Family Medicine Physician - Rural Health

Comprehensive Care Physician Opportunity

This position involves providing comprehensive care across multiple settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitalist services, long-term care (LTC), and a senior behavioral health unit. The physician may also be appointed as Medical Director for a care unit within the health system and will provide backup support to the Emergency Department (ED) and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in the ED. Physician is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in a rural setting while adhering to Minnesota state regulations and federal guidelines, including those for CAHs.

Job Duties

Outpatient Clinic:

• Provide primary care services, including preventive care, chronic disease management, and acute care for patients of all ages.
• Perform routine physicals, diagnose and treat illnesses, and coordinate referrals to specialists as needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely patient records in compliance with state and federal regulations, including HIPAA and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) standards.

Hospitalist Services and On-Call Duties:

• Manage inpatient care for hospitalized patients at the CAH, including admissions, daily rounds, and discharge planning, concurrently with serving as the on-call provider for the health system.
• Respond to urgent patient needs across the system, including inpatient, ED, and LTC, during on-call periods.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive patient care, adhering to CAH federal guidelines under CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).
• Hospitalist duties will be performed concurrently with on-call responsibilities for the system.

Long-Term Care (LTC):

• Provide medical oversight and care for residents in the LTC facility, including regular assessments, medication management, and care plan development.
• Collaborate with nursing staff and other healthcare professionals to address resident needs and maintain compliance with Minnesota nursing home regulations.

Senior Behavioral Health Unit:

• Deliver medical care and oversight for patients in the senior behavioral health unit, addressing physical health needs and partnering with psychiatrist for behavioral health.
• Work closely with nursing, psychiatrists, therapists, and social workers to execute individualized treatment plans.

Emergency Department (ED) Backup:

• Provide backup support to ED staff, including APPs (e.g., Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants), for urgent and emergent cases which on call.
• Assist in stabilizing patients, ordering diagnostic tests, and facilitating transfers to higher levels of care when necessary.
• Maintain proficiency in emergency medicine procedures in line with CAH requirements and Minnesota state regulations.

Medical Director Role (As Appointed):

• Serve as Medical Director for a designated care unit (e.g., LTC, senior behavioral health, or outpatient clinic) within the health system, if appointed.
• Provide clinical leadership, oversee quality improvement initiatives, and ensure regulatory compliance for the assigned unit.
• Collaborate with administrative and clinical teams to develop policies, protocols, and performance metrics in accordance with Minnesota and federal regulations.

Collaboration and Leadership:

• Support and mentor APPs in the ED and other settings, providing clinical guidance and oversight as needed.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, peer reviews, and compliance with CMS standards.
• Engage in community outreach and education to promote health and wellness in the rural community.
• Be flexible and partner with other providers to cover patient care coverage.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employee will comply with all Mille Lacs Health System (MLHS) policies, including safety policies, procedures, and rules. All will be expected to report unsafe conditions to a member of management.

Required Education and Experience

• Medical degree (MD or DO) from an accredited medical school.
• Board certification in Family Medicine.
• Active, unrestricted Minnesota medical license or ability to obtain one.
• DEA registration and Minnesota Board of Medical Practice registration.
• Current BLS, ACLS, and ATLS certifications (PALS preferred for ED support).

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in family medicine, hospitalist care, long-term care, or behavioral health preferred.
• Leadership experience or interest in serving as Medical Director for a care unit.
• Comfortable working in a rural healthcare setting with limited specialty support.
• Strong diagnostic and procedural skills, including minor procedures and emergency interventions.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment with APPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build trust with patients and families.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time - 4-day week in clinic, shared on-call/Hospitalist shifts to support 24/7 coverage for the CAH and ED.

Location: Rural Central Minnesota, with services provided at the CAH, outpatient clinics (Onamia, Hillman, Garrison, Isle and Milaca) LTC facility, and senior behavioral health unit.