Chief Medical Officer

Summary:

This position assumes overall accountability for oversight of all medical practices and clinical quality along with related activities within the ministry. The position functions as the liaison between the ministry Medical Staff and President. In addition to the ministry responsibilities, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) will support System-level initiatives as they relate to the ministry or to CHRISTUS Health on a strategic level. For those System sponsored programs, the CMO will be accountable to the CHRISTUS Health System Chief Medical Officer. This position is accountable for serving as a catalyst for the development of practice guidelines and care protocols that lead to the achievement of quality biomedical/service outcomes and cost efficiencies. Additionally, the CMO is accountable for continuous quality improvement and clinical loss prevention functions as they relate to clinical practice and patient safety. This position will oversee the care management and quality management functions of the ministry and actively participates on and contributes to the Quality Management Committee.

Responsibilities:

Clinical and Service Quality

• Assists local management and clinical leadership in the development and application of provider-focused interventions and decision support tools (i.e., best practice guidelines, drug formularies, care process maps, referral guidelines, case management, and utilization review.
  1. Communicates effectively across administrative and clinical lines to accomplish the necessary integration of hospital services in support of medical practice within the hospital.
  2. Contributes proactively to the clinical and service outcomes of all communities to which this position is assigned.
  3. Assists in the development and application of information systems/programs for ongoing monitoring, measurement and communication of patient care management to facilitate timely specific clinical behavior modification.
  4. Accountable for care management/utilization management throughout the continuum of care.
  5. Serves to coordinate other medical director activities as they exist in the local continuum of care delivery and serves as a leader and mentor to develop local physician leadership.
• Based on principles of population based care management will assist provider leadership in the development and implementation of systems and services that fully integrate care and reimbursement through outcomes based management across the continuum of care.
  1. Actively participates in utilization/resource management team meetings, including special or ad hoc team meetings.
  2. Provides leadership in the orientation of the interdisciplinary utilization/resource management team(s) where purpose, structure and goals are explained to each participant and commitment is gained.
  3. Accountable for assuring that clinical and service outcomes data is reported to hospital Performance Improvement Committee and the Regional Board of Directors.
  4. Provides assessment of macro/micro indicators for appropriateness of clinical and satisfaction targets in relation to relevant patient populations.
  5. Evaluates data collection processes.
  6. Serves as a leader, champion, and consultative resource for the design and execution of provider profiling activities essential to practice improvement efforts.
  7. Assists with prioritization of improvement initiatives.
  8. Communicates and supports the System-level and Health System Patient Safety Programs.
  9. Actively collaborates with nursing and other allied health professionals at both the market and System levels.

 Business Literacy and Community Value

• Exercises a substantial collaborative role in the development and recruitment of physicians for the Medical Staff.
  1. Analyzes data to estimate current market share and project physician needs.
  2. Ensures recruitment practices are in compliance with accepted legal practices.
  3. Assists in developing strategies for attracting a proper mix of medical practitioners and/or specialties.
• Contributes in a substantive manner to the development and implementation of the strategic plan within the overall mission.
  1. Coordinates with directors and managers to integrate physician needs into strategic planning process.
  2. Advises Senior Leadership as to the selection, replacement condition and repair of the facility’s clinical equipment.
  3. Develops plans, conducts studies, and makes recommendations reactive to developing new medical technology/initiatives.
  4. Assists facility in development of a comprehensive spectrum of services that address community needs throughout the care continuum.
• Demonstrates full support of the CHRISTUS Health Mission, Values & Vision. Uses position and job responsibilities as a unique means for integrating values into the work process and for making a positive contribution to the organization’s culture and climate.
  1. Promotes patient privacy, safety and confidentiality at all times according to established procedures to ensure that dignity and respect of each is maintained.
  2. Uses verbal and written communication skills to convey ideas in a positive, value-sensitive, supportive manner.
  3. Displays an understanding of and need for proper stewardship of resources by the way in which job responsibilities are implemented.
  4. Shows respect for customer needs by developing and maintaining an active willingness to participate as a team member.
• Collaborates with System Medical Director to gain physician support for clinical programs, quality initiatives and physician leadership development program as appropriate for the Health System.
• Actively participates with other clinical, quality and other CHRISTUS Health councils to support and promote a truly interdisciplinary, holistic approach to care across the continuum of patient needs.
• Participates in CHRISTUS CMO activities under the direction of the System CMO
• Works on alignment with all “contracted” physician services (non-BCM)

Job Requirements:

Education/Skills:

• Master’s degree in Nursing or other healthcare related profession required.
• M.D. is required
• State medical license
• Strong leadership, organization, management, communication, negotiation, and analytic skills.

Experience:

• Five years progressive administrative experience in a clinical setting in a hospital or health system.
• Five years of experience in a strategic quality position oversight of multiple health care systems.
• Considerable medical experience in one or more branches of medicine or surgery and some administrative experience in a medical department

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications:

• Board certification by one of the American Boards of Medical Specialties.
• CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) required or within 1 year of hire.
• Current license in a relevant clinical discipline is required.