Self-Operation Program for Health Services (SOPHS)

True to its aims, SOPHS at IAU has a large team of talented and experienced doctors, who are further supported by highly qualified, experienced, and dedicated support staff and cutting edge technology.  As for infrastructure, KFHU at present has around 630 beds, including ICU units, operating theatres, a state-of-the-art catheterization lab, an ultra-modern dialysis unit, besides a host of other world-class facilities.  In respect of the turnkey services management for hospital operations, SOPHS has identified steps that will enable KFHU to reach its full potential.

1. Recruit distinguished and highly qualified medical, professional, and administrative staff to work at the university hospital.
2. Ensure that a sufficient number of consultants and expert academic staff and researchers are available.
3. Recruit human resources as per international standards, and not merely with the objective of satisfying the minimal requirements of the civil service.
4. Promote efficiency by ensuring that there is no duplication of tasks, both for medical service and academic work.
5. Provide medical education, training and health profession education.
6. Achieve and maintain accreditation status and international standards.
7. Develop a sustainable competitive advantage for the hospital to ensure high levels of quality, patient service and competitiveness.

In keeping with these operational objectives, SOPHS – Human Resource Services has consistently focused on identifying the manpower needs of King Fahd Hospital of the University and the other medical centers affiliated to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) and design and implement a well-planned clinical and administrative services portfolio.  It addresses specific job profiles, approach to recruitment, and training needs.

Thus far, SOPHS has established a reputation for focusing on quality candidates, being vigorous in the selection process, and conducting face-to-face interviews nationwide, as opposed to working blindly with large numbers.  It is the aim of SOPHS to address the shortage of qualified Saudi nurses and ensure that high levels of job satisfaction are created so that job retention rates stay high.  Most candidates recruited have reported a smooth transition and a relatively trouble-free process of adjustment.  The Recruitment Department ensures that all recruited personnel will have a pleasurable experience, with communication being fast and efficient.

Post-recruitment, SOPHS offers custom-built training programs for medical and administrative staff.  Employees in the training phase are attached to a mentor in a clinical and/or administrative department at the University’s hospitals and medical centers.  Training programs generally range from 45 to 90 days and have classroom-based, hands-on training, and self-study components integrated into the curriculum.  In addition to this arrangement, SOPHS arranges for periodic training programs, which focus on building capabilities and skills in specific areas.  These programs are designed to provide all employees of IAU with an opportunity to learn of the latest advances in their fields, and of ways in which they could incorporate best practices in medical services with their own work at University medical centers.

SOPHS is committed to supporting IAU’s aim of becoming the leading university hospital in the country through excellence in management and through the provision of educational and training activities to all staff members employed in clinical disciplines (i.e., physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, etc.).  Education and training activities are aligned with the university’s mission and vision as well as with internationally recognized best practices.

In general, SOPHS uses a customized portfolio of operational analyses to establish a framework for the further acquisition of the most advanced facilities and for operations that meet international standards of patient safety and quality care.  Our aim is to elevate medical services of IAU to world class status.  SOPHS main objective is to prepare the ground to start the new hospitals.  

While we have set ourselves some ambitious goals, we are proud that, as of now, with extensive and high quality medical expertise supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure, the medical centers of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University have already emerged as the most preferred healthcare destination in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

SOPHS main objective within the era of transformation 2020 plan is to prepare the ground to operate the new university health service either directly or through partnership with private.  Different modalities of private involvement with public services such as:

• Public private partnership (PPP)
• Private sector participation (PSP)

This matter is still under negotiation trying to be synchronized with 2030 vision.  Starting with the transformation 2020, SOPHS is looking to be the principal operating body of all IAU medical services chaired by the CEO that supervised by council of trustee.

The second level of Administration will be the Chief Executive Director of

• Academic
• Operation
• Medical
• Finance

Academic will include:

• CPD 
• Post Graduate Training
• Internship
• Clerkship
• Research

Operation

• Human Resources 
• Support - logistic
• Support
• Engineering

Medical

• Director of the center
• Director of the hospital