Medical Director

Who is Alpharus Health?

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing. Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change. 

Why join us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll be working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice. You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth. When you join us, you have the opportunity to find both personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

Location: 25480 W. Cedarcrest Lane Lake Villa, IL 60046

Work Schedule:  Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Medical Directors are responsible for:

• Acts as attending physician for all clients admitted to assigned site(s), reviewing admission records and discharge plans and authorizing client medical treatment or issuing referrals to local hospitals for additional treatment. Provides regular on-site medical clinic services in accordance with established schedule.
• Collects information from diverse sources, applies professional principles in performing various analyses to summarize the information and data in order to solve problems or design relatively complex systems and programs
• Reviews, authorizes and signs clinical documentation: admissions, treatment plans, continued stays, discharges, nursing assessments, orders.
• Utilizes the escribe system, enters and authorizes medication orders for assigned patients.
• Reviews medical policies and procedures to ensure compliance with licensing and associated standards. Develops goals and objectives for improving client medical care and related services to improve overall program quality and effectiveness.
• Oversees services received from registered nurses or other state licensed staff to ensure appropriateness of treatment. Reviews documentation to ensure medical records meet established guidelines for sound medical practice.
• Confers with Director, Clinical Director and other medical advisory staff to identify and/or resolve client treatment issues.
• Develops and/or provides training on general medical issues and specific updates related to addictions’ or substance abuse treatment for clinical staff as appropriate.
• Participates in performance improvement activities.
• May be required to occasionally travel to various locations and sites for reviews and/or audits and advisory committee meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned, such as participates in utilization review requests from third part payers, orders laboratory and other special diagnostic tests and evaluates data obtained, and others.

Education and Experience

• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree and residency in primary speciality
• Current professional license to practice medicine in the state of hire and Board Certification, with established medical privileges at one or more local hospitals. Current certification or eligibility and recognition by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) as a qualified medical practitioner in addictions medicine for Gateway Foundation accredited programs
• Five (5) or more years call relevant experience in a medical field

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of medical standards, practices, policies and procedures
• Knowledge of medical standards and practices as related to substance abuse or addictive disorder treatment
• Knowledge of the principles of physical growth and development and psychosocial development; the ability to assess and interpret client data and identify individual needs; to provide health-related care appropriate to the developmental stage and client population as outlined below:
  • Adult Clients : Ability to apply knowledge of common health risks in adulthood as related to a history of substance abuse to teach and facilitate preventative health promotion.
  • Geriatric Clients : Ability to apply knowledge of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes associated with later adulthood (e.g. multiple health issues, living with chronic pain, medication interactions, depression, cognitive deficits, etc.) to an individualized treatment plan; and to understand the impact of medications and medication interactions on the cognitive and behavioral functioning of the client.
• Proficiency with computers and data management software to complete required forms, reports and correspondence
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills necessary to oversee and provide medical and overall health care advice in the treatment of substance abuse clients; and review program standards to ensure compliance with state, contract, regulatory, accreditation, or other applicable agency standards
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills necessary to lead, mentor and develop staff; establish and maintain positive collaborative working relationships with clinical staff, center managers, and agency representatives

Physical Requirements 

• Sedentary work. Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person or by telephone in order to gather and exchange information
• Ability to speak in order to conduct training sessions, exchange information and consult with others
• Ability to record and proofread required information and documentation
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data on a regular basis
• Occasional travel to program sites and administrative locations

Compensation : 

• Range is between $133,253 - $200,000 annually
• Starting rates are determined based on years of experience, qualifications, and relevant skills.
• Alpharus Health conducts annual performance reviews, with merit increase eligbility determined by employee performance and organizational financial performance. 

Benefits at Alpharus:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match 
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and Time Off:

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Alpharus Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here .