Director of Physical & Digital Infrastructure

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.

Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.

The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.

Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for youth in care, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County

Job Description

SUMMARY: The Director of Physical and Digital Infrastructure provides strategic leadership and operational 
oversight for the hospital's Information Technology, Plant Operations, and Security department. Reporting to the Chief Operating & Information Officer, this position directly supervises the Manager of Information Technology, Manager of Plant Operations, and Manager of Security.The Director develops and implements enterprise strategies for technology, cybersecurity, facilities, physical security, environmental safety, and emergency preparedness. This role ensures reliable operations, regulatory compliance, business continuity, and a safe, secure environment that supports high-quality patient care and the hospital's strategic objectives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Information Technology Leadership
• Develop and execute the hospital's information technology strategy.
• Oversee all IT operations, including networks, servers, telecommunications, cloud services, and end-user 
support.
• Ensure high availability and performance of critical clinical and business systems, including Electronic 
Health Records (EHR).
• Lead technology planning, budgeting, procurement, and vendor management.
• Manage IT projects, system upgrades, and technology implementations.
• Establish and maintain IT governance, policies, and standards.
• Provide leadership for disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
• Direct the hospital's cybersecurity and information security programs.
• Develop policies and controls to protect patient information and organizational data.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, Joint Commission standards, and applicable regulatory 
requirements.
• Conduct risk assessments, vulnerability management, and incident response activities.
• Monitor security threats and coordinate response efforts.
• Lead security awareness and training initiatives for staff.
• Oversee cybersecurity technologies, including firewalls, endpoint protection, identity management, and 
security monitoring solutions.

Plant Operations 
• Ensures compliance with safety, infection control, hazardous materials, and emergency management 
requirements, including fire and disaster preparedness drills.
• Trains and monitors staff to ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and departmental standards.
• Maintains all buildings, grounds, utilities, and facility systems to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Develops, manages, and monitors preventive maintenance programs for facility and medical equipment.
• Performs inspections, assessments, and annual Environment of Care/Life Safety evaluations; identifies 
and addresses improvement needs.
• Oversees medical equipment maintenance, minor repairs, vendor service coordination, and compliance 
requirements.
• Plans and manages capital projects, renovations, equipment purchases, repairs, and construction budgets.
• Procures supplies and services, oversees contractors, and reviews vendor invoices for accuracy.
• Develops and maintains policies, procedures, and strategic plans to ensure regulatory and accreditation 
compliance.
• Serves on Safety, Emergency Management, Infection Control, Water Management, and other assigned 
committees.
• Promotes effective communication and collaboration across departments.

Security 
• Oversees physical security policies, procedures, systems, and surveillance operations.
• Leads Environment of Care, Life Safety, and Security Management programs to ensure compliance with 
regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Collaborates with leadership to develop, implement, and maintain emergency preparedness and disaster 
response plans.
• Ensures organizational readiness for emergencies, including natural disasters, utility failures, 
cybersecurity incidents, and mass casualty events.
• Coordinates with local emergency management agencies, law enforcement, and regulatory authorities.
• Reviews, investigates, and documents security incidents; coordinates appropriate follow-up with 
department leaders and Human Resources.
• Evaluates, maintains, and upgrades security systems and technology as needed.
• Maintains the Hospital's Security Management Program in compliance with Joint Commission standards.

Leadership & Financial Management
• Develop departmental goals, KPIs, and performance metrics.
• Prepare and manage operating and capital budgets.
• Hire, coach, and evaluate IT, plant operations, and security personnel.
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and safety.
• Present strategic recommendations and operational updates to executive leadership.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with vendors and service providers.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, 
Information Systems, or a related field 
required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Related Work Experience:
• 7-10 years of progressive leadership 
experience in healthcare IT, facilities 
management, security, or hospital 
operations.
• Minimum 5 years of management 
experience overseeing multiple 
departments.
• Experience in a hospital or healthcare 
environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing 
regulatory compliance and accreditation 
requirements.

Licensure/Certification:
• CISSP (Certified Information Systems 
Security Professional) preferred
• CHCIO (Certified Healthcare CIO) preferred
• PMP (Project Management Professional)
preferred
• CHFM (Certified Healthcare Facilities 
Manager) preferred
• CHSP (Certified Healthcare Safety 
Professional) preferred
• ITIL Foundation or higher preferred

Specialist Knowledge & Skills:
• Strong knowledge of healthcare 
technology systems and cybersecurity.
• Knowledge of hospital facility operations, 
engineering systems, and life safety 
requirements.
• Understanding of HIPAA, Joint 
Commission, CMS, OSHA, NFPA, and 
other healthcare regulations.
• Strategic planning and organizational 
leadership skills.
• Budgeting and financial management 
expertise.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder 
management abilities.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and 
decision-making skills.
• Ability to function effectively during 
emergencies and critical incidents

Additional Information

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.