Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) works closely with clinic staff, department directors, and providers to ensure that the highest standards of quality and service are maintained. This position directs the staff and programs of the organization’s medical, dental, behavioral health, and specialty programs. Additionally, the CMO oversees the implementation of quality improvement efforts designed to improve clinical performance and maintain compliance with NCQA, HIPAA, and other accreditation standards. The CMO plays a key role in supporting the mission, vision, and values of the organization, as well as facilitating the development of the organization’s healthcare plan based on the needs, epidemiology, and health behavior of the community. In addition, the CMO relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals; performs a variety of complex tasks; contributes to strategic planning and leads/directs the work of others. Focus on disparities, population health, clinical quality, optimization, and the well-being of provider staff are priorities for the CMO.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Supports and upholds the mission, vision, and values of PHC.
2. Leads development of PHC’s health care delivery plan in alignment with community health needs, epidemiological trends, and the health behavior of the community; integrates these into PHC’s operational, strategic, and quality improvement initiatives.
3. Recommends and prioritizes clinical goals and objectives related to health care delivery and quality improvement plans.
4. Provides clinical leadership in PHC’s strategic planning processes.
5. Contributes to clinical operational planning by providing for efficient use of personnel (productivity) and aligning clinical disciplines with community needs.
6. Represents PHC in community organizations and initiatives aimed at improving population health outcomes and reducing disparities.
7. Participates in the development, monitoring, and evaluation of PHC’s annual budget.
8. Prepares and recommends the qualification statement and center policy for credentialing and privileging, job descriptions, and evaluation standards.
9. Recruits, interviews, and prepares recommendations for the hiring and termination of provider staff.
10. Conducts annual performance evaluation for provider staff; recommends and participates in final determination of disciplinary actions and terminations as well as recognition.
11. Provide input in the selection of key non‑clinical personnel.
12. Advises and participates in information system and clinical technology needs.
13. Designs and leads special studies to assess and improve clinical operations.
14. Analyzes clinical performance data and works with providers to develop and implement quality improvement action plans.
15. Reviews clinical procedures to identify and address risk management concerns.
16. Evaluates patient satisfaction data and integrates findings into the quality improvement framework.
17. Participates in incident and complaint reviews, particularly those involving clinical care or safety.
18. Participates in performance reviews of senior leadership as requested.
19. Organizes and leads regular meetings with provider staff, ensuring documentation and follow‑up on key items.
20. Establishes clinical performance goals for providers and conducts quarterly evaluations.
21. Attends Board meetings and provides regular updates on clinical program improvements, clinical outcomes, and other provider‑related matters.
22. Collaborates with COO in the oversight and coordination of ancillary services including laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy.
23. Approves requests for external CME.
24. Coordinates on‑site CME, provider orientation, and ongoing in‑service education.
25. Reviews and presents Principles of Practice for NHSC personnel.
26. Participates in the development of risk management and clinical guidelines.
27. Serves as an advocate and liaison for PHC with local/state professional associations and public officials.
28. Oversees medical and academic training affiliations and educational partnerships.
29. Ensures effective communication of organizational updates and decisions to clinical staff.
30. Reports relevant clinical staff issues directly to the CEO.
31. Manages and resolves clinical personnel issues, including coaching, counseling, and disciplining of providers.
32. Participates in community outreach activities and fund development.
33. Responsible for continuous quality improvement of patient care and clinical performance as part of the overall QI/QA plan.
34. Assesses UDS changes and incorporates them into the quality improvement plan as appropriate.
35. Provides oversight of the peer review process.
36. Provides day‑to‑day leadership and management reflecting the adopted mission and core values of PHC.
37. Formulates and recommends changes in clinical programming that are seen to be needed from analysis of clinical data, or changes in health behavior, epidemiology, or emerging community
38. Oversees the strategy, performance, and implementation of value‑based care and alternative payment models, including ACO and VBC contracts
39. Support and participate in PCMH transformation and recognition efforts.
40. Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

1. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and empathy towards patients, as well as excellent communication skills, critical thinking skills, the ability to handle stressful situations, the capacity to function independently, varied clinical experience, and the ability to document meticulously.
2. Knowledge of practice management components, particularly in cost‑constrained environments.
3. Knowledge of regulatory compliance i.e., HIPAA, FQHC, OSHA, CLIA, etc.
4. Ability to relate well to people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as well as have a passion for working with at‑risk, culturally diverse populations.
5. Ability to organize, analyze, and synthesize complex data from various sources.
6. Willingness to work flexible hours to meet the organization’s needs/demands.

MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

1. Involve, whenever appropriate, people in decisions that affect them.
2. Reflect on Mission, Vision, and Values when making decisions.
3. Understand and follow all laws, regulations, and policies that apply to your work.
4. Place organizational success above personal gain.
5. Organize work to maintain balance in our lives.
6. Focus our work on efforts that lead to achieving organizational priorities.
7. Address challenges and opportunities quickly and creatively.
8. Balance multiple and often competing priorities.
9. Use best practices to help the organization achieve its goals.
10. Make informed decisions, considering both short and long‑term implications.
11. Evaluate plans, meetings, work processes, and behaviors based on expected outcomes.
12. Carry out work responsibilities to support strategic and financial objectives.
13. Advocate for public policy that provides basic services for those who have limited resources.
14. Seek out opportunities to contribute our resources of time, services, or money to help those in need.

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS

1. Treat all people with dignity, respect and compassion.
2. Honor diversity in practices of faith, traditions, and culture.
3. Recognize the good work and accomplishments of others.
4. Invite and acknowledge the concerns, suggestions, and opinions of others.
5. Protect personal and professional privacy and confidentiality.
6. Communicate truthfully and expect others to do the same.
7. Identify and resolve difficult issues.
8. Seek out and participate in development opportunities.
9. View change as an opportunity.
10. Accept and offer feedback that promotes respect and leads to development.
11. Seek out education and training to build job skills.
12. Exceed expectations of patients and colleagues.
13. Strive to exceed job requirements.
14. Seek to continuously improve work processes.
15. Work with others in the spirit of teamwork.
16. Be accountable for the successful completion of the scope of work.
17. Make decisions about time and work resources that avoid waste and duplication.
18. Conserve natural and environmental resources
19. Maintain health, safety and security in the workplace.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Must be a graduate from an accredited School of Medicine and Residency Program, Board Certified currently licensed to practice in the State of Georgia. Have a thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of medicine commensurate with his/her training. Previous experience in a hospital or ambulatory clinic setting with management and/or leadership responsibilities is required. A degree in Health Care Administration, Business Administration, or related discipline, is a plus.

• Skills in communicating effectively with patients and their families.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with fellow healthcare providers.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills required.
• Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges required.
• Ability to travel to all locations and meetings outside the service area; flexible hours required.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the employee must be able to perform each essential function, as well as the physical and mental requirements satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS

• Seeing: Must be able to read handwritten and printed material, as well as use a computer, fax machine, Xerox machine, and other medical equipment by specialty — 75-100%
• Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with co‑workers and others— 75-100%
• Sitting: Must be able to sit for the majority of the work shift while answering the telephone and communicating with others— 50-74%
• Standing/Walking/Mobility: Must be able to stand intermittently and be capable of walking on hardwood and linoleum floors with concrete underpayments. Must be able to walk between various clinical areas and departments— 25-49%
• Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling— 25-49%
• Lifting/Pulling/Pushing— 25-49%
• Fingering/Grasping/Feeling— 75-100%

This position requires manual and finger dexterity and eye‑hand coordination for easy and skillful use of hands when working with and performing normal office duties and responsibilities. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, crouch, kneel, and reach with hands and arms. Good hearing is necessary to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound. Visual acuity is needed to assess color changes and to verify the accuracy of written materials.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Able to complete organization forms and correspondence and able to speak effectively before groups or employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, as well as interpret medical numerology e.g., cc’s or centimeters, etc.

REASONING ABILITY

Able to think and reason to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Fast‑paced work environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is responsible for the direct supervision of licensed clinical providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other licensed healthcare professionals. Responsibilities include oversight of clinical performance, schedule management, support for credentialing and peer review activities, performance evaluations, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies, clinical protocols, and regulatory requirements.