% do not have health insurance at all. In addition, 86% of patients come from communities of color, most notably Asian, African American, American Indian and Latino with about half served in a language other than English.
Mission
Strengthening the well-being of our community through health care for all.
Vision
West Side Community Health Services envisions a community in which all people have access to exceptional, comprehensive health care and are living healthy lives. West Side Community Health Services is the leader in delivering affordable health care by being the provider of choice, driven by compassion and respect for all.
Core Values
- Justice: Advocating and working for a fair distribution of resources and opportunities.
- Compassion: Partnering with and caring for patients by seeking to understand the world through their eyes.
- Accountability: Holding the organization and all involved accountable for the work.
- Respect: Valuing all people, honoring each individual’s unique strengths and challenges.
- Excellence: Consistently delivering high-quality services and ensure an exceptional patient experience.
PRESENTING THE POSITION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Overview of Position
The Chief Executive Officer provides inspiring and effective leadership while administering, directing and coordinating all activities of West Side Community Health Services in fulfillment of its values, mission, strategy, and the achievement of its annual goals and objectives. The CEO models, promotes and ensures the organization’s’ mission, vision and core values are evident and present in the provision of all services provided by West Side Community Health Services.
The CEO leads and directs the organization’s activities through effective implementation of Board of Directors’ policies and organizational goals and objectives. The CEO ensures the delivery of high quality health care services that are responsive to the diverse needs of the communities served. Further, the CEO provides information and guidance to the Board to ensure their effective decision making and supports the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities as West Side Community Health Services’ governing body.
Primary Responsibilities
Board Administration and Support
- Serves an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board of Directors and supports the operations and administration of the’ Board by maintaining continual, open and effective communication with Board members.
- Participates in and supports the selection and training of new board members.
- Ensures that comprehensive orientation and continuing education opportunities are available to Board members.
- Facilitates relationships between the Board, legal counsel, and accounting/audit organizations.
- Is a staff member of all committees of the Board, unless instructed otherwise by the Board.
- Provides leadership in developing, planning and implementing West Side Community Health Services operation and business plans as directed by the Board.
- Informs Board about current trends, problems and health care related activities to facilitate strategy and decision-making.
Delivery of Health Care Services
- Establishes, secures Board approval and oversees implementation of all the organization’s operating policies and procedures.
- Collaborates with West Side Community Health Services senior leadership team to ensure success in the design, marketing, promotion, delivery, risk management and quality of all the programs and services provided.
- Ensure that senior leadership team will set and follow policies and practices that effectively support sound and safe patient care, and that the delivery of healthcare services provides the highest level of a positive experience to the patient.
- Enhances operational effectiveness, emphasizing cost containment without jeopardizing innovation or quality of care.
- Continually monitors operations, quality and outcomes, programs, and physical properties and initiates changes as needed.
Financial, Legal and Grant Compliance
- Oversees the business and financial affairs of West Side Community Health Services and fiscal management including accounting, budgeting, internal controls and timely reporting.
- Ensures compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations as they apply to the operations of the organization and specifically:
- Oversees and ensures compliance with Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) grant requirements, submission of annual grant award renewals, and operational and service system requirements.
- Ensures appropriate administration and management of all grant activities.
- Oversees and ensures compliance with The Joint Commission requirements or other accrediting body(ies) the organization participates with.
- Assesses the principal risk of the organization as a whole and ensures risks are monitored and managed.
Partnerships and Community Presence
- Fosters collaborative relationships that support the organization’s mission and leverages resources to the advantage of communities served.
- Ensures that West Side Community Health Services is actively engaged and present throughout its service area and target populations.
- Ensures that the organization is actively involved in the development of policy and advocacy initiatives that support the needs of its service area and target populations.
- Through exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, ensures that West Side Community Health Services and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders, including patients, employees, partners, and the community at large.
- Represents the organization in its relationships with other health organizations, government agencies, and third party payers.
Financial Management
- Recommends yearly budget for Board approval and ensures prudent management of the organization’s resources within those budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations.
- Oversees the negotiation of professional, consultant and service contracts and has Board delegated authority to execute agreements/contracts.
- Ensures that appropriate internal and management controls are established and maintained.
- Works with the Board to so ensure the appropriate financing is reviewed to support short and long term goals.
Human Resource Management
- Organizes function of West Side Community Health Services through appropriate delegation and establishes a formal means of accountability for those assigned duties.
- Ensures effective management of the human resources of the organization according to current, authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and regulations.
- Develops and maintains high employee morale and ensures the organization has effective recruitment, retention and performance evaluation processes.
- Serves as liaison and channel of communication between the Board and its committees and staff.
- Resolves any staff-administrative problems and keeps lines of communication open with staff to ensure high employee morale and a professional, healthful organizational atmosphere.
Facilities and Information Technology Management
- Oversees the preservation of the asset value of West Side Community Health Services and its capital investments.
- Oversees the management of construction and facility rehabilitation activities.
- Ensures physical and information security, disaster, and emergency preparedness activities are appropriately planned, exercised, and documented.
Diversity and Cultural Competence
- Understands and guides West Side Community Health Services through the subtle and complex diversity and cultural competence issues in healthcare as they relate specifically to marginalized groups and consider how these vary by gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status.
Adaptive Leadership
- Approaches change by encouraging others to work together to tackle tough challenges to thrive.
- Connects organizational change to the core values and capabilities of the relevant stakeholders.
- In collaboration with the senior leadership team anticipates and counteracts resistance related to change.
Reporting Relationships
The CEO reports to the Board of Directors and has independent decision making within areas of responsibility and organizational policy. The CEO consults with Board, senior leadership and external resources as necessary.
The CEO provides leadership and supervision to senior executives in the organization. Reporting directly to the CEO are the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Dental Director, Executive Assistant, Grants Management Director, and Human Resources Director.
Desired Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Education: Graduate degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field; graduate of an accredited university with a degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field; five years directly related experience with community healthcare facilities of similar size and structure preferred.
- Experience: Five years of experience in healthcare administration of health center operations, preferably in an FQHC environment; three years of strategic senior leadership experience with measured change management outcomes in a multi-site organization; and balanced experience in operations, finance, and administration.
Language Skills
Superior communication skills to successfully represent West Side Community Health Services in the community, with patients, families and the provider staff; at state and national level boards and organizations and in the media. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
Analytical Skills
Able to amass all relevant information to complete a careful assessment of the financial status and strategies in the organization; able to build a strong business case to advocate for the betterment of West Side Community Health Services; is objective and capable of ‘de-emotionalizing’ analyses and corrections.
Other Characteristics, Skills and Abilities
- Patient focused: Embraces the standard of the patient being the center of all decisions.
- Collaborative: Committed to inviting participation in the evaluation and planning of all major initiatives; works to build consensus and alignment amongst West Side Community Health Services team and partners.
- An Achiever: The CEO seeks achievement beyond standard expectations. With a sense of urgency, the CEO carries an aura of success predicated on more than achievement of minimum benchmarks; innately driven to improvement and not satisfied with just compliance. The CEO is dynamic, enthusiastic and energetic in pursuit of personal and organizational goals; approaches challenges as opportunities for improvement with a contagious energy that drives the organization.
- Of strong character: Honest and straight-forward, given to transparency and full disclosure; respectful of others’ feelings and perspectives; able to maintain the highest level of integrity and create confidence even within those with doubts; can quickly and easily address questions of morals or ethics to guide decision making.
- Courageous: The CEO must be able to remain fearless in doing the right thing for the patient and the organization, even in the face of strong opposition; not afraid to speak directly; comfortable in presenting a full and accurate picture of any situation.
- A Superior Communicator: The CEO must be a master of communication, both verbal and written, and have the ability to have courageous conversations. She/he must be a good listener with innate empathy for differing views. The CEO must be able to communicate clearly and eloquently in order to effectively function in any setting, from a meeting with government officials or community members; to a meeting with a patient’s family; to a hallway conversation with employees.
- Decisive: The CEO has conviction, based on well thought-out analysis and personal strength; is able to pull upon diverse past experiences to craft novel and innovative solutions.
- Visionary: The CEO can take the organization to the next step in its structure, scope, performance and quality improvement; has the ability to stay ‘ahead of the game’ by anticipating demands and constraints within the evolving healthcare industry and be able to ensure West Side Community Health Services is positioned for continued success.
- Astute: The CEO is bright, and is intellectually capable of mastering the complexities of leading this growing health care provider; having the business and financial acumen to analyze, comprehend, select and implement innovative solutions and models for the delivery of healthcare to lead the organization to short-term and long-term success.
- Persuasive: The CEO is clear and consistent in the delivery of the message of the organization’s mission, vision and values. Can present a strong business case for a distinct direction while demonstrating empathy for contrasting views; maintains a truly good sense of humor as a person who enjoys his/her work.
- An Advocate: The CEO is the champion of West Side Community Health Services, both internally and externally; speaks effectively to clarify and build support for the organization in our communities and in the larger arena of healthcare delivery.
- A Change Agent: The CEO sponsors, champions and facilitates change throughout the organization to meet the challenges of the evolving environment of healthcare delivery.
- Resilient and stable: The CEO is able to manage multiple priorities and demands; is a model of responsiveness from the administrative suite that is flexible, yet predictable and reliable that will reinforce trust even in times of divergent opinion.
- Visible: The CEO has a style that creates the expectation of regular contact and interaction among staff and providers; regularly rounds throughout the organization and among patients.
- Confidential: The CEO will maintain and uphold strict confidentiality regarding patient information and organizational information. This position upholds the highest ethical standards.
Reasoning Ability
The CEO has the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in a prompt and effective manner.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Membership as a Fellow in American College of Healthcare Executives preferred.
BALLINGER|LEAFBLAD INVITES YOU TO CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lars Leafblad, MBA
Co-Founder/Principal
[email protected]
or
Marcia Ballinger, PhD
Co-Founder/Principal
[email protected]
West Side Community Health Services is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Words by Lisa Dahlberg | Photos by Hannan Wazwaz
At YNPN Twin Cities’ May Leadership Breakfast, Tracy Fischman was a ball of energy. She enthusiastically greeted the young professionals who had woken up at the crack of dawn to spend time with her. Tracy is the executive director of Prepare + Prosper, an organization that provides high quality tax preparation and related financial services to individuals and families of limited means.
In the conversation that followed, topics meandered from professional advice to a discussion about making friends as a transplant to the Twin Cities. Tracy spoke about her unique career path and did some listening, too, asking attendees to share their experiences with her.
Building a bridge to systems change work
Tracy recently had her car towed. It was an experience that illustrated for her “the many ways that our systems screw poor people.”
“It cost $138, to pay for my car, $37.50 for the parking ticket. They also add on $18 each day. So if you can’t pick up your car, if you can’t get to the impound lot the day your car is towed, it’s $18 every single day after that. I asked the person who shuttled me out to my car at the impound lot what happens when people can’t afford to get their cars. She said that after thirty days, they basically sell off the cars. So for me, this was the epitome of one of the most systemic injustices that exists. If you are poor, you most likely don’t have a parking place. You often are probably at risk of getting a ticket, or probably getting your car towed, and you absolutely cannot afford $138 plus $18 for every single day your car sits in that lot.
And that is, for me, the kind of storyline that drives me in my work. That’s what it’s about. I’ve had a lot of questions about my own career trajectory, how I’ve made choices about what to do in my career, and it really is about that. Even from very early on—even when I was a young kid—there’s been this sense of justice. There’s a Hebrew saying called Tikkun Olam. It means “to heal and repair the world.” Those have always been the values that have driven me in everything I do. Beyond that, I have really not been all that strategic in setting out my own career pathway. It has always been about what is ultimately going to drive me to make change in people’s lives, and ultimately, make systems change. So I’m already thinking about who at the City of Minneapolis I’m going to be reaching out to, to change this system. Because this is truly an economic barrier. This is just one of many ways that it is expensive to be poor. So we’re going to be working on that.
Ultimately, what I have always known is, while I’ve done direct service work—and it’s always been important to me to be grounded around individual level work, and how you can make an impact in doing service delivery to help people make change in their lives—I’ve always felt like there has to be a bridge to systems change work. And so much of my career has been focusing on policy—warding off really bad policy.”
Networking as a newcomer
Of you the young, nonprofit professionals in the room, many were originally from Minnesota, while others were recent (and not-so-recent) transplants. One attendee asked Tracy about navigating socially in the Twin Cities. Once the topic was broached, it became a lively chat between Tracy and several attendees. Tracy invited everyone in the room to make the commitment to get to know someone new, and to actually ask that person to coffee to continue the conversation.
“We’ve all heard that saying. For newcomers to the Twin Cities, “Minnesota Nice turns into Minnesota ice.” I think that’s real. I don’t think that’s just a stereotype or a cliche or something people use as an excuse for why they might be having trouble building community here. But I think of organizations like YNPN, I think of some of the nonprofit opportunities, and volunteer opportunities that exist. To some extent, it’s just really about putting yourself out there, and kind of forcing yourself to attend these kind of networking events to try to meet people. And then, you know, asking somebody that you meet here to meet for coffee. I encourage you all to at least meet one person you haven’t met before, and make a coffee date. To actually take it to that next level.
Finding and being your authentic self
Knowing her audience, Tracy shared some thoughts about what it’s like to be a young professional in 2017, and how that difference might make some people feel overwhelmed, under pressure, or out of step. The constant pressure to be authentic can sometimes feel counter-productive, especially as Millennials are expected to seamlessly merge their personal and professional lives.
“You guys are coming up in a culture that is very different from how it was when I started my career. There was no social media, there wasn’t even email. I spent some time looking at headlines of articles that popped up on LinkedIn, BoardSource, other web resources, and I realized how overwhelming it must be to really be newer in your career when these are the things that are being thrown at you:
- Be More Charismatic and Successful by Focusing on These Areas
- Your Career Can Benefit From Your Online Presence
- How to Impress Those You Meet at Work
- Don’t Fall for These Job Search Assumptions
There are lots of experts—so-called experts—who think they know what you need to do to be better in your job, to be better in your career search. There’s a lot of advice about being your authentic self and finding what your authentic self is. Well, truthfully, I think it is really important to be your authentic self, but only you can determine what it means to be in your skin and what it means for you to walk in your shoes. It feels overwhelming—there’s a lot of advice out there. It is a different age today.”
Moving from direct service delivery to systems change
Many young professionals in the room wanted to know how Tracy moves between direct service work and system-level work, and how to balance the two.
“I think some of it is knowing who is doing systems-level work in your area. So if you’re doing housing work, checking out the Coalition Against Homelessness, or Housing Now Coalition, and then figuring out, are there stories that I’m hearing? And actually if you’re working with a client or a program participant, to actually listen a lot. Is there a theme to their stories? Is there a policy barrier that is actually affecting these themes that you’re hearing? And then talking to people who are lobbyists or who are doing advocacy work. What is the law around this? What are the rules? What are the systemic barriers that are driving people to continue to have these barriers? There may be systems fixes, and there may be people who are working on those fixes. And there may be some power in you asking permission. Can I share your story with people who are trying to make systems change around this? But I think it’s about being networked, knowing who is doing some of that systems work, and then seeing if you can tap into some of that. We all have the duty to work at the systems level. We don’t have the luxury to just be doing direct service.”
Breakfast of Champions: Tracy Fischman Photo Gallery
We are excited to introduce a new leadership development opportunity for people who have the desire and potential to make positive changes where they live or work.
Change Networks are unique learning experiences for people who want to build the skills and connections that will help them become more effective leaders. They are cohort-style programs, so participants will also gain new allies who can support their work during the program and beyond.
The initial Change Network offerings are designed for people who want to improve their ability to lead change in a more equitable and inclusive manner.
You can apply to join a Change Network program in your state. All programs will run from Fall 2017 to Summer 2018. The application period for each cohort opens today, June 6, 2017.
Visit bfdn.org/CNP to learn more.
Minnesota Tonight, the news-comedy show that keeps you up to date on your state, is now accepting submissions for our staff of writers, talent and technical team! Since 2015 Minnesota Tonight has created politically relevant comedy in the spirit of “The Daily Show”, entirely focused on the news and issues that hit closest to home.
We are now looking to add to our team for our current season and future seasons filmed live at Brave New Workshop. We seek to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable organization – we highly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ folks and/or those from other marginalized communities to apply!
Show Details & Time Commitment:
Shows every fourth Wednesday at Brave New Workshop’s ETC theatre
Weekly meetings Saturdays from 1:30-3:30 + additional meetings/video shoots as needed
This is a collaboratively created and produced show of 25+ staff members constantly producing top-level comedy. If you are looking to have your voice heard and talent seen on screen, this is the show for you.
Application: https://goo.gl/forms/e8T7eU5lBRLlPWy22
If you have any questions, including any requests for additional information regarding time commitments or pay, please contact us at [email protected]
