Associate Director, Operations, HR Diversity & Inclusion

Empower Every New Yorker - Without Exception - to Live the Healthiest Life Possible

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the United States. We provide essential outpatient, inpatient and home-based services to more than one million New Yorkers every year across the city's five boroughs. Our large health system consists of ambulatory centers, acute care centers, post-acute care/long-term care, rehabilitation programs, Home Care, and Correctional Health Services. Our diverse workforce is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Job Description

Purpose of Position: Under the direction of the Director of Language Access and Support Services, the Associate Director of Language Access and Support Services will help lead the Language Access and Support Services (LASS) team within the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI) by providing language assistance services for persons who are limited English proficient (LEP) and persons with a disability under ODEI ensuring that the System meets all local, state, and federal language access regulations and laws. Additionally, the Associate Director of Language Access and Support Services will help grow and maintain support services within ODEI including disability and veteran services. The individual will work collaboratively with the diversity team, contracted vendors, and other key partners to ensure effective communication and improve the delivery of healthcare outcomes for patients across NYC Health + Hospitals.

Summary of Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• The position will report to the HR Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and be responsible for the following duties:
• Act as deputy in oversight of staff workflows and operational activities of the LASS team within ODEI.
• Lead the implementation and continued management of Section 1557 Coordinators at facilities in compliance with Affordable Care Act Section 1557's requirement for Section 1557 Coordinators (92.7).
• Oversee language proficiency assessments and assist in development of System-wide tracker for multilingual staff in compliance with Section 1557 (92.4) and National CLAS Standard (#7).
• Assist in creation of Medicaid Reimbursement plan to ensure the System is documenting and receiving all possible reimbursements.
• Research and support in new vendor Epic integration system for interpretation services and monitor for potential adjustments and updates.
• Oversee the System's Language Access Plans to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements including Section 1557 (92.8).
• Implement and oversee new cost-effective alternative communication methods for limited-English proficient persons and persons with disabilities throughout the Health + Hospitals system.
• Assist in the implementation of new interpretation vendor contracts across the System.
• Collaborate with the LASS team on the creation of RFPs for language vendors as needed.
• Act as a liaison for all language service contracted vendors to address identification of appropriate resources, capacity-building, benchmarks, quality control, contractual issues, problem resolution, etc.
• Manage and expand the System's Medical Interpreter Skills Training program to allow multilingual staff the opportunity to train and become qualified interpreters in accordance with Section 1557 (92.4) and National CLAS Standard (#7).
• Collaborate with the LASS team and other internal stakeholders to create and oversee the Qualified Multilingual Staff Database to ensure qualified staff are able to successfully communicate and/or assist coworkers with interpretation within their roles.
• Partner with vendors, facility staff, and external stakeholders to develop and oversee innovative procedures that cater to the growing demand for the language services resulting from the increase in asylum-seekers across New York City.
• Develop training programs for in-service training and professional development of personnel and patients in compliance with Section 1557 (92.9).
• Research grants to provide financial support to the System in the provision of language access services.
• Create reports, financial statements and records on program activities, progress, status or other special reports for management or outside agencies.
• Research emerging technology including AI for potential communication methods and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in meetings and plan and facilitate seminars, meetings or conferences on topics within the scope of the LASS team.
• Compile, analyze, and report data that can be applied to the development and execution of policies and practices that ensure the System provides timely and effective communication services and follows regulatory requirements.
• Work alongside the LASS team in the expansion of veteran services for staff and patients.
• Create and support new advisory councils for deaf, blind, and limited mobility patients to improve care for patients with disabilities.
• All other tasks and projects, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
1. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Engineering or Social Sciences, Health Care Specialization, Physical Sciences or related discipline and four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative, managerial and/or consultative experience and background; or
2.A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in disciplines, as listed in "1" above, and five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative, managerial and consultative experience and background; or
3.A satisfactory equivalent combination of training, education and/or experience. However, all candidates must have a minimum of a Baccalaureate degree in disciplines, as listed in "1" above.

Department Preferences

• Experience leading a team and ability to work in a complex environment requiring significant collaboration, including bridge-building with different groups and stakeholders.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to think strategically in the design integration and execution of communication programs.
• Vendor management experience.
• Creative thinking with ability to switch gears easily and work on many assignments simultaneously, with specific attention to detail.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Experience with MS Office Suite including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated experience in data collection systems and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality.
• Demonstrated experience in language services or disability advocacy.
• Bilingual is preferred.
• 3 - 5 years of experience

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.

If applying online, please include your cover letter in the same file attachment with your uploaded resume.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs