American Rental Association

experience

To be eligible for this position, you MUST have EHR experience. The ideal canidate is someone who has exiperence working for a Non-profit or medical facility.

General Position Description: The Director of Information Technology & Electronic Health Records (IT & EHR) provides strategic, operational, and compliance-focused leadership for all technology systems at Phoenix Counseling Center. This role directly supports the organization’s mission and vision by ensuring that technology solutions enhance access to high-quality, person-centered behavioral health services, promote operational excellence, and uphold Phoenix’s commitment to integrity, accountability, and compassionate care.

The Director is responsible for ensuring that IT infrastructure, hardware assets, cybersecurity, and the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system are secure, reliable, and fully integrated across all programs and service lines. By partnering closely with executive leadership, Quality Assurance, Finance, Human Resources and operational teams, the Director ensures technology systems support regulatory compliance, data-driven decision-making, financial sustainability, and continuous quality improvement. Through thoughtful technology planning and stewardship, this role enables staff to deliver effective services, protects sensitive information, and supports the long-term growth and stability of Phoenix Counseling Center in alignment with its mission, vision, and strategic goals.

Performance Expectations and Competencies

I. Core Responsibilities

1. IT & EHR Strategic Leadership

• Serve as the agency’s senior leader for all IT and EHR strategy, governance, and planning.
• Develop, maintain, and execute a multi-year IT and EHR strategic roadmap aligned with Phoenix’s mission, growth plans, and funding requirements.
• Partner with executive leadership to assess technology needs, risks, and opportunities.
• Translate clinical, operational, and compliance requirements into practical technology solutions.
• Establish IT and EHR governance structures, policies, and decision-making frameworks.

2. Enterprise IT Infrastructure Oversight

• Oversee all enterprise IT infrastructure, including:
• Networks, servers, and cloud-based environments
• End-user devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, phones)
• Remote access systems and VPNs
• Cybersecurity tools, controls, and monitoring
• Ensure business continuity through disaster recovery and data backup planning.
• Lead vendor selection, contract management, and service-level monitoring.
• Coordinate IT support models (internal staff, MSPs, vendors) to ensure timely issue resolution.
• Establish and enforce security standards consistent with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and best practices.

3. Hardware, Equipment, and Asset Management

• Establish and maintain a centralized technology asset management program.
• Oversee tracking of all agency-owned hardware including:
• Laptops, desktops, tablets, and mobile devices
• Monitors, peripherals, and accessories
• Network and infrastructure equipment
• Implement standardized processes for:
• Equipment requisition and approval
• Asset tagging and serial number tracking
• Assignment of equipment to staff at onboarding
• Documentation of equipment custody and responsibility
• Partner with HR during onboarding and offboarding to ensure:
• Equipment is issued appropriately at hire
• All assigned equipment is recovered at separation
• Missing or damaged equipment is escalated and documented
• Conduct periodic audits of IT assets to ensure accuracy, accountability, and loss prevention.
• Coordinate with Finance on capitalization, depreciation, and inventory controls as applicable.

4. EHR Governance and Integration

• Ensure consistent, standardized EHR use across all programs and service lines.
• Lead EHR governance to align workflows across:
• Clinical documentation
• Billing and claims submission
• Quality assurance and utilization management
• Compliance and audit readiness
• Ensure EHR integration with third-party systems (billing, labs, state reporting, HRIS as applicable).
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for EHR configuration decisions.

5. Regulatory Compliance and Documentation Integrity

• Ensure IT systems and EHR workflows support full compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, including behavioral health requirements, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Partner closely with Quality Assurance (QA) to ensure documentation standards, templates, and workflows align with clinical, payer, and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audits by ensuring system configuration, documentation workflows, and reporting accurately reflect services delivered.
• Collaborate with QA on audit preparation, corrective action plans, and continuous quality improvement initiatives related to documentation and system use.
• Monitor regulatory and compliance changes and assess system impacts to proactively mitigate risk.
• Ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect PHI and organizational data while maintaining accessibility for quality review and audits.

6. EHR Selection and Lifecycle Management

• Lead formal EHR needs assessments and requirements gathering.
• Develop and manage EHR vetting tools, scoring matrices, and recommendations.
• Oversee EHR vendor selection, contract negotiation, and implementation planning.
• Manage system upgrades, enhancements, and long-term lifecycle planning.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and system enhancements for future adoption.

7. Project Management and System Implementation

• Lead project management for all IT and EHR initiatives.
• Develop project plans, timelines, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders including clinical, billing, HR, finance, and leadership.
• Ensure system implementations minimize disruption to client services.
• Track milestones and escalate risks proactively.

8. Data, Reporting, and Performance Support

• Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and consistency across all IT and EHR systems.
• Partner with Finance to ensure reporting supports accurate billing, revenue integrity, and financial decision-making.
• Support clean claim initiatives, denial reduction efforts, and payer reporting through optimized system configuration and data validation.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports for leadership, Finance, Quality Assurance, and funders.
• Ensure system-generated data supports financial audits, grant reporting, and budget forecasting.
• Collaborate with Finance during system changes, upgrades, or implementations to assess financial impact and prevent revenue disruption.

9. Staff Training, Adoption, and Change Management

• Develop and oversee role-based IT and EHR training programs.
• Ensure new hires receive appropriate system and hardware training.
• Monitor system adoption and documentation timeliness.
• Partner with leadership to address resistance, training gaps, and workflow challenges.
• Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

10. Supervision and Team Development

• Supervise IT, EHR, and related support staff.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Support professional development, cross-training, and succession planning.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented IT culture.

II. Performance Expectations

• Technology systems are reliable, secure, and available to support uninterrupted service delivery.
• Hardware assets are accurately tracked, secured, and recovered.
• EHR workflows support compliance, audits, and operational efficiency.
• Data is accurate, timely, and actionable for leadership and funders.
• Staff are trained, supported, and confident in technology systems.
• IT and EHR systems scale effectively with organizational growth.

III. Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

• Completion of documented EHR needs assessment and vetting matrix
• Executive approval of selected EHR solution
• On-time and on-budget EHR implementation
• High EHR adoption and documentation timeliness
• Minimal audit findings related to IT, EHR, or documentation
• Improved clean claim rates and reduced denials
• Accurate and timely leadership and funder reporting
• System uptime and successful disaster recovery testing
• Completion of staff training and user satisfaction metrics
• Accurate IT asset inventory with successful equipment recovery at offboarding

General Knowledge, Skill, and Competencies:

· Working knowledge of:

• HIPAA Security & Privacy Rules
• 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality requirements
• Cybersecurity best practices and risk mitigation

· Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

· Experience with asset tracking, hardware inventory controls, and IT governance processes.

· Ability to translate clinical and operational requirements into technology solutions.

· Strong analytical and reporting skills.

· Excellent communication skills with the ability to present to executive leadership.

Preferred and Minimum Position Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Education

· Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Health Information Management, Computer Science, Healthcare Administration, or a related field
(Relevant experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.)

Must have exiperence working for a non-profit or a healthcare facilty.

Experience

· Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in IT leadership, healthcare technology, or EHR system management.

· Minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or management role overseeing IT, EHR, or technical support staff.

· Demonstrated experience managing:

o Enterprise IT infrastructure (networks, cloud systems, devices)

o Electronic Health Record systems in a healthcare or behavioral health setting

o Technology vendor selection and contract oversight

· Experience supporting compliance with HIPAA and healthcare privacy/security regulations.

· Experience leading cross-functional technology implementations or system upgrades.

Preferred Qualifications

Education & Certifications

· Master’s degree in Information Systems, Health Informatics, Business Administration (MBA), or related field.

· Relevant certifications such as:

o Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

o Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

o Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO)

o PMP (Project Management Professional)

o Certified Professional in Healthcare Information & Management Systems (CPHIMS)

o ITIL Certification

Experience

· Experience in behavioral health, mental health, or substance use treatment environments.

· Experience with Medicaid, managed care billing systems, and payer reporting.

· Direct experience leading EHR selection and full system implementation.

· Experience integrating EHR with HRIS, billing, lab systems, and third-party platforms.

· Experience preparing for or supporting:

o CARF accreditation

o State audits

o Payer audits

· Experience partnering with Finance to improve clean claim rates and reduce denials.

· Experience developing executive dashboards and funder reporting tools.

Leadership & Strategic Competencies

· Demonstrated experience building multi-year IT strategic roadmaps.

· Strong change management experience in multi-site organizations.

· Experience leading digital transformation initiatives.

· Ability to scale IT infrastructure to support organizational growth.

· Budget development and oversight experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Do you have EHR experience?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Gastonia, NC 28054