Chair, MD/DO Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

UnitedHealth Group•Boston, MA

8d•$240,500 - $394,500•Remote

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Executive Chair, Primary Care, the Chair provides clinical leadership for the Behavioral Health Division for Optum MA. The role aligns clinical activities and initiatives with access, service, and quality standards and implements mission-specific strategies and departmental initiatives in collaboration with colleagues, staff, leaders, patients, and the community. The Chair is an actively practicing clinician and role model who promotes accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement, and helps the organization adapt to change. The Chair oversees clinical care and departmental operations, including quality and safety, population health, utilization, care coordination, staffing, recruitment, mentoring, performance management, regulatory compliance, and budgets. The position supervises physicians, Advanced Practice Clinicians, Behavioral Health clinicians, and other assigned staff; maintains adequate clinical office and on-call coverage; and is accountable for the division’s financial performance. The Chair also develops and oversees business and marketing plans and programs, works with operational leaders to improve practice support, and represents the practice in community partnerships. For candidates located in Massachusetts, the role offers flexibility to work remotely. Remote employees must adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy. Compensation generally ranges from $240,500 to $394,500, including base pay and bonus, with compensation dependent on factors such as labor markets, education, and work experience. Benefits include a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, an equity stock purchase plan, and a 401(k) contribution, subject to eligibility requirements. Candidates must pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Requirements

Board certified and fully licensed in Massachusetts; credentialed in the clinical role and actively practicing in the specialty.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS).
At least 5 years of experience and skills as a well-respected clinician; 3–5 years may be preferred in larger departments or areas.
Clinician supervisory experience, including coaching, feedback, goal-setting, and performance evaluation.
Business planning and operational experience.
Demonstrated experience managing complex matrix organizations in healthcare.
Understanding of managed care, fee-for-service medical practice, and the changing healthcare industry.
Demonstrated leadership fostering continuous process improvement.
Inquiring, analytical, and independent thinking; respectful and engaging approach to staff; and commitment to continuous improvement and transformational excellence.
Excellent public presentation, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a clinician leader, such as a chief, chair, medical director, or equivalent.
Proven leadership experience or training.
Knowledge of utilization management, quality management, and finance.

Responsibilities

Ensure patients receive high-quality, patient-centered, and safe care.
Lead clinical execution of organizational goals and communicate expectations and objectives to staff.
Encourage staff acceptance of initiatives and translate initiatives into practical applications.
Promote population health strategies and strong patient outcomes and performance metrics.
Work with community organizations to identify opportunities to improve patient health.
Promote appropriate use of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other inpatient and outpatient services; coordinate with colleagues on utilization targets and internal referrals.
Monitor clinicians’ use of internal and external services and provide performance profiles, feedback, education, and retraining as needed.
Promote collaborative working relationships, manage conflicts, and support a team-based work environment.
Supervise physicians, Advanced Practice Clinicians, Behavioral Health clinicians, and other assigned staff; provide orientation and mentoring.
Ensure adequate clinical office and on-call coverage and assess staffing needs.
Provide business leadership, contribute to departmental budget matters, and remain accountable for the Behavioral Health Division’s financial performance.
Promote a service-oriented, inclusive, cost-effective, and productive culture and recognize staff contributions.
Maintain an active clinical practice.
Establish and communicate regional standards of care and oversee clinical guidelines, protocols, and coordination of care, including involving patients in care-plan decisions.
Oversee development of business and marketing plans and programs; monitor their impact, including marketing, community relations, employer outreach, and provider partnerships.
Analyze work processes and coordinate planning and corrective actions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Oversee clinician recruitment, staffing needs, productivity standards, orientation, compensation systems, satisfaction, retention, and morale.
Evaluate and mentor clinicians and staff in clinical and managerial skills; recruit, train, evaluate, set goals, and hold direct reports accountable.
Direct personnel activities, including scheduling, performance evaluations, training, and recommendations regarding hiring, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, and termination; resolve grievances and personnel problems.
Develop and recommend operating and capital budgets, manage activities to meet financial goals, monitor expenditures, and resolve discrepancies.
Coordinate task assignments and help resolve technical and operational problems; evaluate whether solutions achieve goals.
Provide direction and leadership to staff, support teamwork and motivation, and integrate departmental efforts with organization-wide initiatives.
Ensure regulatory compliance and maintain procedures required to meet regulatory requirements.
Ensure compliance with policies and programs covering quality assurance, safety, and infection control.
Ensure assigned areas have adequate equipment and supplies.
Perform other duties as assigned.