With a brand-new, state-of-the-art emergency department at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Wellstar Health System is seeking an AVP Operations, Emergency Services to lead emergency services and the Clinical Decision Unit (CDU). Opened in July of 2022, this 263,000 sq. ft. medical facility with 166 beds is one of the largest and busiest EDs in the country. The ED can now treat more than 600 patients daily with up to 220,000 patient visits per year. Located just north of metro Atlanta and with over 600 beds and an ACS recognized Level II trauma designation, Wellstar Kennestone Hospital is the flagship hospital for the health system and delivers quality and compassionate care to every patient, every time. The hospital is one of four Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Centers in Georgia and is the only Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Cardiac Center in the state and seventh in the nation.
Among the awards and distinctions bestowed to Kennestone were the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer, a first for Wellstar; the Stroke Gold Plus award from the American Heart and American Stroke Associations; the very coveted Georgia Oglethorpe award; and several disease specific re-designations through The Joint Commission.
The AVP will be responsible for day-to-day operations of one of the largest emergency facilities in the country with current annual visit volume within the top ten EDs and expected and anticipated growth to manage up to 220,000 visits in the future. With responsibility for operating revenue of over $450M and 400+ FTEs with the potential to increase to over 600 with the anticipated volume increase, the AVP is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating initiatives around operational efficiencies, patient experience and staff engagement.
In addition, this leader will partner with Wellstar Service Line leaders to grow current care provision service strategies and/or plan, implement, and evaluate new ones. The AVP is expected to create and maintain strong relationships with team members, physicians, and peers across the system and community in and around the surrounding service market. The incoming AVP will have a track record of developing key community partnerships with regional EMS providers, regional hospital trauma services providers, contracted physician service providers, and local law enforcement agencies.
With over 24,000 healthcare professionals, Wellstar’s state-of-the-art facilities include 9 hospitals, 300+ medical office locations, 9 cancer centers, 8 emergency departments, 80+ rehabilitation centers, 4 senior living centers, 3 hospice facilities, 21 imaging centers, 18 urgent care locations, and 5 health parks.
Ideal Qualifications for this position include the following:
- BSN and Masters’ degree in nursing or related field required.
- Ten+ years of experience in progressive Emergency Services leadership roles within a complex ED setting.
- Budgeting, financial management, patient experience management, clinical service management, capacity and throughput management experience required.
- Process improvement-focused, including having an understanding of Lean methodologies, with a proven track record of optimizing emergency department throughput, delivering an exceptional patient experience, and engaging and building trust with staff.
- Successful track record of leading an organization to achieve high levels of patient safety and quality.
- Highly developed leadership and interpersonal skills combined with superb communication skills.
- Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Georgia or hold a privilege to practice in the State of Georgia under the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
Wellstar has retained the Diversified Search Group to assist in this recruitment. For referrals or to submit a resume, please contact WellstarKennestone@divsearch.com. All expressions of interest are confidential.