Chief Clinical Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position : Chief Clinical Officer (CCO)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Department: Clinical

Status: Full-time/Exempt Classification: Permanent

EEO Code: Professional

DCHC CORE VALUES:

• Service of the Poor - Employee demonstrates generosity of spirit, especially for persons most in need
• R e v e rence -Employee demonstrates respect and compassion for the dignity and diversity of life
• Integrity - Employee inspires trust through personal leadership
• Wi s dom - Employee integrates excellence and stewardship into execution of job duties
• Creativity - Employee demonstrates courageous innovation
• Dedicatio n - Employee affirms the hope and joy of the DCHC mission

GENERAL JOB D E SCRIPTION

The CCO provides strategic and operational leadership for the organization's medical and clinical programs and works collaboratively with the Chief Executive Officer, executive leadership team, medical staff, nursing leadership, quality and compliance departments, and governing board to ensure the delivery of accessible, high-quality, patient-centered, culturally responsive, evidence-based care.

The CCO is responsible for ensuring that clinical operations are consistent with the organization's mission, strategic plan, HRSA-approved scope of project, applicable federal and state requirements, professional standards, clinical guidelines, credentialing and privileging requirements, and the organization's policies and procedures.

The CCO serves as the organization's principal clinical advisor to the CEO and executive leadership and provides leadership in clinical quality improvement, patient safety, provider performance, population health, clinical workforce development, access, care coordination, and regulatory compliance.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads, directs and coordinates with Health Center's and community providers the delivery of an integrated comprehensive primary care services.

Oversees monitors, and evaluates and as necessary, develops and revises the Health Center's clinical protocol, procedures and systems to assure compliance with federal laws, regulations, standard s of practice and relevant Bureau Primary Care indicators including OSHA, CLIA, patient care, employee health, coding and quality assurance program.

Oversees, monitors and evaluates and as necessary, revises the Health Center's continuous quality improvement activities and quality assurance program. Prepares and delivers monthly reports to the Quality Committee and Governing Board

Supervising physicians and mid-levels: performing quality assurance activities. Participating and directing provider and medical care team meetings

Establishing linkage with pharmacy, dental, and community referral entities while expanding the scope of services available through community referrals.

Investigating best practices and implementing quality improvements initiatives to the care teams Establishes positive relationships with local medical community.

Assists with recruiting new providers to the system and then orients, monitors, directs, coaches and evaluates the medical staff.

Oversees, in conjunction with administration the credentialing and re-credentialing privileging of clinical staff.

Participates as part of Health Center's leadership team in evaluation of clinical services, budgeting, and feasibility of expansions in health services.

Ensuring the implementation of QI/QA operating procedures.

Ensuring QI/QA assessments are completed at least quarterly.

Monitoring QI/QA outcomes.

Updating QI/QA policies and procedures, as needed.

Provider Leadership, Credentialing and Privileging

• Provide clinical oversight of employed and, as applicable, contracted clinical providers.
• Participate in provider recruitment, onboarding, orientation, performance evaluation, retention, and professional development.
• Ensure providers meet applicable education, training, licensure, certification, credentialing, and privileging requirements.
• Work with the appropriate committees and leaders to ensure timely initial credentialing and re-credentialing.
• Ensure clinical providers practice within the scope of their licenses, education, training, experience, and approved privileges.
• Participate in peer review and professional practice evaluation activities as appropriate.
• Establish mechanisms for monitoring provider performance, productivity, quality, access, and adherence to clinical standards.
• Promote professional accountability and provider engagement.

HRSA identifies credentialing, privileging, recruitment and retention, clinical staffing, and tracking of re-credentialing as areas of clinical leadership responsibility during site visits.

Clinical Staffing and Workforce Planning

• Assess clinical staffing needs based on patient volume, access requirements, scope of services, population needs, and organizational priorities.
• Establish appropriate provider and clinical staffing models.
• Partner with Human Resources and executive leadership to recruit and retain qualified clinical personnel.
• Develop succession and workforce-development strategies for key clinical positions.
• Monitor provider vacancies, recruitment pipelines, turnover, and access-to-care implications.
• Ensure adequate clinical coverage across HRSA-approved service sites.

HRSA Health Center Program Compliance

• Ensure clinical programs operate consistently with applicable HRSA Health Center Program requirements.
• Support the CEO and executive leadership in maintaining compliance with the organization's HRSA-approved scope of project.
• Participate in HRSA Operational Site Visits, Service Area Competition/Renewal of Designation activities, and other applicable HRSA reviews.
• Ensure clinical documentation, policies, procedures, and operational practices are prepared to demonstrate compliance with applicable Health Center Program requirements.
• Maintain awareness of changes to HRSA requirements, federal and state regulations, clinical standards, and other requirements affecting health center operations.
• Collaborate with compliance, quality, operations, and administrative leadership to resolve identified deficiencies.

HRSA states that health centers must comply with Health Center Program requirements and applicable federal regulations and that its Compliance Manual is the principal resource used to demonstrate compliance.

Access, Continuity and Care Coordination

• Provide leadership to improve timely access to primary and preventive health services.
• Monitor clinical access, provider capacity, appointment availability, no-show rates, and continuity of care.
• Ensure appropriate systems exist for after-hours coverage and medical emergencies.
• Promote effective referral management and care coordination.
• Ensure appropriate follow-up for patients discharged from hospitals or emergency departments.
• Promote integration of primary care, behavioral health, oral health, pharmacy, enabling services, and other services within the organization's scope.
• Support strategies addressing social determinants of health and barriers to care.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Lifting, twisting, bending and prolonged sitting or standing may be required. The physical movements and the degree of mobility normally associated with the practice of primary care may be required.

Work under stressful conditions as well as extended hours may be required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Potential occasional exposure to low dose radiation hazards, hazardous chemicals and body fluids and waste. Personal protective equipment provided. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Current licensure as an MD/DO to practice in the State of Louisiana Current DEA certification

Valid Driver's License

Must be able to meet and maintain current DCHC credentialing and privileging requirements

Skill in providing excellent customer service and support: organizing and prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines.

Excellent written and verbal communications

Ability to perform each role responsibly satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation

Must be computer literate with ability to enter information in the EMR and compile reports or data as requested

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to work experience in a community health center setting, previous experience as a Medical Director, completion of an accredited primary care residency program, or Board Certification (or eligible) in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine.