Rheumatology Medical Director

Rheumatology Medical Director
Summary
The Regional Rheumatology Medical Director provides clinical leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for rheumatology services across Cone Health. This physician leader is responsible for ensuring excellence in patient care, provider engagement, access management, regulatory compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and system-wide quality improvement initiatives.
The Medical Director serves as the primary physician leader for the rheumatology service line and supports strategic growth, operational efficiency, and exceptional patient outcomes.
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Core Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Oversight
*Serve as the lead rheumatology physician for the Cone Health Rheumatology Medical Group.
*Provide direct patient care and oversee the management of complex rheumatologic conditions in the ambulatory setting.
*Guide rheumatology physicians and advanced practice providers in evidence-based clinical practice and standards of care.
*Supervise advanced practice providers within the rheumatology practice.
*Assist with developing provider schedules and creating care delivery models that optimize patient access, productivity, and clinical outcomes.
*Assist with the development of new physician and advanced practice provider positions to support service line growth and recruitment efforts.
*Promote a culture of clinical excellence, professionalism, collaboration, and patient-centered care.
Program Development & System Strategy
*Lead expansion and optimization of rheumatology services across the region, including ambulatory care delivery models and access initiatives.
*Evaluate service line needs on a routine basis to improve patient access, operational efficiency, and service delivery.
*Partner with administrative leadership to develop strategic growth plans, business cases, and provider recruitment strategies.
*Identify opportunities for program development, subspecialty expansion, and innovative care models.
Quality Improvement & Education
*Lead and support quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes, operational performance, and patient experience.
*Support clinical research, scholarly activity, and educational initiatives within the rheumatology department.
*Promote adherence to evidence-based guidelines and quality metrics.
*Participate in provider education, mentorship, and professional development activities.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
*Ensure all rheumatology services comply with CMS regulations, The Joint Commission standards, and organizational policies.
*Assist with risk management reviews, patient safety initiatives, and quality assurance activities related to rheumatology services.
*Support documentation improvement, regulatory readiness, and compliance initiatives.

Essential Job Function

• Education/Training: Utilizes literature and attends regional and national meetings remain current and professionally competent.
• Participates inpatient, staff, and professional education programs.
• Participates in educational and research programs including didactic material, formal teaching conferences, clinical teaching, staff education conferences, and clinical research.
• Liaison: Participates in liaison duties with the other professional staff, and in development of patient referral sources.
• Keeps referring physicians informed of care and outcomes.
• Patient Care; Provides direct and indirect patient care the assigned areas.
• Provides medical supervision of the interdisciplinary team and supervises residents and medical students in all aspects of their assigned duties.
• Participates in clinical research projects of interest.
• Provides accurate and timely documentation and sign off of care establish up-to-date medical records for billing purposes.
• Professional Standards: Models and upholds the professional standards of MCHS including the Medical Staff By-Laws, Service Excellence commitments, practice standards, physician expectations and professional image standards.
• Acts in concert with MCHS Mission, Visio, and Values.
• Demonstrates collegial and respectful relationships with colleagues, patients, associates, family, and visitors.
• Upholds Socratic Oath, honors patient confidentiality, and acts with integrity at all times.
• Works in alignment and contributes towards achieving the goals and standards of MCHS.
• Quality and Safety: Participates, as needed, in medical audits, quality improvement programs, investigations, peer review, and other inquiries relating the standards of professional care.
• Provides medical supervision and leadership the interdisciplinary team achieve the maximum benefit for each patient.
• Ensures safe practice standards and regulatory compliance.
• Quality Improvement: Engages in continuous improvements and use of evidence-based practices working towards preeminent healthcare and service (with outcomes moving in the 90th percentile or above).
• Maintain records in accordance with the policies of MCHS, applicable laws and regulations.
• participates in development of clinical guidelines, procedures, programs, and makes recommendations improve quality and efficiency of care.
• Shares specifically designated on-call responsibilities with other physician members of the assigned areas.

Education

• Required: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from a Medical School recognized by the North Carolina Medical Board.
• Also medical degrees from other countries that are equivalent to the United States MD or DO degrees from a Medical School recognized by the North Carolina Medical Board.

Experience

• Required: Completed appropriate residency training (and fellowship training as required).

Licensure/Certification/Listing

• REQUIRED Required: Practitioner must have completed the number of years in a residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and met all other requirements for eligibility to receive board certification recognized by either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association in the primary medical specialty (or subspecialty) for which the Practitioner is applying for Clinical Privileges. If five (5) or more years have elapsed since the Practitioner completed such residency program, the Practitioner currently must have board-certification recognized by either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association in such specialty (or subspecialty). Fully licensed to practice Medicine in the state of NC. Meets requirements of the Moses Cone Health System Medical Staff by-laws and obtains the appropriate level of medical staff privileges. The Practitioner must have a current, and valid DEA registration number, with no involuntary limitations on prescriptive authority (schedule limitations) resulting from DEA disciplinary actions.