In recent years, the role of CIO has transformed from mainly an IT leader to the member of the executive team who spearheads the use of technology and other tools to meet the organization's goals.
When hospitals and health systems begin a search for a new executive to fill this increasingly important role, they're looking for the following four characteristics, according to Rich Miller, senior vice president for IT & talent strategies at executive search firm B.E. Smith:
1. Communication skills. Healthcare organizations are looking for CIOs who can communicate well, both in writing and verbally. "CIOs drive change," says Mr. Miller. "And the key to change management, in our opinion and the opinion of our clients, is communication skills.
2. Ability to attract and retain talent. Qualified health IT staffers are hard to find. About one-third of healthcare provider organizations have placed a major IT project on hold due to a lack of qualified IT workers on staff, according to a recent HIMSS survey. This means a top priority for hospitals and health systems is finding a CIO who can find and keep good IT employees, says Mr. Miller.
3. Courage. As CIOs' jobs become more demanding and complex, executives in this position need to be able to tackle new challenges without fear. "Our clients are looking for CIOs with the courage to make the hard decisions that come with the job, and to be willing to drive initiatives and take on assignments outside of IT," says Mr. Miller.
4. Interest in learning clinical processes. "We hear our clients repeatedly talk about [wanting] CIOs who are really, genuinely interested in learning about clinical processes from clinicians, especially from physicians," says Mr. Miller. These organizations are looking for CIOs who want to really know the clinical side of the business to design and implement IT systems that best support clinicians' efforts. This also means hospitals and health systems are looking for candidates able to communicate with and gain the trust of physicians, according to Mr. Miller.
Mr. Miller believes these traits will continue to be among the most important for hospitals and health systems throughout the coming years. The ability to communicate, find and keep good employees, the courage to tackle challenges and a genuine willingness to learn about the clinical process is all critical to a CIOs' ability to drive change. "And the need to be able to drive change will not go away," says Mr. Miller. "It's a cornerstone."
More Articles on CIOs:
CIOs From Adventist Health and Spectrum Health Share IT Cost Management Strategies
The Modern CIO: 2 Prominent CIOs Share Observations, Advice
The Life of a Healthcare CIO: Legacy Health's Dr. John Kenagy