Chief Information Systems Essay

According to Wagner, Lee, and Glaser (2013), “the IT department has been an integral part of most hospitals or health care systems since the early days of mainframe computing.” Information technology (IT) has transitioned to implement many improvements, and this requires HCO’s to embrace said applications to remain relevant and competitive in today's market. IT in and of itself cannot improve systems alone; however, enable organizations to create a more efficient way of communicating throughout the processes of steady development and provide useful tools to manage infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the fundamental responsibilities and critical characteristics of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology

Depending on the size of the IT group and the diversity of applications and responsibilities, a function may require several subsidiary departments or subgroups.” There are fundamental IT Senior Leadership Roles within health care organizations, and they consist of but not limited to the Chief Information Officer and the Chief Technology Officer. The roles of these two entities fall under the same guise; however, their functions are entirely different. In brief, a Chief Information Officer mandates and oversees the development and advancement of IT. Importantly, the CIO must ensure adequate involvement and use proven improvements to the IT framework. The CIO, according to Mellott, Thatcher, Roberts, and Carter (2012), “medical CIOs are expected to play multiple roles. For example, as managers, they are responsible for diverse activities including electronic medical records implementation, clinical personnel allocation, system integration, overcoming medical providers’ resistance to health IT systems, and ensuring whether patient information is updated and preserved over the short term and long term. As leaders and educators, they are also expected to develop future IS leaders by increasing the number of qualified Health Services Systems Management Officers to full important operational requirements.” For the record, the CIO must create specific roles and use proven knowledge and information systems among all clinicians and support staff within