INTERM HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR

Alamo Navajo School Board Inc. (“ANSBI”) is a New Mexico non-profit corporation and Navajo Nation tribal organization that provides services to the Alamo Navajo Community in Alamo, New Mexico, a satellite of the Navajo Nation. Through its Health Services Division, ANSBI operates the Alamo Navajo Health Center (“Health Center”) pursuant to a self-determination contract and annual funding agreement (“AFA”) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service (“IHS”), under Title I of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act, P.L. 93-638 (the “ISDEAA”). Services provided by the Health Center include Comprehensive Ambulatory Medical Care, Dental, Community Outreach, Medical Laboratory, Nutrition, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Environmental Health, and Behavioral Health and Counseling services.

About the role

ANSBI is soliciting proposals from consultants (“Contractors”) to serve as an Interim Health Services Director for the Health Center for an initial 13-week (approximately 3-month) term. The selected Contractor shall work under the general direction of the Health Services Committee of the ANSBI Board of Trustees (“Board”), in coordination with the General Services Director. Services shall be delivered in a manner compliant with applicable federal, state, and Navajo Nation laws, and respectful of tribal sovereignty, customs, and community values. Proposals shall be evaluated in accordance with the Navajo Business Opportunity Act, 5 N.N.C. 201 et seq., as amended (“NBOA”). Preference will be given to qualified Contractors certified as Priority #1 or Priority #2 on the most recent Source List kept by the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development, Business Regulatory Department.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Health Center in maintaining stable operations while transitioning to new leadership, including ensuring continuity of day-to-day administrative functions.
• In coordination with the Chief Medical Officer (“CMO”), assess the Health Center’s current management structure and operational needs, identifying leadership gaps, and recommending improvements to the Health Center’s organizational structure, procedures, and policies.
• Spearhead provider recruitment efforts in coordination with Human Resources.
• Help resolve and address any negative audit findings with respect to the Health Center, as applicable.
• Participate in contract negotiations with IHS.
• Develop a transition plan for long-term management, and, with assistance from the Human Resources Director and CMO, oversee the recruitment, evaluation, and selection of a new Health Services Director, which may include:
  • Coaching, mentoring, and leadership development of a current staff member to fill the position.
  • Recruiting a qualified consultant to serve as a Health Services Director for a longer-term engagement, or extending the Contractor’s engagement.
  • Finding a permanent Health Services Director to serve under a term employment contract.
• Oversee and assist with grant applications, ensuring all deadlines are met.
• Provide oral and/or written status reports and recommendations to the Health Services Committee of the Board throughout the engagement.

Requirements

• Education: Master's degree in Health Administration (MHA), Public Health (MPH), Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare Management, Nursing, Public Administration, or a closely related field. A doctorate or clinical professional degree (M.D., D.O., D.N.P., Pharm.D., or equivalent) is preferred but not required.
• Executive Healthcare Leadership Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible executive or senior management experience in the administration of healthcare organizations, including at least five (5) years serving as a chief executive officer, executive director, clinic director, chief operating officer, or equivalent senior leadership position.
• Tribal Healthcare Experience: Demonstrated experience managing a healthcare facility operated by IHS or a federally recognized Indian Tribe or Tribal organization under the ISDEAA.
• Indian Health Service Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of Indian Health Service programs, policies, funding methodologies, regulations, and operational requirements, including experience negotiating or administering funding agreements and contracts or compacts under the ISDEAA.
• Operational Management Experience: Demonstrated experience overseeing the day-to-day operations of an ambulatory health center or outpatient clinic, or equivalent, including responsibility for clinical support operations, administration, finance, compliance, quality improvement, risk management, and patient access.
• Healthcare Administration Expertise: Experience implementing operational improvements, policy development, performance management systems, and process improvement initiatives that improve efficiency, compliance, and patient care.
• Human Resources Leadership: Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with Human Resources departments in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, evaluating, and retaining providers and other healthcare personnel.
• Leadership Development Experience: Demonstrated success mentoring, coaching, and developing healthcare leaders, including preparing assistant directors, department managers, or similar personnel for executive leadership responsibilities.
• Grant Administration Experience: Demonstrated experience preparing, reviewing, or administering federal and state healthcare grant applications, including familiarity with Indian Health Service competitive funding opportunities and the Special Diabetes Program or comparable federal grant programs.
• Government Relations Experience: Experience serving as the primary liaison with federal agencies, Tribal governments, governing boards, and external stakeholders on healthcare operations, funding, regulatory compliance, and strategic initiatives.
• Healthcare Regulatory Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of applicable federal healthcare laws and regulations, including HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid requirements, HRSA and IHS program requirements, quality assurance standards, credentialing, and applicable accreditation standards.
• Financial Management Experience: Demonstrated experience developing and managing healthcare operating budgets, financial reporting, revenue cycle oversight, third-party reimbursement, and maximizing available federal healthcare funding.
• Policy Development Experience: Experience drafting and implementing healthcare operational policies, administrative procedures, governance recommendations, and organizational best practices.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with Tribal leadership, governing boards, healthcare providers, employees, patients, community stakeholders, and federal officials.
• Problem-Solving Ability: Proven ability to stabilize healthcare operations during periods of organizational transition while maintaining continuity of patient care and regulatory compliance.
• Professional Reputation: Demonstrated record of integrity, professionalism, ethical leadership, and successful executive performance within Tribal healthcare or comparable public healthcare organizations.
• Availability: Ability to devote sufficient time during the initial 13-week engagement to provide consistent on-site leadership, supplemented by remote availability as needed, and to assist in ensuring a smooth transition to permanent leadership.

Contract Terms

The selected Contractor will enter into ANSBI’s standard form of consulting agreement as an independent contractor. The agreement will be governed by Navajo Nation law and will be for a 13-week (approximately 3-month) term, extendable by agreement of the Parties in writing. Contractor fees shall be invoiced on a 1/4 hour basis, to be paid monthly within fifteen (15) business days of submittal (if not objected to by ANSBI). The selected Contractor will be required to indemnify ANSBI for Contractor’s negligence and intentional malfeasance, up to the limits of Contractor’s professional liability and/or general commercial liability insurance ($1 million occurrence, $2 million aggregate). ANSBI will remain responsible for its own negligence and intentional wrongful conduct; however, as a tribal organization under the ISDEAA, ANSBI is covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act and is unable to and shall not indemnify Contractor.

Cost Proposal and Budget

The Cost Proposal and Budget provided by Contractors shall be based on 40 hours per week for a 13-week term (approximately 3 months), including the hourly fee for Contractor and anticipated expenses, which may include reasonable travel and miscellaneous expenses. Travel and expenses shall not exceed GSA limits. Cost proposals must also include applicable sales or gross receipts tax. Services provided to ANSBI on the Navajo Nation are subject to the 6% Navajo Nation Sales Tax and are not subject to state gross receipts tax, sales tax, or equivalent taxes. Cost Proposals and Budget must state a Total Contract Amount for the 13-week (approximately 3-month) term.