Human Factors Engineer, Innovation Team (Hybrid)
University Hospitals
Chardon, OH
Full-time
Information Services / Technology (IT)
Posted on April 26, 2024
Veale Initiative for Health Care Innovation Overview:
The Veale Initiative for Health Care Innovation is a project that will tackle health care's biggest issues with innovation and test ways to transform healthcare. Healthcare's biggest problems, like reducing hospital costs and allowing people to heal at home rather than in a hospital, require new approaches. The solutions that the Veale initiative finds-based on innovations and technology-will be implemented across UH and other health systems.
UH Ventures Overview:
UH Ventures (UHV)-the innovation and commercialization arm of University Hospitals (UH)-develops innovative new business models, products, solutions, and companies that leverage existing UH capabilities to benefit patients/consumers and develop new revenue for the hospital system. UHV is an entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial engine that guides the organization's effort to expand its care delivery enterprise through the optimization of high performing assets and through establishing novel and innovative growth channels.
Position Summary/Essential Duties:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Human Factors Engineer (HFE) to join the newly created Veale Initiative for Health Care Innovation at University Hospitals. This new Initiative is a transdisciplinary undertaking that brings together the resources and capabilities of three domains: The Office of Clinical Transformation, Department of Operational Effectiveness, and UH Ventures.
The Human Factors Engineer will formally sit within UH Ventures but will be wholly committed to this joint initiative. This individual will report directly to the Director of Design Operations of the Veale Initiative for Health Care Innovation (structurally part of UH Ventures) and will be responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of user-centered and intuitive healthcare solutions. The individual's hybrid expertise in human factors engineering and UX/UI design will play a critical role in improving the overall user experience and satisfaction of patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
1. User Experience (UX) Design: Lead the UX design process, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to create user-centered healthcare solutions. Support user research (in collaboration with the Director of Design Ops and human-centered designers), develop personas, and define user journeys to inform the design process. There will be human-centered designer(s) who will take the lead in the user/design research but the overall work will be collaborative. Apply human factors engineering principles to design intuitive and efficient user interfaces (e.g., software UI) and interactions (e.g., how people and processes, services, or experiences 'fit' or can fit better from a cognitive, physical, or emotional dimension).
2. User Interface (UI) Design: Create user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces for healthcare applications and systems. Design and be the 'guardian' of wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts. Ensure consistency in information architecture, visual design elements, typography, and branding across various touchpoints.
3. Usability Testing: Plan and conduct usability testing sessions to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of design solutions. Gather user feedback, observe user interactions, administer surveys, and analyze data to gather insights into user needs, preferences, and behaviors as they relate to product development and/or improvement. Collaborate with the team to iterate and refine designs based on user insights. This individual may be asked to provide support (e.g., input/counsel around formative and validation testing) to UH Ventures product team around device development. Additionally, he/she may be asked to support other enterprise initiatives such as high reliability medicine (HRM) and zero harm work tied to clinical operations and quality improvement.
4. Documentation and Reporting: Create and manage of usability files, including task analyses, use-related risk analyses, and usability validation plans, ensuring accurate and comprehensive documentation in compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, may be asked to package appropriate data and information for purposes of publication and for presentation to a wider audience (i.e., conferences).
5. Human Factors Engineering: Apply human factors engineering principles to optimize the interaction between users and healthcare systems. Conduct task analyses, workflow analyses, and cognitive workload assessments to identify potential usability challenges. Propose design enhancements to improve efficiency, safety, and user satisfaction.
6. Risk Assessment Assistance around 'Zero Harm': Support the team in conducting risk assessments and harm/hazard analyses related to human factors and use error for product design. Contribute to the development of strategies and recommendations to mitigate identified risks.
7. Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate closely with designers, engineers, clinicians, and stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of UX/UI design principles. Clearly communicate design concepts, rationale, and user insights to team members and stakeholders. Facilitate design reviews and workshops to gather feedback and ensure alignment.
8. Design System Development: Contribute to the development and maintenance of a comprehensive design system for the hospital system. Create and document design guidelines, patterns, and components to ensure consistency and efficiency in UX/UI design across applications and systems.
9. Industry Research and Trends: Stay updated on the latest trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in human factors engineering and UX/UI design. Share knowledge and insights with the team, contributing to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies. Support the team in ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., ADA, FDA).
Qualifications:
Education.
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., human-computer interaction, UX/UI design, cognitive psychology, industrial design or engineering, or related field). A master's degree is preferred.
Required Credentials, License, and / or Certifications.
• Certificates in human-centered design or design thinking (e.g., IDEOU, LUMA Institute, IBM Design Thinking) a plus
• Certificates in human-computer interaction (HCI) a plus
• Knowledge about relevant regulations, guidelines, and standards in the medical product industry (e.g., FDA Human Factors Engineering Guidance and IEC 62366) a plus
Experience & Knowledge:
- Proven experience (at least 5 years) in human factors engineering, UX/UI design, or a related role, preferably in the healthcare or technology industry.
- Strong knowledge of human factors engineering principles, usability principles, and best practices in UX/UI design.
- Proficiency in UX/UI design tools, such as Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, or similar applications.
- Experience conducting user research (qualitative and quantitative methods), usability testing, and creating user personas and user journeys.
- Solid understanding of visual design principles, typography, and branding.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and rationale to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Familiarity with healthcare industry regulations, privacy, and security requirements is a plus.
- Proactive and adaptable, with a passion for improving healthcare experiences through human-centered design and user-friendly interfaces.
- Exceptional collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to collect and interpret data, derive insights, and make data-driven decisions.
- Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy, completeness of documentation and project deliverables.
- Must have high energy, embody an entrepreneurial spirit, and be organizationally agile.
- Must have demonstrated the ability to transform concepts into action.
- Collaborative mindset with experience working in cross-functional teams and ability to influence without direct authority.
- Must be a hands-on individual willing to "go to the field" to directly observe work-to-be-done.
- Must be an optimistic, self-directed and self-confident performer.
- Must have a willingness to embrace and actively support the unique culture and values of innovation and transformation.
This role encounters Protected Health Information (PHI) as part of regular responsibilities. UH employees must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain PHI for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.
The Veale Initiative for Health Care Innovation is a project that will tackle health care's biggest issues with innovation and test ways to transform healthcare. Healthcare's biggest problems, like reducing hospital costs and allowing people to heal at home rather than in a hospital, require new approaches. The solutions that the Veale initiative finds-based on innovations and technology-will be implemented across UH and other health systems.
UH Ventures Overview:
UH Ventures (UHV)-the innovation and commercialization arm of University Hospitals (UH)-develops innovative new business models, products, solutions, and companies that leverage existing UH capabilities to benefit patients/consumers and develop new revenue for the hospital system. UHV is an entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial engine that guides the organization's effort to expand its care delivery enterprise through the optimization of high performing assets and through establishing novel and innovative growth channels.
Position Summary/Essential Duties:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Human Factors Engineer (HFE) to join the newly created Veale Initiative for Health Care Innovation at University Hospitals. This new Initiative is a transdisciplinary undertaking that brings together the resources and capabilities of three domains: The Office of Clinical Transformation, Department of Operational Effectiveness, and UH Ventures.
The Human Factors Engineer will formally sit within UH Ventures but will be wholly committed to this joint initiative. This individual will report directly to the Director of Design Operations of the Veale Initiative for Health Care Innovation (structurally part of UH Ventures) and will be responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of user-centered and intuitive healthcare solutions. The individual's hybrid expertise in human factors engineering and UX/UI design will play a critical role in improving the overall user experience and satisfaction of patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
1. User Experience (UX) Design: Lead the UX design process, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to create user-centered healthcare solutions. Support user research (in collaboration with the Director of Design Ops and human-centered designers), develop personas, and define user journeys to inform the design process. There will be human-centered designer(s) who will take the lead in the user/design research but the overall work will be collaborative. Apply human factors engineering principles to design intuitive and efficient user interfaces (e.g., software UI) and interactions (e.g., how people and processes, services, or experiences 'fit' or can fit better from a cognitive, physical, or emotional dimension).
2. User Interface (UI) Design: Create user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces for healthcare applications and systems. Design and be the 'guardian' of wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts. Ensure consistency in information architecture, visual design elements, typography, and branding across various touchpoints.
3. Usability Testing: Plan and conduct usability testing sessions to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of design solutions. Gather user feedback, observe user interactions, administer surveys, and analyze data to gather insights into user needs, preferences, and behaviors as they relate to product development and/or improvement. Collaborate with the team to iterate and refine designs based on user insights. This individual may be asked to provide support (e.g., input/counsel around formative and validation testing) to UH Ventures product team around device development. Additionally, he/she may be asked to support other enterprise initiatives such as high reliability medicine (HRM) and zero harm work tied to clinical operations and quality improvement.
4. Documentation and Reporting: Create and manage of usability files, including task analyses, use-related risk analyses, and usability validation plans, ensuring accurate and comprehensive documentation in compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, may be asked to package appropriate data and information for purposes of publication and for presentation to a wider audience (i.e., conferences).
5. Human Factors Engineering: Apply human factors engineering principles to optimize the interaction between users and healthcare systems. Conduct task analyses, workflow analyses, and cognitive workload assessments to identify potential usability challenges. Propose design enhancements to improve efficiency, safety, and user satisfaction.
6. Risk Assessment Assistance around 'Zero Harm': Support the team in conducting risk assessments and harm/hazard analyses related to human factors and use error for product design. Contribute to the development of strategies and recommendations to mitigate identified risks.
7. Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate closely with designers, engineers, clinicians, and stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of UX/UI design principles. Clearly communicate design concepts, rationale, and user insights to team members and stakeholders. Facilitate design reviews and workshops to gather feedback and ensure alignment.
8. Design System Development: Contribute to the development and maintenance of a comprehensive design system for the hospital system. Create and document design guidelines, patterns, and components to ensure consistency and efficiency in UX/UI design across applications and systems.
9. Industry Research and Trends: Stay updated on the latest trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in human factors engineering and UX/UI design. Share knowledge and insights with the team, contributing to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies. Support the team in ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., ADA, FDA).
Qualifications:
Education.
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., human-computer interaction, UX/UI design, cognitive psychology, industrial design or engineering, or related field). A master's degree is preferred.
Required Credentials, License, and / or Certifications.
• Certificates in human-centered design or design thinking (e.g., IDEOU, LUMA Institute, IBM Design Thinking) a plus
• Certificates in human-computer interaction (HCI) a plus
• Knowledge about relevant regulations, guidelines, and standards in the medical product industry (e.g., FDA Human Factors Engineering Guidance and IEC 62366) a plus
Experience & Knowledge:
- Proven experience (at least 5 years) in human factors engineering, UX/UI design, or a related role, preferably in the healthcare or technology industry.
- Strong knowledge of human factors engineering principles, usability principles, and best practices in UX/UI design.
- Proficiency in UX/UI design tools, such as Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, or similar applications.
- Experience conducting user research (qualitative and quantitative methods), usability testing, and creating user personas and user journeys.
- Solid understanding of visual design principles, typography, and branding.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and rationale to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Familiarity with healthcare industry regulations, privacy, and security requirements is a plus.
- Proactive and adaptable, with a passion for improving healthcare experiences through human-centered design and user-friendly interfaces.
- Exceptional collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to collect and interpret data, derive insights, and make data-driven decisions.
- Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy, completeness of documentation and project deliverables.
- Must have high energy, embody an entrepreneurial spirit, and be organizationally agile.
- Must have demonstrated the ability to transform concepts into action.
- Collaborative mindset with experience working in cross-functional teams and ability to influence without direct authority.
- Must be a hands-on individual willing to "go to the field" to directly observe work-to-be-done.
- Must be an optimistic, self-directed and self-confident performer.
- Must have a willingness to embrace and actively support the unique culture and values of innovation and transformation.
This role encounters Protected Health Information (PHI) as part of regular responsibilities. UH employees must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain PHI for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.
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