At Houston Methodist, the Solution Architect position is responsible for the implementation, maintenance and management of Information Technology (IT systems). The Solution Architect is expected to work closely with project teams and Enterprise Architects to ensure that the overall Information Technology (IT) architecture is maintained, and that seamless operational hand-off is achieved. The primary role of the Solution Architect is to ensure that the respective application, data and technology function within acceptable parameters in support of business functions. The Solution Architect will provide technical leadership and consultation across the organization in assigned area(s).

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as advisor to teammates and IT leadership on information integration strategies including the resolution of system issues.

• Communicates the architecture to the stakeholders and collaborates and coordinates with enterprise architects in the formalization and adoption of IT standards and procedures.

• Makes recommendations to IT leadership and influences changes to architectural standards as needed.

• Serves as a role model and mentors peers as needed. Recommends opportunities for improvement of department score for turnover/retention/employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs the identification and recommendation of appropriate solutions, upgrades, replacements, or decommissioning options incorporating business and technology productivity, usability, and total cost of ownership.

• Maintains service operations during service delivery with regards to customer communication and proactive troubleshooting.

• Identifies and address day-to -day continuous improvement and monitoring activities.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and executes solutions which further reduce the percentage of time spent on reactive work.

• Develops, documents, communicates, and enforces technology standards policies.

• In partnership with IT Leadership and Enterprise Architecture team establishes an IT Architecture practice, and the adoption of an architecture and standards methodology.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops, documents, make recommendations, and communicate plans for investing in IT infrastructure, including analysis of cost reduction opportunities.

• Creates business cases to make recommendations regarding build versus buy strategies for updates and changes to the development of infrastructure, applications and programs.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains in-depth knowledge of company's strategic business plans.

• Conducts research on emerging technologies in support of infrastructure development efforts and recommends technologies that will increase cost effectiveness and infrastructure flexibility.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-developmental needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree required. In lieu of bachelor's degree, an additional four years' experience in addition to the minimum experience required below

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Seven years IT experience to include five years in a senior level engineer, analyst or consultant role

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• At least one high level industry certification such as:
•    • Cisco Certified Architect (CCA),
•    • Cisco Certified Engineer (CCIE),
•    • Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA),
•    • Project Management Professional (PMP
•    • ServiceNow Developer, ServiceNow Implementation Specialist, or ITIL v3 or v4 Foundation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Hands-on extensive expert level knowledge of hardware and/or software in assigned domain

• Knowledge of infrastructure design and maintenance practices.

• Strong understanding of information processing principles and practices.

• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.

• Exceptional analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving abilities.

• Exceptional understanding of the Houston Methodist goals and objectives.

• Ability to manage competing demands, accept constructive feedback, while being extremely adaptable and flexible and maintain a positive work style.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.