Chief Information Officer

Who We Are:

Established in 1975, Non-Profit Yakima Neighborhood Health Services serves patients in the areas of Behavioral Health, Family Dentistry, Internal Medicine, Women’s Health, Primary Care, Pediatrics, Vision Care and Pharmacy. Our mission is to improve the quality of life and equity in our communities by providing accessible and integrated health and social services, ending homelessness and offering unique learning opportunities for students of health professions.

Position Summary

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic leadership for information technology, cybersecurity, enterprise data management, artificial intelligence governance, digital transformation, and health information systems throughout Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (YNHS). The CIO ensures that technology investments support organizational goals, improve patient outcomes, enhance workforce effectiveness, and strengthen operational excellence.

The CIO leads the planning, implementation, optimization, security, and governance of technology systems, including electronic health records, analytics platforms, cybersecurity programs, telecommunications, cloud services, digital health solutions, and emerging technologies. This position partners closely with clinical, operational, financial, and compliance leaders to ensure technology supports YNHS's mission and strategic priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Health Informatics, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Seven (7) years of progressive technology leadership experience, with at least three (3) years in an executive or senior leadership role.
• Experience leading healthcare technology operations, preferably within a  community health center, integrated healthcare organization, or complex healthcare environment.
• Demonstrated experience with EHR implementation, optimization, and governance.
• Experience managing cybersecurity, enterprise systems, cloud technologies, data governance, and strategic technology initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, project management, and change management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Epic.
• Experience in community health centers and HRSA-funded organizations.
• Knowledge of UDS reporting, value-based care initiatives, HCC coding, quality reporting, and population health management.
• Experience with Power BI, enterprise analytics, and data warehouse strategies.
• Experience developing AI governance programs and technology policies.
• Relevant certifications such as CHCIO, CHIME, CISSP, CISM, PMP, CDH-E, or other healthcare IT certifications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement an enterprise technology strategy aligned with YNHS's strategic plan.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team regarding technology, cybersecurity, data governance, and innovation.
• Lead technology-related strategic initiatives, organizational change efforts, and digital transformation programs.
• Present technology strategies, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership as needed.

Information Systems and Infrastructure

• Direct the planning, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of all information systems and technology infrastructure.
• Ensure reliable and secure operation of networks, telecommunications, cloud services, hardware, software, and end-user technologies.
• Oversee managed service providers and technology vendors to ensure service quality, performance, and accountability.
• Establish technology standards and system lifecycle management processes.

Electronic Health Records and Clinical Systems

• Provide executive oversight of Epic and other clinical technology platforms.
• Partner with clinical leadership to optimize workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance patient outcomes.
• Ensure interoperability among EHR, revenue cycle, population health, dental, behavioral health, and community-based systems.
• Support telehealth, patient engagement technologies, and other digital health initiatives.

Data Governance and Analytics

• Lead enterprise data governance efforts to promote data integrity, security, accessibility, and accountability.
• Oversee organizational analytics, business intelligence, dashboards, and reporting solutions.
• Support population health initiatives, value-based care programs, quality improvement, and strategic decision-making through data.
• Ensure compliance with UDS, HRSA, state, federal, payer, and grant reporting requirements.

Cybersecurity and Risk Management

• Direct the organization's cybersecurity strategy and information security program.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, 42 CFR Part 2, and other applicable regulations.
• Oversee security monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, access controls, business continuity, and disaster recovery planning.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies for technology-related threats.

Artificial Intelligence and Innovation

• Chair the AI Governance Committee, to oversee organizational governance of artificial intelligence technologies, recommending policies, and risk management processes for AI applications.
• Promote responsible, ethical, and secure use of AI and automation technologies.

Financial and Vendor Management

• Oversee software licensing, hardware procurement, and technology investments.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with technology vendors and consultants.
• Monitor vendor performance and service-level agreements.

Leadership and Workforce Development

• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing technology team.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Provide technology education and leadership support across the organization.
• Promote adoption of new technologies through effective change management and training.