The Regulatory Strategist serves as an internal expert on aligning electronic health record (EHR) quality data with regulatory programs. This role is responsible for leading and organizing projects related to EHR incentive programs, quality data applications, and health IT reforms. As the primary contact for regulatory initiatives, the strategist works closely with clinical leaders, IT, quality, compliance, and data teams to identify and implement opportunities that enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, the position coordinates with external agencies, such as the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and CMS, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accurate reporting. The strategist may be assigned additional responsibilities to support organizational needs.

1. Regulatory Oversight: Monitors healthcare reform regulations and assesses their impact on Health Information Systems (HIS) alignment. Collaborates with senior leadership to develop initiatives that accommodate new regulatory requirements, using a combination of policy analysis, technology, process improvement, and regulatory interpretation. Identifies gaps and potential solutions, assessing the impact on providers, patients, and key stakeholders.

2. Project Management: Partners with IT to leverage new technology initiatives to streamline operations and improve cost-efficiency in regulatory alignment. Facilitates the interpretation of EHR incentive programs and health IT reforms, helping prioritize and fast-track performance improvement initiatives. Develops and maintains project artifacts, such as capability roadmaps, that outline activities, requirements, risks, and contract actions. Collaborates with business units to ensure operational goals are met and system solutions are optimized, coordinating analysis to support performance improvement and regulatory compliance

3. Administrative Leadership: Conducts research and documents program requirements, timelines, tools, and standard operating procedures for the ongoing management of EHR incentive programs and health IT reforms. Provides direction to site teams during the planning and implementation phases, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Regularly updates leadership on program progress, elevating issues for decision-making, and prepares comprehensive reporting on performance, compliance, and regulatory status. Manages readiness assessments, develops communication tools, and supports providers in meeting regulatory requirements.

4. Performance Improvement: Acts as a liaison between business units, IT vendors, and external organizations to ensure smooth implementation of EHR incentive programs and regulatory best practices. Works proactively with cross-functional teams to integrate necessary regulatory changes into strategies, policies, processes, and workflows. Supports physician education, collaborating with the Director of Quality, CMO, COO, and CCIO to develop tools for successful regulatory measure implementation.

      DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree including Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, or other related area.
• Minimum of three (3) years project management, system implementation, or clinical operations experience in a healthcare setting.

Required License/Certifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP^©) Certification (within 2 years of hire)

Preferred License/Certifications:

• Active RN license

    Additional Skills:

• Actively seeks opportunities for self-improvement through self-awareness and feedback.
• Ability to translate complex issues into manageable action plans (i.e., thoughts to actions).
• Ability to lead, manage, and execute projects successfully.
• Excellent writing, presentation development, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines, and to flex skills up or down depending on needs of specific projects.
• Knowledge of healthcare industry and healthcare reform.
• Ability to influence people in a highly matrixed organization and meet priorities of multiple stakeholders.
• Advanced consultative, management skills, and project management experience.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Must possess teambuilding skills.
• Able to work independently and handle multiple priorities.
• Ability to think innovatively and devise unique solutions.
• Comfortable challenging the status quo while working diplomatically to keep stakeholders engaged.
• Able to persuade others and gain commitment.
• Demonstrate the capacity to simplify ideas into easily understood concepts.
• Promotes flow of communication between/among different levels of the organization and externally.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Lifting up to 10 lbs. maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as files, patient charts, computer printouts, etc. Must have good manual dexterity. Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Must be able to stoop, kneel, and/or crouch on occasion.

• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.

Safety Factors

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.