Purpose:

The Chief Health Officer (CHO) is a member of Neighborcare Health’s Executive Leadership Team, responsible for leading the strategic direction to ensure high quality health care services to patients across Neighborcare Health. Working collaboratively across a multi-disciplinary health care delivery organization, the CHO is accountable for the clinical quality, standards of care, patient safety, privileging, clinical service integration, clinical workflow standardization, pharmacy services and population health management. In addition, the CHO leads the strategic direction for the design and implementation of highly effective clinical, education and training programs in affiliation with educational institutions to advance the mission of Neighborcare Health and improve outcomes in quality, service and stewardship.

We offer competitive pay, an excellent benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and more!

Primary Responsibilities:

• Ensure that evidence-based clinical practice standards, protocols, leadership and direction are in place to provide high quality integrated whole person patient care within a multi-disciplinary health care delivery organization.

• Drive strategies across the organization to achieve Neighborcare Health’s strategic imperatives through short- and long-term objectives.
• Provide strategic direction for developing evidence-based clinical initiatives that focus on improvement of clinical, quality and patient safety outcomes measures.
• Advocate for Neighborcare Health within local and state professional societies and maintain membership in appropriate professional organizations, particularly those which exist to improve access to health care for all populations.
• Ensure Neighborcare Health’s clinical programs meet the highest standards of care using evidence-based, community standard or best practice care models, and ensures consistency across clinic sites.
• Represent Neighborcare Health at site reviews, public hearings, external provider meetings such as hospitals, regional NWRPC, WACHC and health care committees as appropriate.
• Co-design, build, and maintain Quality, Quality Assurance, and clinical safety programs that reduce patient risk and improve safety and quality outcomes.
• Set the standards for health equity, clinical practice, programs, and providers in order to achieve excellence in patient experience, safety, clinical quality and provider productivity.
• Develop and maintain an effective provider performance management system and ensure consistent utilization throughout the clinical teams.
• Responsible for hiring, performance management, talent development, employee relations, mentoring, recognition and training of staff by providing effective leadership.
• Oversee clinical training and professional development programs for providers and quality leaders.
• Manage and evolve the continuing education program for providers.
• Continuously evaluate and improve processes and procedures to streamline and enhance clinical operations.
• Ensure system for provider coverage at all clinical sites is adequate and after-hours coverage is in place and effective.
• Maintain a clinical practice at Neighborcare Health providing primary care clinical practice services.
• Perform any other job-related duties requested by the Chief Executive Officer.

Key Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead organizational development initiatives with strong patient and community orientation.
• Demonstrated innovative and visionary leadership in clinical excellence, patient engagement, improved patient experience, and integrated care model design and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to set vision, foster and drive excellence and continuous improvement in population health management.
• Awareness, knowledge and respect for the health and socioeconomic needs of low-income, underserved populations and diverse patients served by Neighborcare Health.
• Strong knowledge of leadership best practices; expertise and success in developing others through influence, mentorship and management.
• Strong business and analytical skills specific to the healthcare environment. Deep understanding of clinical practice and quality improvement strategies.
• Strong listening skills. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence and demonstrated self-awareness in working with others; operate with integrity while maintaining confidentiality and discretion.
• Communicate effectively to support decision-making, setting and managing expectations, and fostering team commitment to shared outcomes.
• Demonstrated business acumen, meaning the ability to ask for and consume information needed to strengthen and improve health care delivery and the organization.
• Seek to problem solve with creativity and smart innovation utilizing process leadership and organizational management experience.
• Understanding of, and familiarity with, public policy related to the delivery of primary care services.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles and practice of process improvement to achieve health care system and organizational excellence.
• Strong interpersonal and cultural competency skills and the ability to form and maintain positive, collaborative relationships and utilize effective conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to lead, guide and direct staff members to uphold organization service and behavioral standards.
• Lead while ensuring that clinical compliance requirements are met throughout the organization. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with staff, key stakeholders with diverse racial, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of and skill in the use of office-based desk top computer software and modern office-based technologies.
• Knowledge of and ability to work collaboratively with community organizations.

Required qualifications for this position include:

• Doctoral degree (MD or DO) from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathic medicine and completion of residency. Active, unencumbered Washington License for practice and board certification in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine.
• Minimum of five (5) years clinical experience post-residency.
• Minimum five (5) years management experience and clinical experience in a primary care setting.
• Experience overseeing both medical and behavioral health services.
• Experience working with an Electronic Health Record.
• Experience with and/or understanding of the issues facing Community Health Centers.
• Experience working in a union environment is preferred.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

• Master’s in Health Administration, Public Health, or equivalent.

Our Mission

The mission of Neighborcare Health is to provide comprehensive health care to families and individuals who have difficulty accessing care; respond with sensitivity to the needs of our culturally diverse patients; and advocate and work with others to improve the overall health status of the communities we serve.

About our Service Commitments

Our service commitments were created b staff members, leaders, board members and patients. We use these as a guide and expectation for how we treat our patients and each other. You may learn more about our service commitments here, https://neighborcare.org/about-us/service-commitments/

• Serving patients
• Serving each other
• A warm welcome
• Caring
• Respect
• Working together
• Trusting Relationship

About us

For 50 years, Neighborcare Health has been caring for our neighbors with essential medical and dental care, counseling, outreach, health education and more in Seattle, Vashon, and our newest dental clinic in Olympia! Our purpose is to improve health by engaging, educating, and empowering people in the communities we serve. We are looking to hire the best talent to support our culturally diverse workplace and community.

Union: No

Full job description will be provided during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)