Head of IT Clinical Applications

The Aspen Group (TAG) is one of the largest and most trusted retail healthcare business support organizations in the U.S., supporting 15,000 healthcare professionals and team members at more than 1,000 health and wellness offices across 46 states in four distinct categories: Dental Care, Urgent Care, Pet Care, and Medical Aesthetics. Working in partnership with independent practice owners and clinicians, the team is united by a single purpose: to prove that healthcare can be better and smarter for everyone. TAG provides a comprehensive suite of centralized business support services that power the impact of four consumer-facing businesses: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, Lovet Veterinary Clinics and Chapter Aesthetic Studio. Each brand has access to a deep community of experts, tools and resources to grow their practices, and an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality consumer healthcare experiences at scale.

Position Summary: 

The Head of IT Clinical Applications is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and optimization of both clinical applications and supporting platforms used throughout The Aspen Group’s portfolio of brands. This role involves managing teams responsible for the deployment and support of electronic health records (EHR), clinical information systems (CIS), and other digital tools that support clinical operations. The leader serves as the primary liaison between Clinical staff, Operations, Product and other IT teams to ensure that technology solutions align with organizational goals, improve patient care, and enhance operational efficiency. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision 

• Develop and lead the clinical applications strategy in alignment with the organization's overall IT, clinical, and business goals. 
• Collaborate with executive leadership to identify technological solutions that address clinical challenges and enhance care quality. 
• Keep abreast of trends, best practices, and regulations in clinical informatics and healthcare technology. 

2. Project Management & Implementation 

• Oversee the selection, implementation, and optimization of clinical applications (including EHR, PACS, LIS) and key supporting corporate systems. 
• Lead cross-functional teams in deploying new systems, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and minimal disruption to clinical and business operations. 
• Ensure that clinical applications are compliant with regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, CMS, Joint Commission) and other relevant data security policies.

3. Clinical & Technical Liaison 

• Act as a bridge between clinicians and IT professionals, translating clinical needs into technical specifications. 
• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure that applications meet their workflow requirements and enhance patient care or business processes. 
• Collaborate with external vendors to resolve technical issues and ensure the systems perform at optimal levels. 

4. Team Leadership & Development 

• Manage and mentor a team of clinical application analysts, project managers, and other relevant staff. 
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration within the department. 
• Evaluate team performance, identify skill gaps, and create professional development plans to address needs. 

5. System Maintenance & Optimization 

• Oversee the ongoing maintenance, support, and optimization of clinical and assigned corporate applications. 
• Monitor system performance and lead efforts to improve usability, reduce downtime, and enhance system integration across departments. 
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans for clinical systems. 

6. Data Analytics & Reporting 

• Lead initiatives to utilize data from applications for quality improvement, operational efficiency, and clinical decision-making. 
• Ensure accurate reporting and data integrity across clinical systems for regulatory compliance and operational performance. 

7. Budgeting & Resource Allocation 

• Manage the budget for applications, including cost forecasting, resource allocation, and vendor negotiations. 
• Ensure cost-effective use of resources while meeting operational and strategic objectives. 

8. Regulatory & Compliance 

• Ensure that all clinical applications meet regulatory standards and guidelines (e.g., Meaningful Use, HIPAA, CMS). 
• Maintain updated knowledge of healthcare IT regulations and implement changes as necessary to stay compliant. 

Qualifications

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, health informatics, information technology, or related field required. 
• Master’s degree in healthcare informatics, business administration, or equivalent is preferred. 

Experience: 

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in clinical applications or healthcare IT, including at least 5 years in a leadership role. 
• Extensive experience in managing clinical application implementations, including EHRs (e.g., Epic, Cerner). 
• Proven experience leading large teams and cross-departmental projects. 
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance, privacy standards, and patient safety initiatives related to healthcare technology. 

Skills: 

• Strong project management skills with experience in Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid methodologies. 
• Excellent leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing teams. 
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to work with both clinical and technical teams. 
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to make informed decisions. 
• Ability to manage budgets and allocate resources effectively. 
• Expertise in healthcare regulations such as HIPAA, Meaningful Use, and other relevant standards. 
• Certifications: 
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Professional in Healthcare Information & Management Systems (CPHIMS) preferred. 
• Epic or Cerner certification (or other relevant clinical applications) is a plus. 
• Work Environment: 
• Primarily office-based with occasional travel to clinical sites. 
• Ability to work in high-pressure, fast-paced healthcare environments. 

*This role is onsite 4 days/week in our Chicago office (Fulton Market District)

• A generous benefits package that includes paid time off, health, dental, vision, and 401(k) savings plan with match
• Salary: $187,000 - $220,000 plus 25% performance bonus