From HTM to C-Suite Rehman Syed, BE, MS, CBET, CCE

slide1. From HTM to C-Suite Rehman Syed, BE, MS, CBET, CCE
Katherine Navarro, CCE<br>
slide2. About the Speakers Rehman Syed, (Syed) BE, MS, CBET, CCE
Director, Clinical Engineering. Health and Hospital Corp. NYC
Employed by Crothall HTS Compass Group
Two decades of Clinical Engineering Experience
Member of ACCE, BOK Committee and ACCE FDA Task Force
AAMI’s National Coalition for Alarms Management safety committee
AEHIT Education Committee
ACHE NJ Diversity Committee<br>
slide3. About the Speakers Katherine Navarro, CCE
Staff Biomedical Engineer for the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX
10 years experience in the HTM/CE field
Started career in VA through the Technical Career Field (TCF) Program for Biomedical Engineers
Became a Certified Clinical Engineer in 2015
Currently Chair of the Body of Knowledge Committee for the ACCE<br>
slide4. Disclaimer There is NO DEFINED PROCESS on how to get from HTM to C-Suite

We are only sharing ADVICE!

Our advice is based on our experience and the experience of professionals who made the journey to the C-Suite

Please hold your questions until the end of the presentation<br>
slide5. The Professionals Interviewed From the VA:
Lucas Marsh – Chief, Healthcare Technology Management Service, Charleston VA Hospital
Jennifer Defrancesco – Resident Regional Manager, Health Technology Solutions (previously the Associate Director of the Dayton VA Hospital)
Jason Newman – Deputy Director VHA Non-Expendable Program, Department of Veterans Affairs
Private Sector:
VP of Procurement NYC
COO Hospital NY
CMO, CTO, CEO, 2 CNO NYC
Corporate Director Converged Technology NYC
Two Executive Associate Directors (Clinical services and Support Services)
They act as COO and report to CEO<br>
slide6. Questions: Who in the audience wants to be a member of a hospital C-Suite team?

Why would it be good to have a C-Suite executive with HTM background?<br>
slide7. Benefits of HTM in C-Suite Benefits of having hospital executive leaders with clinical engineering backgrounds:
Stays current on new clinical technologies
Key player in equipment life-cycle management
Experience in healthcare technology acquisition
Have knowledge of and experience working with many other services
Understand clinical & technical aspects of a healthcare organization
Patient-focused & technology-focused perspectives<br>
slide8. From HTM to C-Suite Career Advancement Roles
HTM Supervisor – supervise staff
HTM Manager – manage resources (human and financial)
HTM Director – direct the course of a department / service
Vice President of Converged Technologies – lead multiple services (Biomed, IT apps, IT Technologies)
Senior Vice President or CTO – lead services / hospital strategies
Chief Executive Officer – lead organization in community<br>
slide9. From HTM to C-Suite Know your organization’s path
STEPS: A traditional path BME Graduate BME/CE BME/CE Director C-Suite …And Beyond! Education & Training Education, Training, Experience, other Qualifications VA TCF Program<br>
slide10. The VA TCF Program What is it?
Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee Program
2 year program that develops Biomedical Engineers to be effective Program Managers in the VA
Full-time position with GS-7/9/11 salary progression and benefits

Who is eligible?
Engineering degree from an ABET accredited engineering program
Degree in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering or Clinical Engineering is preferred
Must be a US Citizen
Must be willing to travel and relocate
Must commit to VA for 5 years

How to apply?
https://www.usajobs.gov
Search for “Biomedical Engineer” or “TCF”
Application open in April<br>
slide11. The VA TCF Program What do you do?
Train under an experienced Clinical Engineer (CE)
Learn and perform various CE tasks in the VA
Evaluating medical equipment
Managing the medical equipment maintenance program
Coordinating new medical technology implementations
Attend focused trainings and conferences
After 2 years, secure permanent position within VA

What are the benefits?
Learning with a “safety net”
Get exposed to many tasks/responsibilities to help determine best permanent position:
Staff BME, Chief BME, Networking/IT BME, VACO BME, etc.
Many of the TCF graduates climb the ladder quickly in the VA
All of the VA professionals interviewed went through the TCF program<br>
slide12. How can we get from HTM to C-Suite? C-Suite HTM<br>
slide13. HTM to C-Suite: 4 FOCUS AREAS Area 1: Education, Certifications, and Training

Area 2: Mentoring, Relationships, Networking and Recruiting/Search Firms

Area 3: Experience, Image, Performance and Excelling

Area 4: Think like a C-Suite<br>
slide14. FOCUS AREA 1: Education, Certifications, and Training<br>
slide15. Education Continuing Education (CEU’s)– healthcare and technology
Webinars, training videos
MBA (healthcare concentration) or MHA
The Master of Health Administration (MHA or M.H.A.), or Master of Healthcare Administration, is a master's-level professional degree granted to students who complete a course of study in the knowledge and competencies needed for careers in health administration, involving the management of hospitals and other healthcare facilities FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide16. Education LEAN/Six Sigma
Process improvement methodologies
LEAN: Methodology based on the removal of unnecessary waste
Six Sigma: Methodology based on statistical analysis to improve processes with unknown problems
Six Sigma DMAIC process: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control
Many organizations offer education and certification
https://www.msicertified.com/certifications.html
https://www.6sigma.us/six-sigma-training.php
Certification levels
White belt
Yellow belt
Green belt
Black belt
Master Black belt FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide17. Certifications CCE – Certification in Clinical Engineering

CHTM – Certified Healthcare Technology Manager

FACHE – Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide18. Certifications: CCE Certification in Clinical Engineering from ACCE
Examination administered by HTCC
Provides formal recognition of individual competence in Clinical Engineering
Certification process
Application review – qualifications and references – due by 7/19/19
Written exam – 2 weeks in the Fall
Oral exam – during annual AAMI conference
Certification renewal every 3 years
https://accenet.org/CECertification/Pages/Default.aspx FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide19. Certifications: CHTM Certified Healthcare Technology Manager from AAMI Credentials Institute (ACI)
Covers 2 major areas:
Management of Healthcare Technology operations
Management of personnel
Certification Process:
Application and fee due 15 days before test date
Written exam – May/November 2019
Recertification – every 3 years
https://www.aami.org/professionaldevelopment/content.aspx?itemnumber=1134&navItemNumber=577 FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide20. Certifications: FACHE Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
Considered a Gold standard Credential for Healthcare executives
Reference book link
https://www.ache.org/-/media/ache/fache/bogexamreferencemanual.pdf FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide21. Certifications: FACHE 10 Knowledge Areas tested in the FACHE exam:
Healthcare
Management and Leadership
Finance
Human Resources
Quality and Performance Management
Business
Healthcare Technology and Information Management
Laws and Regulations
Professionalism and Ethics
Governance and Organizational Structure FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide22. Certifications: FACHE The following requirements must be met before qualifying to take the Board of Governors Exam:
Current ACHE Membership with three (3) years minimum tenure  
Masters or other post graduate degree
You currently hold an executive healthcare management position and have a minimum of five (5) years executive experience
Completion of 36 hours continuing education  
Participation in two (2) healthcare and two (2) community/civic volunteer activities
Two (2) references FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide23. Training VA leadership trainings
LDI
GHATP
HCLDP
Hospital-level leadership trainings
BTL and ELC
Professional Organization leadership trainings
ACHE
AAMI
HIMSS/CHIME FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide24. VA Training: LDI VISN 17 Leadership Development Institute (LDI)
Oldest VISN-wide leadership training program
Leadership development and networking
Highly competitive program for GS 11 – GS 14
Application-based selection process
LDI Program:
Three week commitment (one week every other month)
Complete assigned between-session projects
Select a mentor and adhere to recommended mentor meeting schedule
Complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP)
Complete a High Performance Development Model (HPDM) 360 assessment FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide25. VA Training: GHATP Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program (GHATP)
Masters in health administration or MBA with concentration in healthcare (completed within last 2 years)
1-year program to prepare for health care management career
Work for the director of the hospital
Shadow and follow various services
Complete project presented at ACHE conference
Successful completion – placed in GS-11 position
https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Careers/StudentsTrainees FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide26. VA Training: HCLDP Health Care Leadership Development Program
1-year program to prepare high-potential management professionals for executive positions in the VA
Builds leadership competencies with face-to-face training, virtual assignments, and coaching
Curriculum Overview:
Personal Leadership
Leadership Agility and Leading Others
Organizational Leadership
http://vaww.succession.va.gov/Employee_Development/HCLDP/SitePages/default.aspx FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide27. Training: BTL and ELC Building Tomorrow’s Leadership (BTL)
The Emerging Leadership Council (ELC)
I used to be an active member of The Emerging Leadership Council (ELC) of one of my previous employer
Focuses on career development and growth of health care professionals
Offers networking opportunities of like minded peers
Provides visibility to senior leaders of the organization
Membership open to all employees who have their manager’s approval

Find this organization and join

What if my organization does not have it? FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide28. Training: ACHE American College of Healthcare Executives
CareerEDGE
To help you navigate this evolving marketplace
Unique, interactive and comprehensive tool for planning and managing your career
Complimentary benefit to ACHE members
Includes assessments, a strategic career planning framework, job site links and more FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide29. Training: ACHE Strategic Career Planning: A Pathway to Success (video)
ACHE's Healthcare Executive Resource Center
Members-only guided presentations to assist you with your healthcare management career development FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide30. Training: ACHE Executives Coaches Directory
Offers personalized support to individuals pursuing professional growth
Search this directory to quickly identify and assess the qualifications, methods and fees of an array of executive coaches FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide31. Training: ACHE Career Learning Center
Guided presentations to assist ACHE members with healthcare management career development
Topics covered include
Advance Your Career
Develop Your Network
Build Your Personal Brand FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide32. Training: ACHE ACHE Chapters
Each of ACHE’s 78 chapters provides educational programs, local information, and volunteering and networking opportunities to help you develop crucial leadership skills and stand out in this dynamic healthcare environment
Chapters also provide opportunities for established leaders to give back to the profession
You’ll have access to local education programs that qualify for ACHE face-to-face education credits FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide33. Training: AAMI/CHIME AAMI/CHIME HTM Leadership Academy
To help cultivate leaders within healthcare technology management
One-day leadership academy
The inaugural program, ran concurrently with the AAMI 2018 Conference & Expo
Specifically designed to address HTM professionals’ day-to-day challenges—and to position them to have a seat at their respective organization’s "big" table
Help current and aspiring HTM leaders become fully integrated members of the healthcare delivery team and have significant influence in the management of all healthcare technology FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide34. Training: CHIME & ACHE CHIME & ACHE have created gold standard exam for executive roles in healthcare

Only we as HTM can convince the stakeholders to create the much needed roles and career of Chief Clinical Engineering Officer or Chief HTM Officer

Recommend that HTM professional organizations collaborate to get a C-Suite executive title for HTM FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide35. Training: HIMSS Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
Global, cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on better health through information and technology
Leads efforts to optimize health engagements and care outcomes using information and technology
Serves the global health IT community
Provides a unique forum for its members to collaborate on programs and initiatives that contribute to the common good
Funds activities which enable individuals and groups to gain consensus on best/common practices, equip stakeholders with tools and resources to transform healthcare within a care setting, learn from each other and create positions
Examples include Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE), the Alliance for Nursing Informatics, our senior IT executive community, our Global Conference & Exhibition and our Women in Health IT Roundtable. FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide36. Training: CHIME The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME)
Professional organization for Chief Information Officers and senior healthcare IT leaders
Members and business partners collaborate, exchange ideas, develop professionally
Advocate the effective use of information management to improve the  health and care in the members’ communities

CHIME membership is designed for CIOs, senior IT leaders, Clinical Informaticists, and their direct reports serving healthcare organizations
$375 CHIME only membership
$575 CHIME-HIMSS membership

CHIME specialized sister organizations
The Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Security (AEHIS)
The Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Applications (AEHIA)
The Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Technology (AEHIT) FOCUS AREA 1:<br>
slide37. FOCUS AREA 2: Mentoring, Relationships, Networking and Recruiting/Search Firms<br>
slide38. Mentoring Have many mentors AND mentor many people
Wide variety – different positions, backgrounds
Someone in a position you are aspiring to
Gain insight and broaden perspective
How to get a mentor/mentee
Your organization
Professional Society mentor programs FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide39. ACCE Mentoring Program Help clinical engineers advance in their profession or outside their profession in the healthcare field
Paired with experienced member of ACCE
Benefits:
Personal growth
Professional growth
Job enrichment
Mentoring chair:
Larry Fennigkoh, PhD, PE, CCE, FAIMBE, FACCE, Professor of biomedical engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Email: mentoring.chair@accenet.org
https://accenet.org/Membership/Pages/Mentorship.aspx FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide40. ACHE: Mentoring Connection 2019 ACHE Diversity Forum’s New Mentoring Connection (MC)
Will build upon the ACHE Leadership Mentoring Network, with a 1:1 virtual mentoring experience
The Forums’ MC will add social-identity mentoring features to enhance the mentor-mentee connection
2019 Forum Mentoring Connection Schedule:
March-April: Mentor and Mentee application period
May: Mentoring matches confirmed and activated
June-November: 6-month Mentoring Connection active
December: Program wrap-up and debriefing
Become a Forum MC Mentor
Benefit from fresh perspectives, learn about yourself as a leader, derive satisfaction from supporting another’s career development, and contribute to advancing diversity in healthcare management
To qualify: Current ACHE Member with at least 10 years healthcare management experience and demonstrated interest in the Forum’s mission
Become a Forum MC Mentee
Connection with an experienced professional who can personally identify with your opportunities and challenges
To qualify: Diversity Forum member, not a student, and currently employed in an healthcare-related position at any career level
For more information, contact diversity@ache.org or visit ache.org/Mentoring FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide41. Professional Coach Professional Coach, Executive Coach or Career Coach
Working with a coach is one of the most impactful ways to cultivate further strengths and improve on weaknesses
Leaders at any level can benefit from a coach’s feedback
Even great leaders that are successful and seem to have little room for improvement
Benefits
Help us recognize patterns in our behavior we would otherwise be unaware of
Guide us in developing new ways of handling emotions in ourselves and in our relationships
Help us “unstick” unproductive habits and provide motivation as we encounter roadblocks
Skilled and trained in helping you create a personalized plan designed to meet your goals
Get advice and information tailored specifically to your needs FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide42. Relationships Supervisor
Let him/her know your career goals
C-Suite members
Get to know your organization’s C-Suite
Leaders in the HTM or healthcare industry
Professional Organizations
Active volunteer FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide43. Relationships Relationship Management
C – Communicate
L - Lead
E - Educate
R – Recognize

Characteristics of Relationships
Help others succeed
Foster teamwork
Honest, dependable, ethical, etc.

Mentors
Provide direction, support and can be very instrumental in your career path Superiors Subordinates Internal: Clinicians External: patients Engage Stakeholders FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide44. Networking and Recruiting/Search Firms Networking
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines networking as “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions…specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business”
Networking avenues:
Social Media (i.e. Linked In)
Society/Organization membership
Conferences/Events
Recruiting/Search Firms
A way for employers to find qualified people to fill executive positions
Can help you in your executive job search FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide45. Recruiting/Search Firms When hiring senior executive-level talent (C-suite, VP, etc.), a client (hiring organization) may retain an executive search firm to help them find the very best talent to fill the position

Search firms:
Specialized management consulting firms
Executive search: find and attract candidates
Find top executive candidates who fill gaps in their client’s leadership teams
Offer industry-specific knowledge and expertise to ensure the most qualified and appropriate candidate is selected
Involves in-depth research, private networking, exhaustive screening and a methodically thought-out selection process to gain a prosperous outcome for the client
Other benefits:
Assessing an organization and its culture
Assimilating a new leader for optimum success
Advising executive leadership and boards FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide46. Recruiting/Search Firms Since the type of searches handled by executive search firms are not usually advertised on job boards, executives must ensure that they are visible to be considered for these opportunities

A few ways executives can ensure their visibility to executive search firms include:
Speaking at relevant industry events or participating in conference panels
Publishing thought leadership on online platforms to showcase your industry expertise
Actively participating in your industry or professional association FOCUS AREA 2:<br>
slide47. FOCUS AREA 3: Experience, Image, Performance and Excelling<br>
slide48. Experience “Past performance is an indicator of future performance”
What experiences make you ready to handle future challenges?
Evaluate yourself or have your mentor evaluate you on your experience
If you successfully manage 5 employees – chances are you can successfully manage 50
Have you successfully handled a variety of challenges
Doesn’t always need to be learned/handled at work
If you successfully handle a $50k budget, chances are you can successfully manage a $10M budget
What goals / objectives have you successfully achieved?
Job Descriptions
What is required, what would be nice to have
Look on-line if you have to
Read bio of present leaders FOCUS AREA 3:<br>
slide49. Image (Brand Management) We all have our own brand
How do your colleagues, boss, etc. describe you
Are you refreshing (like a soda), great to work with or a drain, complainer, etc.
Are you seen as the person deserving to be promoted?
Without saying – have you labeled others you work with?
The higher on the career ladder – less opportunities
The more stringent it could get: supply & demand
Do you have a different image in your mind for what a supervisor could look like versus what you expect a C.E.O. to look like? FOCUS AREA 3:<br>
slide50. Performance How well do you manage your resources
8 bucket dashboard (can differ for areas)
Inputs (staffing, equipment, financials, training)
Outputs (volume/census, quality, satisfaction, safety)

How well do you achieve your tasks / goals

How well do you problem solve and make decisions FOCUS AREA 3:<br>
slide51. Excelling Be the Go-To person
Do your best at your current job
Volunteer for tasks outside of your job
Be willing to do everything and do it well
Find unfulfilled needs and fill them
Be a constant team-player
Be persistent and share your vision
Take acting positions in roles you are striving towards FOCUS AREA 3:<br>
slide52. FOCUS AREA 4: Think like a C-Suite<br>
slide53. Think like C-Suite Connect with C-Suite Goals
Strategic vision
Revenue
Patient access
Customer experience
Know the performance metrics/trends
Global perspective
Understand other services and how they function together
Patient-focused FOCUS AREA 4:<br>
slide54. Think like C-Suite Emerging trends and how to address
Cybernetics & Artificial Intelligence (AI) for healthcare
Wearables
Internet of Things
Telehealth market growth
Alexa in healthcare
Secure “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) in Healthcare
Healthcare and voice applications
Healthcare & Digital Health Predictions For 2019 https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/5565/338876 FOCUS AREA 4:<br>
slide55. BEYOND C-SUITE What’s next?<br>
slide56. Question: Who does the CEO report to? BEYOND C-SUITE<br>
slide57. Board of Directors Who does the CEO report to?
The “Board of Directors”
Join the hospital’s “Board of Directors” (Do not need to be C-Suite executive)

National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
Recognized authority on leading boardroom practices
Mission: Advancing exemplary board leadership
Setting the standard for responsible board leadership for more than 40 years
Empowering more than 20,000 directors to lead with confidence in the boardroom
Helps boards strengthen investor trust and public confidence by ensuring that today's directors are well prepared for tomorrow's challenges
Elevate performance, gain foresight, and instill confidence
Fosters collaboration among directors, investors, and governance stakeholders
https://www.nacdonline.org/ BEYOND C-SUITE<br>
slide58. Board of Directors The American College of Corporate Directors (ACCD)
A networking, educational and credentialing organization for directors of publicly held companies
Mission: to provide members with the highest standard of instruction, theory and practice surrounding the important, complex, and timely issues facing public companies today
A certification from The ACCD is an important credential for board leadership, and a useful tool for members interested in acquiring additional board seats
https://accdirectors.com/ BEYOND C-SUITE<br>
slide59. Pay it Forward! Healthcare leadership organizations can help upcoming HTM leaders become healthcare executives through…
Becoming a mentor
Fundraising and Scholarships
Executive internships
Educational programs BEYOND C-SUITE<br>
slide60. Advice from the Professionals “People are always watching, so whatever you do, make it the best!” JD “Get mentors and a lot of them in different areas.” JN “It’s a journey not a destination.” LM “Develop a good work-life balance.” JN<br>
slide61. Advice from the Professionals “You can lead an unfamiliar department of operation by just learning the Work flows and the high level concepts and lead at the strategical level.” CIO NJ “Do not reject a job offer until you see in writing the numbers and benefits. Sometimes title can be same but compensation can be as per your expectation.” Sr Director NYC “Look for opportunities in failures.” CTO NYC “Being a member of professional organization is good. For leadership results, you have to be a very active member of more than one professional org or societies.” CEO NY<br>
slide62. Advice from the Professionals “When you are ready for the next step in your career, do not wait for your current employer to give you a chance. Instead find an employer who is ready to take a chance with you.” CNO NYC “Manage a department whose knowledge you do not have. This will lead to real leadership skills as you are completely dependent on your team.” CIO NJ “Develop new skills, especially the skills of the leaders who you inspire to become one day, like communications skills.” CIO NJ “Do not be discouraged…If you fail you have the courage to try. If you succeed you beat all the odds.” Sr Director. NY<br>
slide63. Questions?<br>
slide64. Thank You! Katherine Navarro
210-949-3997
Katherine.Breffeilh@va.gov Rehman Syed
212-939-1940
SyedClinicalEngineer@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rehman-syed/<br>