5 Benefits of an Interim CIO: A Win-Win for Your Healthcare Organization

July 12, 2022

Leadership is the single most important part of managing technology. When an Information Technology (IT) executive position goes unfilled, the entire organization suffers – from the financial health of the organization to the clinical staff, administrators, and even the IT professionals themselves.

As a result, many hospitals and clinics are turning to interim Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to provide guidance through these periods of change and bridging the gap between the loss of leadership and hiring a permanent successor.

Interim CIOs are temporary project-based executives that work alongside the current leadership team to set and implement strategy, execute large projects, and manage the relationship between clinical and IT departments. With that in mind, here are five benefits to hiring an Interim CIO.

 

1.   Avoid Costly IT Leadership Gaps

Filling the seat of a C-suite executive is not an easy task. From the time an executive announces their departure, to searching, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding the new candidate, a gap in leadership can lead to costly lag times of 12 to 16 months. In addition, this could lead to frustration, loss of morale, and productivity among other executives and staff members. Having an Interim CIO will reduce costly gaps while the healthcare organization pursues a permanent solution.

 

 

2.   Immediate Access to Expertise and Experience

Interim CIOs have extensive technical knowledge and experience, working with many healthcare organizations large and small which uniquely qualifies them to produce results immediately while remaining flexible. Interim CIOs also stay laser focused on what is best for the healthcare organization by assessing situations objectively as they are free from any previous staff relationships, office politics, or career advancement goals. They will also ensure a smooth transition of knowledge, reducing the time needed by a permanent executive.

 

3.   Align Business and IT Strategy

Interim CIOs are tasked with aligning processes and technology to best support the business. Gaining immediate access to expert IT leadership can deliver a fresh set of eyes and a unique perspective to help the company reach its business objectives in a more effective manner.

 

4.   Improve IT Infrastructure and Processes

Prioritizing IT infrastructure management for hospitals and clinics of all sizes is necessary to ensure all IT systems and networks are running at optimal levels. With extensive experience an Interim CIO will quickly take control of the IT environment to better track performance, make smarter IT decisions, and mitigate technology risks involving hardware, software, and network systems that may arise.

 

5.   A Win-Win Outcome

Interim CIOs bring tremendous value to a healthcare organization, from expertise and experience to quick results, flexible options, fresh perspective, and a commitment to success. These seasoned IT executives can quickly enter their role and provide the leadership needed to keep the engines running smoothly.

 

For more information on how we can assist your IT Leadership needs, please contact us at 623.980.8018 or by email inquiries@johnlynchandassociates.com