Duties
The aim of clinical informatics is to improve health care delivery processes and outcomes through effective use of information and knowledge. The person assigned as Chief Health Informatics Officer (CHIO) will use their knowledge of patient care combined with their understanding of the application of technology and informatics concepts to: assess information and knowledge needs of the health care professionals and patients; characterize, evaluate and refine clinical processes; participate in the procurement, customization, implementation, management, evaluation and continuous improvement of clinical information systems; and optimize clinical workflow. As the resident expert in clinical informatics and health IT, the CHIO serves as the primary advisor to Facility Director, Chief of Staff, Associate Director of Patient Care Services, and other key leadership officials. The CHIO is expected to be a strong agent for change and must demonstrate an ability to understand the needs of their counterparts, for examples, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, etc. In addition, the CHIO must demonstrate understanding of the VA organizational structure and the role informatics plays within this structure. Of importance the CHIO will be the lead in understanding and directing the proposed deployment of the VA EHRM modernization proposed for the Hines Facility. An understanding of the principles and experience with integration of clinical and informatics change management is desirable.
