Senior Director Patient Flow - Hospital Operations Center

Lead a high-visibility, data-driven agenda to optimize patient flow and transfer operations across Stanford Health Care. This strategic role combines deep analytical insight, cross-functional influence, and executive presence to transform patient journeys and drive care delivery efficiencies at a world-class health system.

The ideal applicant for this role would possess the following qualities:

Education: Doctoral degree in nursing (DNP or PhD) or in progress is strongly preferred; MSN with DNP or PhD in nursing is highly preferred.

Leadership & Collaboration: Proven ability to lead, influence, and energize diverse teams; exceptional communication and relationship-building.

Impact: Track record of increasing transfer center volume and optimizing operations/processes to improve patient care.

Tenure: We value dedicated professionals with a track record of lasting roles.

The Senior Director, Patient Flow and Hospital Operations Center is responsible for leading the Hospital Operations Center (HOC) teams and the organization to enhance the patient access, capacity management, and throughput initiatives integrating the strategic and operations plan into operations.,. This role utilizes system level thinking to lead the daily operations of patient flow and coordination across various teams to ensure maximum efficiency of our physical spaces consistent with the volume and in alignment with governing committees' principles and decisions. This director requires strong collaboration skills and an executive presence to lead discussions with other directors, Vice Presidents, and Senior Vice Presidents to solicit collective alignment on daily strategies as well as long term goals.

What you will do:

1. Leadership and Strategic Planning Leads Hospital Operations Team to develop and communicate patient flow strategies. Translates strategic decisions into actionable steps for operations, including rollout, sustainment, and outcome reporting. Develops strategic direction and partners with multidisciplinary teams to enhance compliance with patient status and admission/discharge protocols. Identifies and initiates organizational strategies for enhancing patient flow and ensures cross-team functions are aligned and support the desired outcome through leveraging effective proficiency of other teams workflows and leveraging the interrelatedness of each teams efforts. Leads patient flow governance efforts including developing strategies, enhancing integration between various governance groups, and bringing transparency to the current and future state. Develops and manages communication pathways for patient flow changes, governance decisions, and current initiatives.
2. Operational Management & Performance Manages the Hospital Operations Center and Clinical Inpatient Access Department’s budget, planning, and performance. Creates transparency to patient flow, bed assignment, and placement in collaboration with relevant departments (e.g., Care Coordination, Case Management, etc.). Utilizes data analysis and performance measurement tools (e.g., Midas/Stat, Tableau) to assess and improve departmental performance. Implements policies and procedures related to bed assignment, placement, and nursing staffing. Leads the development of a program that enhances the transfers of patients out of 800P to other locations (internal and external to Stanford Medicine). Facilitates the increased transfers in of high acuity populations requiring care at SHC. Maintains the patient access and capacity management principles promoting clarity and transparency for the organization and stakeholders. Enforcing adherence to principles and governance decisions related to patient access and capacity management.
3. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement Partners with IT, HR, Business Development, Patient Care Services (PCS), and Strategic Service Line Directors to optimize patient flow and integrate systems. Coordinates with Case Management, Patient Care Managers, Directors (all levels), Vice Presidents, and other stakeholders to ensure quality patient care and smooth placement processes. Communicates with hospital leadership and collaborates on departmental goals, compliance, and regulatory requirements. Mentor Directors, Managers and teams to build a collaborative, accountable culture.
4. Quality Improvement and Safety Leads projects with Quality Improvement and Patient Safety to ensure patient flow and care processes are aligned with best practices. Develops and implements processes and strategies to improve patient flow and access across SHC locations, ensuring timely and safe patient placement.
5. Regulatory Compliance and Budget Management Ensures compliance with regulatory bodies (e.g., JCAHO, OSHA, FDA) and ensures policies align with external regulations. Guides the preparation of departmental budgets, reviews capital expense items, and allocates funds effectively. Ensures that all departments meet or exceed external and internal regulatory requirements.
6. Staff Management and Development Manages recruitment, hiring, and performance evaluations for the Clinical Inpatient Access Department. Coordinates staff education initiatives to maintain high performance and compliance with hospital standards. Provides leadership, direction, and policy interpretation to managers, offering advice in handling special human resource matters.
7. Crisis Management & Disaster Response Maintains 24/7 on-call coverage for clinical and patient flow escalations. Serves as a primary responder in SHC internal disasters and hospital command center activations. Acts as a liaison for escalated issues or emergencies related to clinical access, patient transportation and EMTALA requirements.

Education Qualifications:

• - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in a work-related discipline/field from an accredited college or university required.
• - Doctorate degree in related work strongly preferred.
• - Six-sigma or equivalent training preferred.

Experience Qualifications:

• - Ten (10) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience (clinical or patient access/flow) including five (5) years of supervisory experience required
• - Previous director level experience strongly preferred.
• - Experience in a complex matrix environment such as an academic medical center or large integrated health system preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• - Ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels and in situations requiring instructing, persuading, negotiating, conflict resolution, consulting and advising as well as prepare clear, comprehensive written and oral reports and materials
• - Ability to create and maintain a positive, collaborative culture within own team and across other functional areas including multiple disciplines.
• - Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• - Ability to develop long-range business plans and strategies
• - Ability to establish and maintain quality control standards
• - Ability to foster effective working relationships and build consensus
• - Ability to mediate and resolve complex problems and issues
• - Ability to organize, prioritize, multi-task, and adapt to changing priorities
• - Ability to plan, organize, motivate, mentor, direct and evaluate the work of others
• - Ability to provide leadership and influence others
• - Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations
• - Knowledge of accreditation, safety, quality and other regulatory requirements and standards
• - Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area
• - Knowledge of hospital computer systems such as EPIC for electronic patient recordkeeping and Bed Board for scheduling rooms
• - Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting and fiscal management
• - Knowledge of principles and practices of organization, administration, fiscal and personnel management Physical Requirements

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• - Epic Grand Central (Transfer Center, dashboards, reporting, etc.)
• - Epic work queue and billing

Licenses and Certifications:

• - CA-RN (Registered Nurse) required