Deaconess Emergency Medicine System Medical Director

Position Summary

The position facilitates communication and understanding among the various clinical components of the Deaconess Emergency Department assuring the provision of high quality care to the patients served by our institution. The EM Systems Medical Director provides medical perspective, knowledge, experience, and leadership to all parts of Deaconess Emergency Departments and communication between the physicians and administrative leadership. The EM Systems Medical Director is part of the Emergency Department Leadership team and is primarily responsible for carrying out these duties as they relate to Emergency Department Physicians. The definition of Emergency Department Leadership may vary from time to time and assignment of the EM Systems Medical Director responsibilities will be defined in the current organizational chart.

This is a position that provides substantial input into the direction and operations of the Emergency Department and its relationships with Deaconess Health System. It has a wide range of involvements from liaison duties with physicians to the development of patient safety initiatives.

The EM Systems Medical Director will work closely in these responsibilities with the Senior Vice President, Director, Site Medical Directors, and Practice Manager. When directed they are to carry out their duties in other areas of the Emergency Department.

Duties and Responsibilities

To foster patient centered medical care with the aim of developing better care, resulting in better outcomes and lower costs. Helping establish efficient work flows, practice protocols and guidelines for managing patient care in emergency services. Advocating, monitoring, and maintaining a system that provides feedback to providers, individually and collectively, with regard to their cost effectiveness, assisting them to achieve selected utilization, cost and quality outcomes and (among other things) financial goals.

Working jointly with the Operational Leadership Team; takes the lead clinical role in formulating and implementing Deaconess patient care strategy ensuring that the range services provided is appropriate and sustainable and that any proposed changes and developments are clinically sound, and economically efficient.

Assist with the recruitment of practitioners to the community and provide direction for new service and program opportunities. Assist with the orientation and evaluation of new physicians to Deaconess.

Provide all physicians with regular follow-up in regards to performance in terms of quality metrics, patient satisfaction, working well with the medical team and productivity metrics. Serve as a guide to new physicians to help them transition successfully to become a successful part of the Emergency Department and contribute to Deaconess’ success. When a provider is found to have performance deficiencies, it is the responsibility of the EM Systems Medical Director to work with, mentor and help address deficiencies directly or to otherwise insure the help needed is provided.

Conducts performance reviews during any probation and/or initial contract renewal periods, and provides summary report for appropriate Board review and consideration within six (6) months prior to contract renewal/notice requirements.

Contribute to the development and implementation of the Deaconess long term vision, strategic direction and governance arrangements. Oversee the professional environment required to promote high quality patient care and sound business operations both financially and personally for physicians, and conductive to the delivery of the Hospital’s clinical strategy and wider objectives and values.

Assist the Senior Vice President in assuring that all required professional, clinical and administrative policies and procedures are followed by Emergency Department Providers, including but not limited to, completion of medical records, appropriateness of clinical care, charge/encounter submission, coding, availability on call, and continuing medical education. Ensure procedures are in place for the direct reporting of observations and/or concerns from staff or fellow physicians regarding conduct, performance or behavior of a physician that is potentially hazardous to patient safety.

As appropriate ensure communication with physicians and midlevel providers regarding patient complaints with recommended solutions. As appropriate communicate with all patients making complaints and inform Emergency Department administration regarding specific complaints. Ensure that appropriate chart review, history from complainant, provider or other involved party(ies) is carried out and that just handling of any complaints is completed. This will be done by a Medical Director and/or the Patient Relations & Reporting Specialist or qualified designee.

Assist the physician coding team in review and communication of issues related to physician coding and compliance with standards of documentation and billing.

Work with the Emergency Department Administrative team on all relevant risk management matters. Works cooperatively with the DHS Risk Manager in regards to medical malpractice actions or potential actions against physicians of the Emergency Department.

Maintain regular communication with key leaders in the Health System to represent the Emergency Department and the providers. This includes but is not limited to, EPIC leadership, members of pharmacy/MTM, risk management, hospitalist leadership, residency program, and business development. The EM Systems Medical Director along with the Senior VP will regularly communicate Health System information to the Emergency Department providers to assist the engagement and alignment of the Emergency Department providers to the Health system goals and vision.

Regular attendance and representation of Deaconess Emergency Department at Leadership level meetings and committees which involve decisions which affect the operations and direction of the Emergency Department.

Facilitate and lead Emergency Department Leadership Council meetings.

Direct Reports

The EM Systems Medical Director serves as the principal interface between Emergency Department Physicians and mid-level practitioners and the administration of Deaconess Health System. Functions such as quality improvement, clinical performance improvement and compliance for Emergency Department are also direct responsibilities. EM Systems Medical Director will work with the EM Site Medical Directors to oversee all of the above duties.

The EM Systems Medical Director works in a dyad relationship with the Director of Emergency Department Physicians.

Reporting Relationships

The Medical Director reports directly to the Senior Vice President.

Candidates may formally apply via this career site or forward resume/cv to Bob Scheller, HR Advisor at bob.scheller@deaconess.com