Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Merit Health River Oaks, located in Flowood, Mississippi, is an acute care facility dedicated to improving care through collaboration.

Our care services include education, preventive and diagnostic care, as well as treatment and recovery, provided by a medical staff of physicians and specialists. Care provided in our medical center, as well as many of our multi-specialty clinics and physician offices, includes advanced imaging, minimally-invasive surgery and rehabilitative services.

Our healthcare team also includes skilled nurses, trained medical professionals and compassionate support staff working together to provide patient-centered care in a professional and personal environment.

Our Care Standards
Continuing on with the vision of our founders, we focus on medical distinction, patient-centered care and customer service. Adhering to and following our mission and vision statements is a requirement of each member of the Merit Health River Oaks team.

Our Mission
The mission of Merit Health River Oaks is to provide quality patient care through a genuine commitment of service to our customers.

Our Vision
We will be the first choice as a health care provider for the patients, physicians and payers and the preferred employer in Central Mississippi.

As part of the CEO Development Program, this position will require relocation within an acceptable timeframe for promotion/transfer.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the hospital's day-to-day activities, including revenue and sales growth; expense, cost, and margin-control; and monthly, quarterly, and annual financial goal management.

 The responsibilities of the COO include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing day to day operations of all departments in the hospital with the exception of Nursing.
• Coordinating facility and program planning budget preparation, administering hospital policy formulation
• Representing the hospital at various professional, civic and governmental organizations and meetings.
• Partnering with physicians who use, or will use, the hospital;  taking a role in the recruiting and retention of physicians
• Working with the Chief Executive Officer to ensure the hospital meets necessary regulatory and compliance approvals and quality accreditations in conjunction with the hospital's Chief Nursing Officer
• Working with the Chief Executive Officer to create an environment that will encourage the recruiting and retention of qualified hospital employees
• Analyzing areas in planning, promoting and conducting organization-wide performance improvement activities
• Assisting in planning of new services that generate additional sources of profitable revenue
• Assisting in managing costs by continually seeking data that will identify opportunities and take action to eliminate non-value costs in conjunction with the hospital's financial and nursing officers
• Participating in the hospital's monthly operation reviews as well as participating in corporate office meetings as deemed necessary

This position reports directly to the CEO and in the absence of the CEO, the COO may be required to interpret hospital policy and provide guidance. 

Education:

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field from an accredited institution
• Master of Healthcare Administration or MBA with Healthcare emphasis required.

 Experience:

• Minimum 4 years recent hospital experience managing multiple departments in acute care facility.
• Experience in physician relations or recruitment required.

Abilities:

• Must be proficient in written and verbal communication skills
• Must have proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, hospital staff and community
• Ability to maintain confidential information concerning personal, financial, or medical matters
• Must have knowledge of technical and professional skills management, general principles of human resource management, labor relations and hospital economics