Improvement Specialist

MyMichigan Health; Midland (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MyMichigan Health seeks a System Improvement Specialist to partner with clinical, operational, and technical teams to identify opportunities to improve how work is performed. The role uses Lean, Six Sigma, AI, and data analytics to map workflows, remove inefficiencies, and measure impact.

The Specialist leads improvement initiatives with stakeholders to understand current-state processes, define opportunities, develop future-state workflows, and establish measures of success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, A3).
• Ability to analyze workflows and identify opportunities to improve quality and efficiency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Partner with clinical, operational, and technical stakeholders to map current workflows and identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, A3, and process mapping to redesign workflows and improve outcomes.
• Support evaluation and optimization of informatics, AI, automation, and other tech-enabled solutions.
• Develop measurement plans with KPIs, ROI, ROE, adoption metrics, and business case input.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement, education, and change management to sustain improvements.
• Promote data-driven decision making and share lessons learned across the organization.

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

A3

Process mapping

Data analysis

Workflow analysis

Simulation

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Word

Visio

JMP

Job description

Summary

The System Improvement Specialist partners with clinical, operational, and technical teams to identify opportunities to improve how work is performed across the organization. The role uses process improvement, informatics, analytics, technology, and structured problem-solving methods to understand current workflows, identify barriers and opportunities, design solutions, and measure results.

The System Improvement Specialist leads and supports improvement initiatives using methods such as Lean, Six Sigma, A3, process mapping, workflow analysis, data analysis, simulation, and other structured improvement approaches. The Specialist works with stakeholders to understand current-state processes, identify sources of burden and inefficiency, define improvement opportunities, develop future-state workflows, and establish measures of success.

The role also supports the evaluation, implementation, and optimization of informatics, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other technology-enabled solutions. The Specialist helps determine when technology is an appropriate solution to an identified need and works with clinical, operational, and technical partners to evaluate workflow impact, organizational readiness, expected value, adoption, and outcomes.

The System Improvement Specialist develops measurement plans and evaluates the impact of improvement initiatives, including operational, clinical, financial, workforce, and user experience outcomes. The role supports the development of business cases, key performance indicators, return on investment (ROI), return on effort (ROE), adoption measures, and other measures of organizational value.

Through facilitation, education, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge sharing, the System Improvement Specialist helps teams implement and sustain improvements, capture lessons learned, and apply successful approaches across the organization.

Responsibilities

• (25%)*�Partner with clinical, operational, and technical stakeholders to understand how work is currently performed and identify opportunities for improvement. Conduct observations, interviews, workflow assessments, process mapping, data analysis, and other forms of current-state assessment to identify inefficiencies, delays, unnecessary burden, variation, risks, and opportunities to improve performance. Clearly define problems and opportunities before solutions are selected.
• (20%)*Lead process improvement and workflow redesign initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, A3, process mapping, root cause analysis, and other structured improvement methodologies. Facilitate the development of improved workflows and processes that enhance quality, efficiency, patient and employee experience, financial performance, and organizational value. Use advanced analytical methods, including process mining and simulation when appropriate, to better understand complex workflows and evaluate potential changes.
• (20%) Support the evaluation, implementation, and optimization of informatics, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other technology-enabled solutions. Partner with clinical, operational, informatics, and technical stakeholders to determine whether technology appropriately addresses an identified need; evaluate workflow impacts, risks, benefits, and organizational readiness; and support integration of solutions into clinical and operational workflows. Monitor implemented solutions to identify opportunities for continued optimization and improved value.
• (15%)*�Develop measurement plans and evaluate the impact of improvement and technology-enabled initiatives. Establish baseline performance, key performance indicators (KPIs), adoption measures, operational and clinical outcomes, financial impacts, return on investment (ROI), return on effort (ROE), user experience measures, and other indicators of organizational value. Support business case development, pilot evaluation, and comparison of expected and realized benefits to inform implementation, expansion, optimization, or discontinuation decisions.
• (10%)*�Facilitate stakeholder engagement, implementation, adoption, and change associated with improvement initiatives and technology-enabled solutions. Bring together appropriate clinical, operational, informatics, and technical partners; facilitate collaborative problem-solving and decision-making; identify barriers to adoption; support education and communication; and help teams transition improvements into sustainable operational practice.
• (10%)*�Promote continuous improvement, responsible use of AI and technology, and data-driven decision-making across the organization. Capture lessons learned and successful practices from improvement initiatives, share knowledge across teams, support communities of practice and other learning activities, and identify opportunities to apply successful approaches in other areas of the organization.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Possess knowledge and demonstrate use of business consulting, informatics, analytics and business intelligence, process improvement, management engineering, and operations research methodologies and tools. Perform business case, feasibility, and value analysis, including evaluation of costs, benefits, risks, operational impacts, and expected outcomes associated with proposed improvements, technology, or projects. Recommend alternative solutions and identify strategic and operational implications.

Certifications and Licensures

N/A

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field (Health Care, Industrial & Operational Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, or Quantitative Analytics discipline). Master's Degree preferred.

Master's Degree preferred.

Other Information

Relevant process improvement, project management, and/or innovation certification preferred (e.g. Six Sigma Green Belt, PMP, etc).

Experience in project management and change management.

Able to work in both clinic and hospital environment.

Proficient knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite.

Ability to watch patient care activities.

Knowledge and experience related to the following computer systems and software are preferred, including: Excel, Word, Visio, JMP, and others.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions

Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death.

Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.

Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description.

Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).

Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.

Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.

Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.

Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.

Physical Demand Level: Light. Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 11-20 lbs., frequently (34-66% of the workday) 10 lbs. and or Walk/Stand/Push/Pull of Arm/Leg controls.