Associate Medical Director

I.Position Function Summary

Essential Responsibilities

• Assists the CMO by being involved in the recruitment, retention, and evaluation of medical staff. Assisting with planning and evaluation of primary medical care and service programs.
• Provides input and recommendations to the CMO by providing feedback on the following areas: changes in the program of services; changes in the organization of the workforce; new or proposed changes in existing policies and protocols; and major contractual relationships.
• Assists the CMO in the general administration of the clinics, collaborating on grant requests with the Chief Development officer, medical staff selection, developing of new programs, expansion of existing programs, developing liaisons with other health agencies, providing input regarding billing, accounting, fee schedules, medical records, and statistical reporting and in training of the Board of Directors and advisory boards primary care delivery issues.
• Assists CMO in networking with other health care systems in Northern New Mexico to address comprehensive community health care needs of the area.
• Actively seeks continuing education credits in relevant topics for them self and shares new information and/or techniques with colleagues.
• Cooperates with the CMO, to maintain LFH medical policy and operations manuals and protocols, ensuring that they are current and accurate. As needed, communicates procedures and policies to employees. Collaborates with all primary care providers to revise and update medical protocols.
• Attends and represents medical staff at Quality Risk Management Committee (QRMC) meetings and recommends and implements systems of continuous quality and process improvement.
• Provides leadership to ensure that LFH and its medical department in particular, maintains the highest standards of excellence in customer service by anticipating and responding to needs of members, customers, and internal partners. Proactively works to continuously improve the quality of customer service provided by LFH to its constituents.
• Oversees the CMO peer review, credentialing and privileging process.
• Assists the CMO in overseeing the OB and health ed department and in setting objectives and strategy.
• Assists the CMO in developing efficient work flows for clinicians and maintaining Quality Standards for all Medical Providers.
• Assists the CMO in EMR optimization, evaluating scheduling and access issues and solutions and panel management as well as evaluating safe productivity solutions.
• In the absence of or at the request of the CMO will lead provider meetings and/or attend board or Leadership meetings to provide clinical input and insight into decisions being made.

• Maintains medical practice at LFH as authorized by the medical license and in accordance with the physician job description. Works in are of their specialized medical field in delivery of care to LFH patients; demonstrates differential diagnosis capabilities, makes clinical judgments and decisions base on history and physical exam observations of patients and formulates treatment plan in patient medical records. Evaluates outcomes and modifies treatment plan accordingly.
• Provides primary medical care to patients meeting or exceeding medical encounter treatment requirements, and quality of care standards established by LFH and its grantor agencies.
• Diagnoses and treats illnesses in adults and/or children as authorized by their medical license and in accordance with LFH protocols.
• Consults with the CMO on the delivery of quality medical care to patients.
• Participates in setting medical and nursing standards and protocols for LFH.
• Assists nursing staff with triage of patient telephone calls and questions.
• Charts patient encounters and refers patients for further diagnosis and treatment outside LFH.
• Provides all documents, opinions, diagnoses, recommendations and other evidence and records necessary for the purpose of supporting fees charged for the services provided. Promptly executes such documents to facilitate prompt billing and collection of said professional service.
• Prescribes pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate to assessed medical conditions.
• Refers patients to specialist and to relevant patient care components as appropriate.
• Trains and supervises medical students and residents assigned to LFH to learn medical practices.
• Attends medical and health prevention meetings with LFH and other organizations and programs affiliated with LFH.
• Works with other providers and nursing staff to provide a team approach to patient care; directs and coordinates the patient care activities of nursing and support staff as required.
• Administers medications and injections as required.
• Participates in clinics for special populations, i.e., diabetes, well child, vaccinations.
• Provides educational materials to patients upon discharge from care.
• Actively seeks continuing education credits in relevant topics for themselves as well as medical staff and shares new information and/or techniques with colleagues.
• Follows established LFH departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards; and medical policy and operations protocols; collaborates with CMO and other primary care providers to revise and update medical protocols to ensure that they are current and accurate.
• Coordinates with CMO to request their advice and assistance as required, to confer on problems; to provide advice, assistance and information on the provision of patient care, quality improvement initiatives, and other areas under this area of responsibility.
• Coordinates with other LFH providers as a member of the primary care team to improve their clinic practice and patient care skills.
• Coordinates with other employees to provide leadership as a key member of the primary care team, maintains harmonious, courteous, and understanding relationships, while fostering a collaborative teamwork environment. Exchanges information and job experiences that would be mutually beneficial to each functional area within LFH.
• Coordinates with Christus St. Vincent (CSV) Regional Medical Center, Public Agencies, Community Leaders and Organizations, Other Health Care Providers and Organizations including, private physicians, local hospitals, EMS providers, public health department, and other community health centers, professional groups and associations, etc., and Legal and Regulatory Agencies to build and maintain positive relationship with, and to promote the mission and purpose of LFH.
• Coordinates with Members, Service Area/General Public to provide helpful, courteous assistance and service to LFH members and other customers/constituents, and presents a friendly, courteous image for LFH.
• Follows Customer Service standards to ensure quality service.

• Conducts them self and supervises staff with integrity and professionalism consistent with Workplace Laws, LFMC policy, and the expectations of LFMC leadership. Coordinates with other departments, works effectively with peers, and contributes to management objectives.
• Leads employees to meet LFMC’s performance and continuous quality improvement expectations. With the assistance of Human Resources as necessary, provides effective performance feedback through recognition and corrective or disciplinary action.
• Oversees employee duties and work schedules, including staff leave and department specific training needs. Responds promptly to performance issues. When applicable, assesses and documents staff competencies and addresses deficiencies through appropriate training.
• Appropriately communicates organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, and regular interpersonal communication. Informs employees of new policies and procedure changes. Ensures that employees comply with policies, laws and regulations.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by participating and completing LFMC training and external educational opportunities. Stays informed of policy, compliance and legal expectations affecting department.

II.Competencies and Accountabilities

• Compassion
• Respect
• Integrity
• Quality
• Accountability
• Teamwork

Because position has access to personal and professional data regarding individual employees and their families, personal data regarding individual patients and families, and/or sensitive company financial data, an essential function is the maintenance of a high level of confidentiality of the information processed. Position is required to adhere to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and HITECH Act standards. Violation of this confidence may result in disciplinary action, including involuntary termination of employment.

The Physician has full authority to care out these patient care responsibilities in conformity with established policies and procedures and is encouraged to use initiative and judgment in making decisions, remembering that LFH’s best interest can be affected by their actions. Initiates processes to improve operations and efficiency within areas of responsibility. The physician shall secure approval of the CMO or other appropriate authority in making decisions when policies are not clear or adequate or require interpretation. Job-related decisions and duties are conducted with a high degree of autonomy and have a significant impact on Clinic operations; errors usually affect others. Work is mostly complex; problems addressed are difficult and methods and procedures are defined in some cases, but professional judgment is often required in non-standard situations.

This position has substantial responsibility and substantial authority to make independent decisions over an assigned unit or function; a person in this position regularly takes responsibility for a key operation or function due to their level of skill and/or level of functional supervision.

This position has minimal accountability for budgetary or financial decisions, or for equipment and assets; decisions will have a minimal impact on resources utilization.

Position has limited or temporary functional authority and responsibility for oversight of the work of others as a lead person of a patient care team.

The Physician has functional authority over other LFH provider staff for specific areas of responsibility including but not limited to Joint Commission and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) compliance, and other regular or ad hoc special projects assigned by the CMO or Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The foregoing position description is not all-inclusive of the duties to which the employee may be assigned. In order to ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency and to encourage cross training, employees will be assigned additional duties as are deemed necessary or desirable by LFMC Management or Board of Directors.

I have read my Position Description, understand my assigned responsibilities, and have been given a copy of this Position Description. I understand that I am accountable for compliance with LFMC policies, including its employment policies. I acknowledge that I can contact HR for any information or guidance. I also understand the Board of Directors and management of LFMC cannot guarantee my employment, and that LFMC can change compensation, benefits, and conditions of my employment at any time and at its full and sole discretion. I also certify by my signature below that I am able to perform the essential functions of this position description either with or without a reasonable accommodation.