The Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor serves as a key resource for driving the implementation of a Lean-based management system across the enterprise. As an ambassador of continuous improvement, the Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor will disseminate elements of the evolving UCSF Health management system, including coaching and teaching Lean principles, tools, and Lean leader behaviors aimed at engaging executives, senior leaders, and staff across all disciplines in the improvement effort. Where appropriate, the Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor will support improvement activities that transcend quality, clinical and operational dimensions to support the achievement of the organizational True North goals and along value streams of strategic importance to the organization. In concert with project sponsors, the Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor will assess and identify problems and opportunities, coordinate the activities of the improvement team, identify appropriate resources needed, and develop a schedule to ensure the timely completion of improvement projects. The incumbent will support and facilitate the deployment of the Lean management system, value stream mapping and improvement, Unit Based Leadership Teams, leader coaching, and A3 Thinking to align and enable employees and faculty to make improvements to achieve True North goals. The Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor has development and oversight responsibilities for Interns, Fellows, and Continuous Improvement Advisors.
The Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor may also serve as a key resource for supporting the implementation of Clinical Pathways based on a Lean-based management system across the enterprise. The Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor is responsible for assembling resources, executing, and monitoring to achieve the goals of an assigned Clinical Pathway program, using basic Lean knowledge and skills, and clinical experience to help develop a clear understanding of key processes, business issues, and operational challenges facing the organization as a whole, as well as individual departments within value streams. The Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor has the responsibility for driving a UCSF Health Strategic Clinical Pathway program to achieve a savings target exceeding $1 million.
The Senior Continuous Improvement Advisor may also coordinate and oversee the participation of resources from UCSF campus entities such as the Clinical Innovation Center (CIC), where relevant (project management support, design, product development). These resources will be added with the approval of the Chief Innovation Officer, CIC Director, and CI Director.
The UCSF Health Continuous Improvement Department (CI) supports and facilitates the transformation of UCSF Health into a Lean enterprise. The CI partners with administrative, operational, and clinical leaders across UCSF to solve strategic organizational problems, reinforce a culture of continuous process improvement, and innovate care delivery. This is achieved through developing our people to be fully competent in Lean principles, behaviors, and tools that enable frontline problem solving to optimize quality, value, and service delivery. The CI is an internal organizational resource and serves a role in developing emerging and established leaders to support their career pathways.
Required Qualifications
Lean expertise in healthcare or other relevant settings is highly preferred. Understanding of healthcare industry & terminology.
Knowledge of and experience successfully training and implementing Lean tools and concepts, such as:
Structured problem-solving approaches such as A3 thinking
A3 Clinics
Kaizen Events
Value Stream Mapping
Lean technical concepts such as 5S, quality, Flow, and visual systems.
More advanced lean technical concepts such as Level loading, Pull, Mistake-Proofing, and Rapid Changeover
Ability to interpret data relative to operational and financial performance across the enterprise.
Previous healthcare management experience in a hospital or ambulatory setting with an understanding of important health policy trends.
Demonstrated skills in consulting, group process facilitation, whole system design, negotiation, change management & conflict resolution and supporting change within large, complex environments
Strong communication skills (verbal, written, and listening) with the ability to interact effectively across the organization, especially in situations requiring instructing, persuading, negotiating, resolving conflict, consulting, and advising. Must be comfortable speaking in public and to various audiences. Outstanding customer service orientation.
Skilled in teaching improvement concepts and principles to diverse audiences from senior management to frontline staff.
A demonstrated track record of successfully working with and motivating diverse work teams, preferably including physicians
Excellent project management skills including project time, and scope.
Able to read & interpret data; translates data into meaningful information and uses data to shape work at both the department and enterprise level; possesses strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Able to perform complex tasks, prioritize multiple projects, and work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to thrive in ambiguous environments and effectively manage multiple priorities simultaneously, adapting approach as needed to ensure success.
Demonstrates strong analytical, problem-solving, project planning, and implementation skills.
Possesses strong consulting, relationship building, and strategic thinking skills.
Applies strong verbal, written communication, and presentation skills.
Demonstrates skill consulting to managers and groups at all levels.
Demonstrates ability to learn quickly, reason, synthesize and generalize based on information obtained.
Sound judgment, ability to draw unbiased conclusions.
Ability to focus on priorities, strategies, and vision.
Ability to coach, facilitate and influence people at all levels.
Bachelor’s degree
Five years of experience in a health care setting or a lean role or a combination.
One or more years of experience in a dedicated Lean role managing team either on improvement projects or in operations or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree or combination of education and experience in Healthcare/Healthcare Administration
Clinical degree (Nursing or other)
License/Certification
Lean certification or equivalent (required)
Project management (preferred)
About UCSF At UCSF Health, our mission of innovative patient care, advanced technology and pioneering research is redefining what’s possible for the patients we serve – a promise we share with the professionals who make up our team.
Consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals nationwide by U.S. News & World Report – UCSF Health is committed to providing the most rewarding work experience while delivering the best care available anywhere. In an environment that allows for continuous learning and opportunities for professional growth, UCSF Health offers the ideal atmosphere in which to best use your skills and talents.
Pride Values UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
