Assistant Medical Director

COWLITZ INDIAN TRIBE • Vancouver, WA

3d • $310,856 - $388,544 • Onsite

About The Position

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is seeking an experienced physician leader to serve as Assistant Medical Director for NorthStar, our Opioid Treatment Program located in Vancouver, Washington. This position offers a unique opportunity to practice addiction medicine while helping lead a growing, mission-driven treatment program through a collaborative Dyad Model of Clinic Leadership. In this model, clinical and operational leadership work in partnership to ensure the delivery of exceptional patient care, regulatory excellence, workforce development, and organizational success. As Assistant Medical Director, you will serve as a key member of this leadership structure, partnering closely with the Medical Director and OneTogether Solutions leadership team to advance the clinic's mission and long-term vision. This leadership role is ideal for a physician who enjoys influencing both patient care and program development, and who values collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Position Summary: This position plays a critical role in maintaining high standards of patient care, operational excellence, and regulatory readiness while helping ensure the clinic remains responsive to the evolving needs of patients and the community. Responsibilities include supporting clinical operations, guiding quality improvement initiatives, assisting with provider oversight and development, participating in regulatory and accreditation activities, and serving as a clinical resource for staff. The Assistant Medical Director may act on behalf of the Medical Director as delegated and serves as a key contributor to strategic and operational decision-making. The role is anticipated to be allocated approximately: 50% Leadership, Operations, Quality, and Program Oversight 50% Direct Patient Care This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive. The Leadership Opportunity As a member of the clinic's leadership team, the Assistant Medical Director helps support: Clinical quality, safety, and evidence-based addiction treatment practices. Regulatory compliance with SAMHSA, DEA, accreditation, federal, state, and organizational requirements. Opioid Treatment Program oversight, including methadone treatment services. Provider recruitment, mentorship, onboarding, and retention. Patient access, engagement, retention, and treatment outcomes. Performance improvement, risk management, and clinical quality initiatives. Program growth and the continued development of integrated, whole-person care services. A culture of collaboration, accountability, respect, and patient-centered care. Why Join NorthStar? NorthStar provides comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for individuals living with substance use disorders through a harm-reduction and recovery-oriented model of care. As Assistant Medical Director, you will have the opportunity to: Make a meaningful impact on individuals, families, and communities affected by opioid use disorder. Help shape the future direction of a growing Opioid Treatment Program. Partner with experienced clinical, operational, and executive leaders. Practice at the top of your license while maintaining an active patient panel. Contribute to an organization committed to whole-person, integrated healthcare and continuous innovation.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited institution.
• Successful completion of an accredited residency program.
• Current unrestricted medical license in the state of practice.
• DEA registration and authority to prescribe controlled substances.
• Board certification in Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry required.
• Ability to successfully credential with all Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers.
• Five (5) years of clinical experience in addiction medicine or substance use disorder treatment.
• Experience with medication-assisted treatment, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required clinical privileges.
• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education, and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within an Opioid Treatment Program preferred.
• Experience working in primary or urgent care clinics.
• One (1) to three (3) years of clinical leadership, medical oversight, or supervisory experience preferred.
• BLS/ACLS: If required by the clinic, include the applicable certification.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical operations.
• Guide quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist with provider oversight and development.
• Participate in regulatory and accreditation activities.
• Serve as a clinical resource for staff.
• Act on behalf of the Medical Director as delegated.
• Serve as a key contributor to strategic and operational decision-making.
• Support clinical quality, safety, and evidence-based addiction treatment practices.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with SAMHSA, DEA, accreditation, federal, state, and organizational requirements.
• Provide Opioid Treatment Program oversight, including methadone treatment services.
• Manage provider recruitment, mentorship, onboarding, and retention.
• Oversee patient access, engagement, retention, and treatment outcomes.
• Lead performance improvement, risk management, and clinical quality initiatives.
• Contribute to program growth and the continued development of integrated, whole-person care services.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, respect, and patient-centered care.
• Make a meaningful impact on individuals, families, and communities affected by opioid use disorder.
• Help shape the future direction of a growing Opioid Treatment Program.
• Partner with experienced clinical, operational, and executive leaders.
• Practice at the top of your license while maintaining an active patient panel.
• Contribute to an organization committed to whole-person, integrated healthcare and continuous innovation.

Benefits

• Tribal preference in accordance with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions.
• All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree