Position Spotlight: Director of Clinical Program Development

Jillian’s professional experience includes training and education, EMR implementation and support, physician relations, and program development. She completed her undergraduate degree in Healthcare Administration at Middle Tennessee State University and her graduate degree in Leadership and Development at Western Governors University. In her downtime she enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She is also a proud Nashville native. 

What does the Director of Clinical Program Development do at Contessa?
I support our nursing teams in working as effectively and efficiently as possible by improving and refining clinical processes. My job is to understand what needs improvement, and then identify the appropriate departments and resources to develop a stronger process. Not only does this include the creation of workflows and processes, but also ensuring that the clinical teams are educated, trained and supported every step of the way.   

Why did you choose a career in this field?
I knew early in my career that I did not have the “stomach” to be a clinician. I did know, however, that I was passionate about healthcare, helping make processes better, and being a resource to others. Along the way, I’ve made note of the parts of my jobs that I really liked and the parts I didn’t. Through that process, I’ve been able to become more aligned with what I do, which has given me a career that I love rather than just a job.  

How does the work you do at Contessa differ from other jobs?
The work I do at Contessa is different from other jobs because it directly makes a difference in patients’ lives every single day. It’s not just coming in, going home, and collecting a paycheck. Every one of us is doing things that help real people, whether it’s seeing patients or building the model our clinical teams operate. That is an incredible feeling that never gets old.  

What is the best part of your job?
Choosing only one item is impossible because I am deeply aligned in the work that I do. One of my favorite aspects of my role is getting to work with nearly every department with the projects and initiatives that I support. I am passionate about building relationships and trust, so I love that this role allows me the opportunities to build connections with so many incredible people! I also love being exposed to the work that all our teams are doing to better understand how each team adds value to the organization.  

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Working in clinical operations, we are often leading many changes that impact our teams. It can be challenging to build a plan or process that everyone will be happy with. I’ve learned that having conversations, understanding others’ perspectives, and communicating the patient care value of a decision helps keep our teams aligned. It takes a village to accomplish anything, and people need to feel they are considered, appreciated and add value to the work that we all are doing every day.  

What inspires you to come to work every day?
Genuinely loving my job and the people I work with gets me out of bed every day. I have been fortunate to work alongside a fierce leader who is the epitome of “Superwoman” and models the values of hard work, excellence and contagious energy every day. This work is more than a job for me, it is truly a passion. Iron sharpens iron and I’m grateful for this amazing company of all of our rockstar team members!