System Director Emergency Medical Services and Community Partnerships

POSITION SUMMARY 

The System Director, Emergency Medical Services and Community Partnerships serves as the enterprise executive responsible for strategic alignment, integration, and performance oversight between the health system and external emergency response partners. The System Director, Emergency Medical Services and Community Partnerships provides coordinated enterprise leadership for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), fire rescue, law enforcement, emergency management agencies, public health, and regional/state preparedness organizations to ensure seamless emergency response, patient flow, disaster readiness, and community resilience for the Health First Integrated Delivery Network (IDN). 

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES  

1. Develops and executes an enterprise-wide Emergency Services and Community Response strategy aligned with organizational mission, quality, safety, access and regulatory requirements.  
2. Serves as the executive liaison to EMS agencies, fire rescue, law enforcement, emergency management, public health departments, and regional healthcare coalitions. 
3. Builds and sustains trusted, collaborative relationships with EMS leadership, medical directors, fire rescue, and municipal partners. 
4. Ensures EMS partners align with the hospital’s strategic goals, mission, and community health priorities. 
5. Leads and represents the organization in regional emergency care forums; strengthen transfer networks and escalation pathways to support appropriate patient placement and continuity of care. 
6. Ensures mutually effective communication and operational agreements with EMS partners (e.g., destination protocols, diversion policy alignment, surge/disaster coordination). 
7. Establishes and maintains regular communication forums with EMS partners (e.g.; leadership meetings, councils, or advisory groups). 
8. Serves as an executive escalation point for high-risk or sensitive EMS-related concerns. 
9. Collaborates with internal stakeholders for EMS to promote a culture of mutual respect, safety, and continuous improvement between EMS and hospital staff.  
10. Exhibits an executive presence and influence across organizations without direct authority, fostering trust, accountability, and shared outcomes among community partners. 

LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITIES 

1. Define and communicate a clear, compelling vision for the team that effectively ties into the mission and vision of Health First and inspire the team to achieve that vision. 
2. Provide leadership, motivation, coaching, feedback and support to foster and strengthen growth and development of an effective, high performing team. 
3. Lead change through effective communication, explaining the connection and value to the organization, creating stronger buy-in and urgency, while understanding impact to the team to obtain commitment. 
4. Demonstrate openness to hearing diverse ideas and thoughts; create a sense of inclusivity; and encourage collaboration across teams to help break down silos to meet the team’s and organization’s goals.  
5. Recruit, select, grow, and retain highly engaged, high performing diverse and inclusive associates. 
6. Display strong strategic and financial acumen in areas of responsibility in alignment with the organization's strategic objectives. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Nursing (BSN), Emergency Management, Public Health, Public Safety, or a relevant field. 
• Work Experience: Ten (10) years’ progressive leadership experience in healthcare operations, emergency services, emergency management, or public safety. 
• Licensure: None 
• Certification: None 
• Skills/Knowledge/Abilities: 

1. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and electronic health record systems. 
2. Ability to exercise excellent judgment in difficult situations.  
3. Ability to immediately assess potential liable situations and react appropriately. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• Education: Master’s degree in Healthcare or Business Administration (MHA/MBA), Nursing (MSN), or a relevant field. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Majority of time involves sitting or standing; occasional walking, bending, and stooping.  
• Long periods of computer time or at workstation. 
• Light work that may include lifting or moving objects up to 20 pounds with or without assistance. 
• May be exposed to inside environments with varied temperatures, air quality, lighting and/or low to moderate noise.  
• Communicating with others to exchange information. 
• Visual acuity and hand-eye coordination to perform tasks. 
• Workspace may vary from open to confined. 
• May require travel to various facilities within and beyond county perimeter; may require use of personal vehicle. 

ABOUT HEALTH FIRST

At Health First, diversity and inclusion are essential for our continued growth and evolution. Working together, we strive to build and nurture a culture that recognizes, encourages, and respects the diverse voices of our associates. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more collaborative work environment that delivers better results. As an organization, it fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our associates, customers, and the communities we serve.