Description

The Director, Ambulatory Transformation & Access Innovation leads the design, implementation, and execution of strategic initiatives that enhance ambulatory access, operational efficiency, and patient throughput across the health system. This role oversees a diverse portfolio of transformation programs-including digital, AI-enabled, and workflow optimization initiatives-ensuring effective deployment, strong adoption, and measurable performance outcomes. Within Ambulatory Operations Improvement, the Ambulatory Transformation & Access Innovation function acts as the central engine for advancing system-wide initiatives that improve patient access and operational performance. The team is responsible for delivering solutions that optimize care delivery and streamline workflows. The Director leads a portfolio of cross-functional programs focused on access and throughput optimization, including scheduling transformation, referral management, digital front door enhancements, and end-to-end workflow redesign. This role is accountable for full lifecycle execution-from opportunity identification and solution design through implementation, adoption, and continuous optimization-ensuring measurable impact on key performance indicators. This position requires deep expertise in electronic health record (EHR) systems, particularly Cerner, with a strong understanding of scheduling, referral management, template design, and clinical workflow integration. The Director leverages this expertise to inform solution development, optimize system capabilities, and ensure seamless integration into existing operational workflows. Operating at the intersection of clinical operations, digital technology, and enterprise strategy, the Director drives alignment across stakeholders, standardizes implementation methodologies, and ensures successful adoption at the frontline. The role emphasizes disciplined program management, robust change management practices, and a strong focus on continuous improvement. Successful candidates bring demonstrated leadership in healthcare operations and transformation, with a proven track record of executing complex, cross-functional initiatives in ambulatory or health system environments. Advanced knowledge of EHR platforms (e.g., Cerner), digital health solutions, and emerging AI capabilities is strongly preferred, along with the ability to translate data into actionable insights that drive sustained performance improvement.

Departmental Specific Summary

Essential Duties

• Accountable for managing a portfolio of strategic initiatives focused on improving ambulatory access, operational efficiency, and patient throughput, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Leads the full lifecycle of programs-from concept and business case development through implementation, adoption, and optimization-ensuring timely and successful delivery.
• Drives measurable improvement in key access metrics, including appointment lag time (LAG), referral conversion rates, new patient volume, and provider template utilization.
• Leverages deep expertise in EHR systems (e.g., Cerner) to optimize scheduling, referral workflows, and clinical operations, ensuring effective integration of new solutions into existing systems.
• Identifies, evaluates, and implements innovative solutions-including AI and digital tools-to enhance access, reduce administrative burden, and improve care delivery efficiency.
• Serves as the central point of coordination across clinical, operational, IT, and vendor stakeholders, driving alignment, decision-making, and accountability
• Develops and implements standardized workflows, tools, and processes to enable scalable deployment of successful initiatives across ambulatory sites.
• Ensures successful adoption of new technologies and workflows through effective change management strategies, including stakeholder engagement, training support, and communication.
• Continuously evaluates implemented initiatives to identify optimization opportunities, ensure sustained performance improvement, and maximize return on investment.
• Must be dependable, have integrity, initiative, tact, ability to work on details, ability to learn and possess a sense of values and ethical standards.
• Leverages the Keck Operating System to drive programs by developing A3, KPIs, visualization, boards, huddles and area of support.
• Participates in administrative staff meetings and attends other meetings as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Required Qualifications:

• Req Bachelor's Degree Degree in a related field.
• Req Master's degree (MHA, MBA) Degree or equivalent degree.
• Req 5 years Experience in healthcare operations, consulting, program management, or digital transformation
• Req 5 years Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives and complex implementations
• Req 5 years Experience with healthcare technologies (e.g., EHR systems such as Cerner or Epic)
• Req Strategic planning and critical thinking skills for problem solving and identification of solutions.
• Req Familiarity with AI, automation, or digital health tools
• Req Knowledge of ambulatory workflows and access management strategies
• Req Proficiency of both theoretical and practical aspects of project management including tools and techniques (formal project planning, risk/issue management, governance, cost/benefit analysis, project change controls, etc.)
• Req Ability to facilitate working sessions with large, cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams.
• Req Experience with healthcare technologies (e.g., EHR systems such as Cerner or Epic)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pref 3 years Understanding of emerging AI capabilities.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
• Pref Project Management Professional (PMP) PMP or Change Management Certificate

USC Care Medical Group serves as the sole physician entity reporting to the USC Health System, uniting faculty clinical practice under Keck Medicine of USC. This entity oversees clinical governance, physician and ambulatory services, and core enterprise functions including billing, contracting, and financial operations. The organization encompasses 17 clinical departments, with approximately 1,500 physicians and 2,000 staff delivering care across more than 80 locations from Kern County to Orange County and into Las Vegas. USC Care Medical Group is the engine for patient-centered growth-advancing quality, safety, access, and financial strength through integrated, system-level thinking that transcends silos and traditional models. By building bridges across the enterprise, embracing innovation, and leveraging technology, we deliver seamless, 5-Star access and service while expanding clinical reach and diversified models of care. Our work fuels a sustainable cycle of good health-organizationally, financially, and within the communities we serve-driving continued growth from within and beyond the system's boundaries.

The annual base salary range for this position is $138,445.00 - $224,434.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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