Solution Architect

Job description

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).

**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, makes recommendations, and communicates 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 (MDP) on an ongoing 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**

+ PMI-PMP or CCA or EPIC-BEA or CCARC or CISCO-CCIE or MCA or RH-CSA or NCDA

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES**

+ Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing 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

**Company Profile:**

Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.

Houston Methodist 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 area.

Houston Methodist 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, Houston Methodist employs more than 27,000 employees and is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide high quality patient care.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Required Skill Profession

Other General