Medical Director in Community Health

Unity Care NW (UCNW) is seeking a mission-centered, collaborative and strategic Medical Director to lead the Medical Program and ensure provision of high-quality medical care across the organization. This role will also spend a portion of their time providing direct patient care.

Compensation:

• Salary, exempt
• The standard wage range for this role is $260,457-$325,561 per year
• Opportunity for progression, based on performance, to earn up to $390,665 per year
• Sign-On/Relocation Bonus (subject to payback clause)

Who We Are

Established in 1982, Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to serving Whatcom County, Washington. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services. Employing over 300 caring and compassionate employees, our vision is that everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. To learn more about our organization and the services we provide, please visit our website at https://unitycarenw.org/. 

What We Value

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

With a rich history of being shaped by the community we serve, UCNW values cross-organizational collaboration and innovation. UCNW staff strive to demonstrate our values in the workplace with one another and in all aspects of patient care. Our team of highly talented, mission-oriented individuals is deeply committed to serving with compassion and excellence. 

Ideal Candidate

UCNW is seeking a leader who can build on our strong foundation of clinical excellence and community trust. In addition to the qualifications below, the ideal candidate would embody:

• Mission-Driven Leadership: A deep, personal commitment to the community health model and the community we serve.
• Empathetic Excellence: Someone who leads with heart, values our staff’s expertise, and fosters a culture of belonging.
• Commitment to Clinical Quality and Operational Excellence: Someone who uses data to improve patient outcomes and provider performance and partners closely with operations and quality to improve workflows, patient access, provider productivity, and the overall patient experience.

Job Summary

The primary responsibilities & duties include:

1. Providing overall leadership and direction to the Medical Program in partnership with the Associate Medical Director(s) and Medical Operations Manager.
2. Leading, supervising, and managing UCNW’s Medical Providers.
3. Providing input to and assuring achievement of the annual quality measures for the department in collaboration with the QI Manager and the Medical Leadership team.
4. Providing strategic leadership and direction to the organization as an active, contributing participant in senior-level planning and management as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
5. Providing professional medical services to patients in conformity with clinical guidelines and protocols, the code of ethics of the American Medical Association, and state and federal laws.

What We Offer

• Collaborative team of staff, providers, and leaders dedicated to exceptional patient care.
• A unique call schedule providing phone consultation to 3rd parties only-–no patient call
• Comprehensive, structured onboarding with gradual transition into both clinical and leadership responsibilities. 
• Dedicated EMR & IT support, including Epic expertise.
• Ambient AI Scribe (DAX) and Dragon for charting
• Access to MAVEN Project to connect with specialists whom you may otherwise not have access
• A fully integrated care model for patients such as integrated behavioral health, psychiatry, SUD treatment, child & family counseling, adult & pediatric dental services, an on-site pharmacy, communicable disease program, case managers, community health workers, referral specialists, insurance enrollment, medical records & other patient support services.

Generous Benefits Including:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(K) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
• 6 paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (160 hours 1st year, 208 hours 2nd year, increasing again at Year 5 & Year 10)
• Malpractice insurance through the Federal Torts Claims Act with tail coverage
• Continuing Education (days & funds)
• Reimbursement of state license, DEA registration & board certification renewal fees
• Sabbatical Leave accrual
• Flexible spending accounts
• Self-funded Health Savings Account on Base Medical Insurance Plan 
• Healthy Living reimbursements
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Transportation Incentives
• Other paid leaves including Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow & Organ Transplant
• Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• Optional insurances including Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Travel & Identity Theft Protection
• Unique benefits, including Medical Hardship Payroll Loans, Employee Referral Bonuses & Will preparation services 

• Active Physician license in Washington State or eligible to receive one per the requirements at Physician and Surgeon | Washington Medical Commission
• In good standing with the Washington State Department of Health’s Department of Health Systems Quality Assurance or with comparable quality assurance departments if licensed in other states 
• Board certified in Family Medicine
• Active DEA registration with no restrictions for Schedules 2, 2N, 3, 3N, 4 and 5 
• 5 or more years’ experience as a Physician
• Prior experience with team-based care models, management of medical operations, and developing and implementing quality improvement programs, preferably in an ambulatory clinic setting.
• Ability to travel for training, collaboration with other organizations & agencies, and oversight of satellite locations, and to other areas of community as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience supervising & mentoring other medical providers

• Experience in a community health center setting working with underserved populations
• Candidates who meet the requirements who have applicable experience or similar qualifications are encouraged to apply!

Where We Live

Bellingham, WA, is a community consistently rated as one of the most desirable in the USA! Nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains just a short distance from Seattle, Vancouver BC, and the San Juan Islands, Bellingham is home to over 97,000 people and surrounded by several charming small towns. Whatcom County, the UCNW service area, has a population of 236,000 people. Enjoy all the area has to offer:                 

• Recreational & Outdoor Activities (Hiking, Biking, Skiing, Snow Boarding, Fishing, Sailing, Kayaking, & Camping)
• Cultural Activities (Theater, Music, Independent Films, Museums, Art Studios, & Diverse Local Restaurants) 
• Small Town or City Living (Unique Shops, Local Festivals, Farmers Markets, Berry Picking, & Community Events)
• Excellent Schools (University, Community College, Technical School, & Outstanding K-12 Educational System)

To Apply

Please click on Unity Care NW - Medical Director in Community Health to apply on our website. In addition to completing the application, please submit your resume and cover letter (2 pages or less) addressing the following:

1. Why are you interested in Unity Care NW and our mission?
2. Summarize your clinical and leadership experience that makes you a good fit for this role.
3. Describe a clinical or operational initiative you led that improved quality, patient outcomes, provider engagement, or organizational performance. What was your role and what were the results?
4. If you live out of the area, please describe your interest in relocating.

Contact Vicki Curtis, Provider Recruiter, at [email protected] or 360-788-2661 with questions. For news on our organization & future job postings, please follow us on LinkedIn at https://bit.ly/363mfhv. If you feel this job posting is missing any required compensation or benefit information, please contact [email protected]. 

Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires all new employees to have up to date vaccines for influenza and strongly encourages up to date vaccines for COVID-19. More information about this program is provided throughout the recruitment process.