We are seeking highly experienced and highly engaged clinicians, administrators, supply chain professionals and value analysis professionals to serve on Vizient advisory councils. Potential members should have a basic understanding of purchasing requirements as well as standardization and utilization leading practices. The following is a description of ideal candidate profiles for each advisory council. Please review and apply.
Alternate Site Advisory Council
The Alternate Site Advisory Council assists in developing and improving programs, services and contracts that directly support the needs of our non-acute customers and Vizient members.
Alternate site professionals including administrators, materials managers, directors of nursing and directors of facilities are desired.
Facilitator: Abbi Manson, Sourcing Director (Provista)
Call: Every other month (day of the week changes), 1:30-3 p.m. CT
Alternate Site Pharmacy Advisory Council
This council’s role is to provide strategic insight and input to the Vizient Pharmacy Program specifically related to the alternate site pharmacy classes of trade. The classes of trade currently include home infusion, specialty pharmacy, retail pharmacy, physician clinic, closed door long-term care pharmacy, corrections, mail order pharmacy and oncology pharmacy. This council provides members with a voice into the development of programs, initiatives, and strategies as categories emerge that are relevant to pharmaceuticals and biologics utilized significantly in alternate site settings.
Candidates must possess subject matter expertise in the non-acute areas of pharmaceutical purchasing, pharmacy operations or clinical pharmacy practice. Preference will be given to directors of pharmacy, pharmacy purchasing managers, and those with PharmD, RPH, or CPHt credentials.
Facilitator: Walter Geba, Principal (Provista)
Call: Every other month up to 6 meetings (4 calls, 3rd Tuesday, 2:30-3:30 p.m. CT plus 2 live meetings spring and fall)
Ambulatory Surgery Advisory Council
This council provides feedback in the contracting process for surgical, specialty and anesthesia products. This council also helps direct programs and strategies that assist ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in optimizing their supply chain. Members of this council represent ASCs across the country and include representation from facilities that are management companies, independent centers, and IDN-owned and controlled facilities.
Administrators, materials managers, directors of nursing, and ambulatory surgery center consultants are preferred.
Facilitator: Abbi Manson, Sourcing Director (Provista)
Call: Every other month (day of the week changes), 1:30-3 p.m. CT
Cardiovascular Contracting Council
This council helps direct the development of programs and drive contracting strategies for clinically acceptable cardiovascular implants and associated products and services that are important to the delivery of cardiovascular services, the improvement of operational efficiencies and the reduction of supply costs, while sharing and discussing best practices and exploring optimization strategies.
Physicians, executives within the cardiovascular service line and other clinical personnel with specific experience in interventional radiology and cardiology, electrophysiology and structural heart are preferred.
Facilitator: Mary Crowe, Sr Dir, Contract Services
Call: As needed
Clinical and Supply Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to the Vizient procurement process for medical, nursing and critical care products. The council is integral in developing strategies to support clinical conversions, documenting leading clinical practices that promote standardization and utilization, supporting safety initiatives through the identification of products that are best-in-class, and providing direction to the development of educational tools to enable conversions.
Registered nurses (RNs), value analysis professionals and directors of materials management are preferred.
Facilitator: Riaz Dharani, Sr Dir, Performance Optimization
Call: Every first Wednesday, noon-1 p.m. CT
Clinical Pharmacy Advisory Council
This council provides direction and subject matter expertise to the Vizient Pharmacy Program for development of clinical pharmacy resources and tools to assist member health care organizations. Areas of focus include formulary stewardship, emerging drug therapy/pipeline agents, utilization optimization, drug shortages, the Clinical Pharmacy Practice model, and the High-Value Pharmacy Enterprise. The council supports a member drug shortage mitigation group that develops and publishes mitigation strategies; council members are encouraged to participate. Additionally, the council is tasked with the development of at least one practice-based resource per year. Formulary management, clinical coordinator, and inpatient or outpatient clinician experience preferred.
Facilitator: Stacy Lauderdale, AVP, Evidence-Based Medicine
Call: As needed
Diagnostic Imaging Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to the Vizient procurement process for products and services related to diagnostic imaging, operations and business issues.
Radiologists, imaging directors, pediatric imaging specialists, clinical engineering/biomed professionals, and supply chain professionals (VP and director level) involved in procurement of imaging equipment are preferred.
Facilitator: Adam Fairbourn, Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every second Thursday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. CT
Environmental Advisory Council
The Environmental Advisory Council offers critical strategic guidance in support of Vizient’s broad Environmental Sustainability objectives and key results. The Environmental Advisory Council conducts activities within four high-level domains each month. Some examples include:
- Reviewing and finalizing data and analytical frameworks
- Shaping and finalizing provider Environmental Sustainability tools
- Advocating for optimal Environmental Sustainability performance improvement with suppliers
- Uniting and advancing the industry toward standardized sustainability standards
Supply chain leaders, sustainability leaders, value analysis professionals or individuals with a background in or passion for environmental stewardship in health care purchasing and practice are preferred.
Facilitator: Cristina Indiveri, AVP, Core Tenet Programs
Call: Every first Tuesday, 1:30-3 p.m. CT
Environmental Services Contracting Council
The purpose of the EVS Contracting Council is to provide member input on the development of Vizient’s portfolio of products and services which fall under the EVS umbrella. These product and service categories impact various functional areas including those noted below:
| Infection Control | Food Services | Nursing | Facilities | EVS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitary Paper | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EVS Chemicals | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Liners | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Textiles | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Uniform Rental/Purchase | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distribution | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hand Hygiene | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Room Disinfection | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Waste Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EVS Directors, individuals responsible for purchasing decisions, infection control or environmental of care experts are being sought. Individuals with five or more years of management experience are ideal. CHESP or similar certification preferred. Must be a direct employee of an organization which has self-operated EVS (not outsourced). Specific consideration will be given to individuals with diverse experience in both acute and non-acute settings. This council is composed of individuals with a variety of responsibilities across EVS, linen, waste management and other relevant functional areas.
Facilitator: Kim Wenger, Sr Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every fourth Thursday, 2-3 p.m. CT
Facilities and Construction Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to the Vizient procurement process for non-medical CapEx and OpEx, products and services utilized by facilities departments, as well as construction-related products and services.
VP Operations, VP/Director of Construction, Director of Facilities, Project Manager, Equipment Planner(s) Real Estate, environmental services managers, facilities engineering leads and planning and design construction professionals are needed.
Facilitator: Charles Messamore, Associate Principal
Calls: Every third Wednesday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. CT
Food Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to Vizient’s food procurement process by sharing knowledge of food purchasing and related food product categories. Council members may be asked to participate in developing product evaluations, determining qualitative attributes for contracted products and providing an understanding of product application, pricing and usage.
The ideal Food Contracting Council candidate should:
- Be a subject matter expert with technical and leadership presence
- Be a credentialed food service professional
- Have a minimum of five years of food service management experience including food production, menu planning, product evaluation and application
- Be directly employed by a Vizient member in a self-operated facility that utilizes the Vizient food procurement program as its primary GPO program
Facilitator: Camille Asake, Product Executive
Call: Every fourth Tuesday, 1-2 p.m. CT
Hospitality Advisory Council
The Hospitality Advisory Council provides leadership and direction in the development of strategies, services and contracts focused on our hospitality members, consisting of Casinos, Boutique Hotels & Resorts, Entertainment and Sporting Venues, Theme Parks, Zoos and Aquariums.
Hospitality professionals including CEO's, Procurement Directors, VP of Culinary, Chief Procurement Offices, VP Procurement, Purchasing Directors, Business Development, Principals and General Managers are desired.
Facilitator: David Richard, Associate Principal (Provista)
Call: Every quarter (day of the week changes), 1-3:30 p.m. CT
Indirect Spend & Purchased Services Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to the Vizient procurement process for the following service areas:
- Clinical
- HR
- Finance and accounting
- Operational
- Marketing
Examples include contingent staffing, bad debt recovery, freight management, contingent staffing, facilities services, interpretation, device repair and reprocessing as well as patient transportation. Responsibilities include providing strategic direction and reviewing procurement recommendations, the development and weighting of nonfinancial evaluation factors, scoring the supplier responses to requests for proposals, and guiding the bid award decision.
Chief operating officers, Vice-presidents of support services, Vice-president or Director of Human Resources, Vice-president or Director of Business Office or Finance or Accounting, Director of Utilization Review and Purchased Services Supply Chain leaders are preferred.
Facilitator: Jack Gregg, AVP, Contract & Program Services
Call: Every fourth Thursday, 10-11 a.m. CT
Information Technology Contracting Council
This council develops and implements the strategic plan to build out an enhanced Information Technology portfolio for Vizient’s members. This includes identifying and prioritizing market opportunities, developing high-level relationships with key business technology vendors, building a mutually beneficial partnership and negotiating fee-generating contracts with market-leading value.
Category roadmap:
- Big data / analytics
- Business intelligence (BI)
- Clinical decision support (CDS)
- Cloud | hosting
- Mobility
- Software-as-Service (SaaS)
- Patient engagement | Population health management
- Cybersecurity
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Third-party data center hardware maintenance
- Secure texting | Clinical communication
- OEM—IT hardware and software
- Telecom—Voice and data services
- IT services | Outsourcing
Chief information officers (CIOs), chief technology officers (CTOs), chief information security officers (CISOs), IT directors and IT managers are preferred.
Facilitator: Scott Crandall, Sr Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every third Tuesday, 3-4 p.m. CT
Innovative Technology Contracting Council
Please note the Innovative Technology Council is not suited for individuals with Information Technology backgrounds.
This council reviews applications for a broad spectrum of products and services related to health care that have been submitted by suppliers for contract consideration through the Innovative Technology program. The council directs the Vizient Innovative Technology team to determine of which products and services should be awarded an Innovative Technology contract or should be recognized with an Innovative Technology designation for marketing their currently contracted item.
Nursing, value analysis, materials management, wound care, pediatrics, perioperative, critical care, respiratory, anesthesia, imaging, laboratory, orthopedics, cardiology, purchased services and operations professionals preferred.
Facilitator: Kelly Flaharty, Sr Dir, Contract Process
Call: Every third Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. CT
Laboratory Contracting Council
This council represents the views and interests of clinical laboratorians nationwide on clinical, business, and financial issues facing our member’s organizations. The Laboratory Contracting Council provides strategic advice including identifying areas of contracting, assisting to identify and communicate the best value and helping Vizient select the most cost-effective, highest quality solution for our members and their laboratories that directly impacts their ability to provide the best patient care.
Medical technologist (ASCP) certification desired with at least two years as a laboratory administrator or an individual possessing a supply chain background in laboratory instruments and consumables preferred.
Facilitator: Scott Grubenhoff, Sr Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every second Wednesday, 10-11 a.m. CT
Long-term Care and Home Health Advisory Council
The Long-term Care and Home Health Council provides leadership and direction in the development of programs, services and contracts for the long-term care market (e.g., skilled nursing, assisted living, home health, and hospice; it should exclude acute focus).
This council includes a diverse group of contributors, with long-term care experience in areas such as nursing, materials management, food and beverage, operations, finance, administration, etc.
Facilitator: Abbi Manson, Sourcing Director (Provista)
Call: Every other month (day of the week changes), 1:30-3 p.m. CT
Oncology Pharmacy Advisory Council
This council is a forum for collaboration and dissemination of oncology leading practices focusing on outpatient infusion. Topics include oncology market trends, operational efficiencies, cost and reimbursement of oncology pharmaceuticals, and various partnering opportunities with oncology manufacturers.
Pharmacy leaders with deep experience in the field of oncology preferred.
Facilitator: Carina Dolan, AVP, Pharmacoeconomics & Market Insights
Call: As needed
Orthopedic Contracting Council
This council directs the Vizient orthopedic contracting team regarding supplies and clinical acceptance of total joints, spine, trauma, sports medicine, orthobiologics and other orthopedic-related products. The Orthopedic Contracting Council is also a sounding board for any members to pose questions to or offer guidance to Vizient. This council comprises specialists in joint reconstruction, spine, sports medicine and trauma.
Orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, spine surgeons or trauma surgeons are preferred. Orthopedic nurses, orthopedic OR managers, value analysis or supply chain professionals with orthopedic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Facilitator: Brian Howard, Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every second Tuesday, 3-4 p.m. CT
Outsourced Services Contracting Council
The Outsourced Services Contracting Council solicits provider input in the development and expansion of Vizient’s Outsourced Services Program. Responsibilities include identifying coverage gaps, assisting in the development of the RFP strategy and structure, sharing insights and networking with other council participants.
Category Roadmap:
- Environmental Services
- Food and Nutrition
- Laundry and Linen
- Uniform and Facilities Services
- Vending
- Waste Stream Management
Ideal candidate must be directly employed by a Vizient provider in the healthcare setting. The candidate will need to serve as a liaison between the provider and supplier with 3-5 years’ experience in an operational role such as VP/Director Supply Chain, Operations Director, Support Services Director.
Facilitator: Kim Wenger, Sr Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every first Wednesday, 2-3 p.m. CT
Pediatric Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to the Vizient procurement process for products and services utilized in neonatal and pediatric care. Responsibilities include the development and weighting of nonfinancial evaluation factors, scoring supplier responses to RFPs, reviewing procurement recommendations, and providing strategic direction and support for both sourcing and programmatic activities (the Vizient Preferred Pediatric Program). Additionally, this council reviews innovative technology submissions that apply to neonatal and pediatric care.
Nursing, supply chain, value analysis, infection control and other related health care professionals with neonatal and pediatric experience are preferred.
Facilitator: Kurt Henry, Sr Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every first Thursday, 1-2 p.m. CT
Perioperative Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to the Vizient procurement process for products and services of concern to the operating room (O.R.) and surgical suite. The council represents the needs and interests of Vizient members’ departments nationwide. The Perioperative Council provides member feedback and guidance on supply-related business, strategic business issues, programs, products, and services.
O.R. directors, RNs with O.R. experience, perioperative services and supply chain managers, experienced buyers, and value analysis professionals are desired.
Facilitator: Kurt Henry, Sr Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every second Thursday, 11 a.m.–noon CT
Pharmacy Business Contracting Council
This council provides member input to the Vizient pharmacy team regarding contracting strategies, new business opportunities, trends, and evolution in pharmaceutical care and member needs. The council establishes the decision criteria, weighting and measurement method for all contract awards. The council reviews applications for new technology designation for pharmacy-related products. The council monitors the performance of participating health care organizations and contracted suppliers and makes recommendations on all aspects of contracting operations.
Ideal candidates include directors of pharmacy, associate directors, chief pharmacy procurement officers and pharmacy sourcing leaders.
Facilitator: Azra Behlim, AVP, Contract Services, Pharmacy
Call: Every second Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. CT
Procurement Technology Advisory Council
This council helps direct, develop and improve programs, services and contracts that directly relate to procurement technology.
Candidates must possess subject matter expertise in the area of procurement technology, and they must be a user of the Envi platform.
Facilitator: Abbi Manson, Sourcing Director (Provista)
Call: Every 2nd month of quarter on the 2nd Thursday from 1 – 2 p.m. CT
Respiratory & Critical Care Anesthesia Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to the Vizient procurement process for products in the respiratory and critical care anesthesia areas. The council represents the needs and interests of Vizient members’ departments nationwide. The Respiratory & Critical Care Anesthesia Contracting Council provides member feedback and guidance on supply-related business and clinical issues.
Registered respiratory therapists, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical managers, and value analysis professionals with respiratory backgrounds are preferred. Expertise in critical care respiratory products is preferred.
Facilitator: Kurt Henry, Sr Dir, Contract Services
Call: Every third Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. CT
Supplier Diversity Advisory Council
This council is empowered to support the Vizient Supplier Diversity Program and its mission to champion inclusion in member supply chain operations and accelerate economic growth in local communities through the engagement and empowerment of high quality and cost-competitive diverse suppliers. The council provides input on the policies, practices and procedures that support the three pillars of the Vizient Supplier Diversity Program: maximizing opportunities, mentoring and enrichment, and fostering collaboration. The member organizations represented on this council should be active supporters of the Vizient diverse supplier contract portfolio.
Expertise, passion or advocacy in the arena of supplier diversity is required. Directors of organizational diversity programs or those with managerial authority within the supply chain are desired.
Facilitator: Shaleta Dunn Vick, VP, Member Diversity and Community Initiatives
Call: Every second Tuesday, 10-11:30 a.m. CT
Wound Management Contracting Council
This council provides feedback and input related to the Vizient procurement process for wound-related products. The council is integral in reviewing new technology submissions, identifying and informing traditional and advanced wound care program needs, and guiding contracting activities to include bids and extensions.
Wound care specialists including wound, ostomy and continence nurses, and diabetic education specialists, as well as value analysis and reimbursement professionals with wound backgrounds in acute and/or non-acute areas are preferred.
Facilitator: Amanda List, Category Director
Call: Every first Tuesday, 11 a.m.–noon CT