Process Improvement Specialist

Process Improvement Specialist

Ardent Health is a leading provider of healthcare in communities across the country. With a focus on consumer-friendly processes and investments in innovative services and technologies, Ardent is passionate about making healthcare better and easier to access. We are driven by our purpose of caring for people: our patients, our communities and one another.

Located in Brentwood, Tennessee, Ardent has earned a reputation as one of the industry's strongest and most innovative healthcare systems. Our facilities and clinics are consistently recognized among healthcare's best employers. We recognize each hospital and clinic is as unique as the community it serves. We strive to maintain strong community ties through advisory boards, contributions, charitable care, education and outreach. Ardent includes:

• 30 hospitals
• 280 sites of care
• 4,281 beds
• 24,000+ team members
• 8,200+ nurses
• 1,800+ aligned providers
• 5.8M annual provider encounters
• 421 medical residents

Ardent makes considerable investments in people, technology, facilities, and communities, producing high quality care and extraordinary results. From newly constructed facilities and expanded services, to lifesaving technology and outstanding opportunities for employees, Ardent is committed to providing its hospitals and clinics the tools needed to succeed. We believe it is this mix of corporate support and local autonomy that equips our teams for success.

Job Overview: The Process Improvement Specialist leads process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, quality, and compliance across the organization. Working closely with cross-functional teams, the role supports scalable solutions, drives innovation through Lean Six Sigma practices, and ensures consistent documentation and performance standards.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze, develop, and optimize service processes to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Implement Lean Six Sigma methodologies to identify and eliminate waste and variability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Clinical Quality, Ambulatory, IT, EPMO, etc.
• Support new team and organizational designs by developing scalable, compliant, and cost-effective processes.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, SOPs, and validation protocols in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Drive the implementation of process controls, automated solutions, and performance metrics.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies or equipment as needed to enhance productivity.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reflect newly implemented processes and ensure consistent operational excellence.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Health Administration, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience as a process engineer in the healthcare sector (medical devices, pharma, biotech, or healthcare services).
• Strong knowledge of regulatory standards.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Six Sigma.
• Demonstrated success in process improvement projects with measurable impact.
• Strong data analysis and dashboarding skills (Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Excellent communication, documentation, and project management skills.
• Lean Six Sigma certification required within one year of hire.