Healthcare Staffing Report: Nov. 5, 2015

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Hospital C-suites: Tech skills in high demand

Technology deployment and advanced analytical skills are in high demand in hospital C-suites, according to a poll conducted by Black Book Market Research. The survey found that as the healthcare industry implements radically innovative technologies, organizations’ senior-level management teams —outside of the CIO’s office — lack skills in electronic healthcare records and population health deployments, analytics proficiency and technology expertise.

The interim C-level executive staffing recruiters also saw an uptick in the demand for temporary senior managers with technology skills, particularly leadership in EHR deployment, accountable care systems and analytics. The survey found 66% of facilities utilizing short term CEOs, CFOs and CIOs stated they preferred candidates with strong technology experience as they continue permanent searches.

“The power of data and analytics is profoundly changing the healthcare business and clinical landscape, and once again hospitals need more top-management tech muscle,” said Doug Brown, managing partner of Black Book. “It’s evident that without added C-suite horsepower at this crossroads of value-based payment reform, population health and accountable care opportunities, that stoking the forces of advanced technologies and data analytics will be very difficult for most hospitals.”

Executive recruiters were asked to rank, in order of demand, the skills cited as most needed for C-level candidates in 2015 searches. The 10 skills and traits most hospital boards and senior human resources directors indicated overall among all current executive team searches in 2015 are:

  1. Technological and data/systems management
  2. Advanced analytics
  3. Deployment and execution
  4. Strategy/planning/marketing
  5. Finance and reimbursement
  6. Leadership
  7. Relationships/team building
  8. Communications
  9. Change management
  10. Integrity

Healthcare industry experience ranked No. 11 in the survey, falling from the top 10 of most desirable executive traits for the first time since the survey was conducted.

The survey included 784 respondents representing hospital organizations and 731 respondents representing external recruitment agencies.