Associate Chief Health Officer (Primary Care)

About the role

The Associate Chief Health Officer (ACHO) collaborates with the Chief Health Officer (CHO) to ensure the quality and performance of health services at CommUnityCare. The ACHO oversees assigned service lines, establishes clinical standards of practice, and promotes an integrated, high-performance model of care. Through expert collaboration with quality and performance improvement, clinical informatics, operations, finance, compliance, and nursing leadership, the ACHO fosters a highly-reliable, innovative, team-based care environment that advances health equity, improves quality, builds community, and promotes workforce well-being.

The ACHO leads clinical quality improvement, disease management, utilization review, clinical outcomes, preventive health, research and education, clinical integration, and new market development. This role sets a transformative standard of excellence in clinical leadership, supporting value-based, efficient, and team-based care across the care delivery system continuum. The ACHO also provides direct patient care in addition to administrative duties.

Responsibilities

• Work with the CHO to implement the strategic direction of the organization related to health services.
• Establish and maintain an environment of health and wellness for patients, staff, and the community.
• Collaborate with clinical leadership, departmental leads, and community thought leaders to prioritize, integrate, and support clinical programs and new initiatives.
• Foster a culture of best practices, measurement, performance, continuous improvement, accountability, customer service, and exemplary teamwork.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining treatment, prevention services, and population health programs in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee clinical programs such as disease management, high-risk programs, care management, population health, care model advancement, wellness, and prevention.
• Work with the CHO and Director of Quality & Performance Improvement to oversee Quality Management Teams, set clinical standards, design metrics, review data, and develop feedback systems and sustainability plans.
• Represent CommUnityCare internally and externally as a senior clinical leader, building relationships with clinicians, health plans, hospital systems, universities, government entities, and community organizations.
• Mentor and develop clinician managers/leaders.
• Oversee the development and implementation of clinical guidelines, protocols, and care pathways to standardize quality care and minimize variation.

Clinical Practice

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments using observation, inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion.
• Order and execute tests, analyses, and diagnostic images to evaluate patient conditions.
• Diagnose and treat diseases, disorders, and injuries within scope of practice, referring patients to specialists as needed.
• Prescribe medications, therapies, preventive care, and contraception.
• Instruct patients and families on care plans, procedures, and follow-up visits.
• Direct professional and ancillary health care staff during patient treatment.
• Respond to inquiries about preventive health and treatments.
• Compile and record patient medical data, including health history, treatment plans, and examination results in electronic medical records.
• Report required information, such as deaths and contagious disease outbreaks, to governmental authorities.
• Promote and coordinate high standards of medical practice.
• Maintain a clinical practice for 16 hours per week.

People and Department Management

• Oversee the performance and development of assigned medical directors.
• Assume responsibility for patients receiving care within designated health centers in collaboration with the CHO.
• Direct clinical service operations and execution of initiatives, goals, and programs.
• Manage the implementation of new department initiatives and ensure coordination of strategy.
• Adhere to all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Participate in the Clinical Services Leadership Group, Clinical Directors Group, and other committees as directed.
• Select personnel for hire and promotion; manage counseling, disciplinary actions, demotions, and terminations.
• Direct, support, and coach direct reports, responding proactively to employee needs and concerns.
• Develop expertise within the department and seek employee input.
• Facilitate consensus among divergent groups and minimize staff turnover.
• Acknowledge and reward employees’ strengths and accomplishments.
• Evaluate assigned staff performance and competency, providing direct feedback.
• Assess learning needs, develop competency plans, and provide learning opportunities.
• Work with health center practice and clinical leaders to ensure a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Support, lead, and model the vision, mission, and values of CommUnityCare.

Requirements

• Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree or doctoral degree in a related clinical field.
• Five years of clinical practice experience.
• Two years in a clinical leadership role such as Medical Director or Associate Medical Director.
• Current and unrestricted license from the Texas Medical Board or unrestricted license to practice as a Physician Assistant in Texas with current certification in area of specialty or unrestricted license to practice nursing in Texas with current credentialing as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
• MD/DO: Certification in a medical specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
• Current Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number for prescribing medications.
• Current Healthcare Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Current Basic Life Support Certification for Healthcare Providers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, and/or Master’s in Public Health.
• Experience in a managed care organization, preferably with Medicaid managed care.