System Medical Director of Employee Health

About the role

The Medical Director of Employee Health provides system-level clinical leadership and oversight for employee health services across WVU Health System. This physician leader is responsible for advancing a comprehensive, evidence-based employee health program that promotes the health, safety, and well-being of the Health System's workforce while supporting regulatory compliance, infection prevention, occupational health, workforce readiness, and organizational resilience. The Medical Director partners with Human Resources, Infection Prevention and Control, Employee Relations, Occupational Health, Risk Management, Quality and Patient Safety, Medical Staff leadership, and operational leaders across WVU Health System to establish consistent employee health standards, policies, clinical practices, and performance expectations. This role will provide strategic direction for employee health services across hospitals, ambulatory locations, physician practices, post-acute services, and other WVU Health System entities. The Medical Director will serve as a subject matter expert and physician resource for issues involving occupational medicine, communicable diseases, employee exposures, workplace health and safety, vaccination programs, employee medical clearance, and other workforce health matters. The Medical Director will also help shape the future of employee health as a strategic component of workforce retention, employee engagement, safety, and organizational performance. The position is expected to require 80% administrative effort with the remaining 20% effort devoted to clinical practice.

Responsibilities

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• System Employee Health Leadership: Provide physician leadership and clinical oversight for the WVU Health System employee health program. Develop and maintain a systemwide vision, strategy, and operating framework for employee health services. Establish consistent clinical standards, protocols, policies, and evidence-based practices across the Health System while allowing for appropriate local operational differences. Partner with executive and operational leadership to identify emerging employee health needs and develop proactive strategies. Serve as a system-level physician advisor and subject matter expert regarding workforce health and occupational medicine. Evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, quality, and efficiency of employee health services across the enterprise.
• Occupational and Employee Health: Provide clinical guidance related to employee medical evaluations, work-related injuries and illnesses, occupational exposures, communicable diseases, and return-to-work determinations. Provide oversight and guidance for employee health screening and medical surveillance programs based on regulatory, occupational, and clinical requirements. Establish appropriate protocols for pre-placement and post-offer health assessments, immunization requirements, respiratory protection, tuberculosis screening, bloodborne pathogen exposures, and other occupational health requirements. Develop and maintain evidence-based protocols for the management of employee exposures to infectious diseases, hazardous materials, blood and body fluids, and other workplace risks. Provide physician consultation for complex employee health cases and fitness-for-duty concerns. Collaborate with appropriate leaders regarding reasonable restrictions, work accommodations, and safe return-to-work processes while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and regulatory compliance.
• Infection Prevention and Workforce Safety: Partner closely with Infection Prevention and Control to develop and implement strategies that protect employees and patients from communicable diseases and occupational exposures. Provide physician leadership during outbreaks, emerging infectious disease events, and other workforce health emergencies. Provide guidance regarding employee vaccination programs and immunization requirements. Participate in system preparedness and response planning for pandemics, emerging infectious diseases, and other public health events. Collaborate with Workplace Safety, Risk Management, and other stakeholders to identify and mitigate occupational health risks.
• Clinical Governance and Standardization: Establish clinical governance structures and accountability for employee health services throughout WVU Health System. Develop systemwide clinical guidelines and protocols based on current evidence, regulatory requirements, and applicable professional standards. Monitor adherence to employee health standards and identify opportunities for improvement. Establish appropriate quality, safety, access, and clinical performance metrics. Review employee health outcomes and trends and make recommendations to improve workforce health and safety.
• Employee Wellness and Population Health: Collaborate with Human Resources, Benefits, Population Health, and other leaders to align employee health strategies with broader workforce well-being initiatives. Identify opportunities to improve employee health, reduce preventable illness and injury, and support a healthy workforce. Support initiatives addressing workforce health risks, absenteeism, injury prevention, and employee well-being. Use workforce health data and population health principles to identify opportunities for targeted interventions. Promote an employee health philosophy focused on prevention, early intervention, accessibility, and evidence-based care.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Develop strong partnerships with HR leadership, hospital and practice leadership, nursing leadership, medical staff leaders, Infection Prevention, Employee Relations, Risk Management, Legal, Quality, Safety, and other system functions. Serve as a trusted clinical advisor to senior leadership on employee health issues. Participate in relevant system committees and leadership forums. Build effective relationships with local employee health leaders, occupational health providers, and other clinical partners. Facilitate communication and collaboration among employee health teams across WVU Health System. Promote a culture in which employee health and safety are viewed as integral to patient safety and organizational success.
• Regulatory and Compliance: Ensure employee health programs are designed and operated consistent with applicable federal and state laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements. Maintain awareness of requirements from organizations and agencies including OSHA, CDC, CMS, The Joint Commission, state health authorities, and other applicable regulatory bodies. Provide clinical guidance related to regulatory surveys, audits, and employee health compliance. Partner with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and HR to appropriately address complex employee health matters.
• Data, Analytics and Continuous Improvement: Establish meaningful employee health dashboards and performance measures. Monitor trends in occupational injuries, exposures, communicable diseases, vaccination compliance, employee health encounters, work restrictions, and other relevant indicators. Use data to identify opportunities for prevention, standardization, cost reduction, and improved workforce outcomes. Lead or sponsor continuous improvement initiatives within employee health services. Evaluate opportunities to leverage technology and integrated data systems to improve employee health access, documentation, communication, and reporting.
• Education and Professional Development: Provide education to physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, managers, and employees regarding occupational health and workforce safety. Develop educational programs addressing emerging employee health issues and occupational risks. Promote evidence-based clinical practice and professional development among employee health clinicians. Represent WVU Health System at professional, academic, and community forums as appropriate.
• Leadership Expectations: The Medical Director is expected to demonstrate visible, credible physician leadership; promote a culture of safety, service, accountability, and respect; build consensus across a complex, integrated health system; balance clinical excellence with administrative responsibilities.

Requirements

• Education, Certification, and/or Licensure: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)