Assistant Chief Medical Officer

Western State Hospital is seeking an experienced physician leader for the role of Assistant Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) to join our medical leadership team. This position plays a key role in advancing high-quality, person-centered psychiatric care while supporting the clinical and operational goals of the hospital.

About the Role

The Assistant Chief Medical Officer provides clinical and administrative leadership across assigned Extended Care and Acute Care services, collaborating with the Chief Medical Officer, medical staff, nursing leadership, and interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and administrative leadership and oversight for assigned Extended Care and Acute Care units, ensuring safe, consistent, high-quality, person-centered psychiatric care.
• Supervise physicians and psychiatric nurse practitioners, including clinical guidance, coaching, performance feedback, professional development, and oversight of clinical documentation and practice standards.
• Ensure appropriate provider coverage and assist with staffing plans to support continuity of care and operational needs.
• Serve as Head of the Treatment Team for the Med/Psych Unit, leading the multidisciplinary team in developing and implementing psychiatric, medical, behavioral, and rehabilitative treatment plans.
• Provide clinical oversight of patient care, including review of treatment plans, clinical decisions, provider orders, and other aspects of psychiatric and medical care.
• Promote effective interdisciplinary collaboration, teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution to support quality patient care and a positive therapeutic environment.
• Monitor clinical outcomes, safety indicators, performance measures, and quality data to identify trends and recommend improvements in clinical practices, workflows, and service delivery.
• Partner with the Chief Medical Officer to identify clinical and operational needs and assist with developing and implementing improved processes, procedures, and strategic initiatives.
• Establish clear performance expectations for supervised providers, conduct evaluations and supervisory meetings, address performance or attendance concerns, and support professional development and succession planning.
• Participate in hospital and Medical Staff performance improvement activities, including OPPE/FPPE processes, and serve on assigned Hospital or Medical Staff committees.
• Support hospital safety initiatives and ensure clinical practices align with hospital policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and National Patient Safety Goals.
• Participate in the education and clinical supervision of psychiatric residents and medical students, including case review, treatment planning, case conferences, lectures, and other teaching activities.
• Collaborate with community partners and other disciplines to support effective treatment planning, continuity of care, and successful patient discharge planning.
• Provide cross-coverage and additional clinical or administrative support as needed to maintain continuity of medical services.

Requirements

• License to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• DEA number prior to approval for clinical privilege.
• Completion of approved Medical School and Residency in psychiatry.
• Broad psychiatric knowledge and quality clinical skills and/or experience in assessing and treating acute forensic and civilly committed inpatient units or extended care psychosocial rehab services.
• Ability to supervise an active multidisciplinary treatment milieu and provide supervision to residents and medical students.
• Basic administrative skills to interface effectively with clinicians, hospital units, Central Office, and outside agencies.

Additional Considerations

• Board Certification preferred.
• Bilingual candidates, Veterans, or Veteran spouses are encouraged to apply.

Pay

Up to $385,000.

Background investigation, including fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification, and education verification, is required. Applicants must not have convictions for specific "barrier" crimes as defined by Virginia Code 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1.