Director-Government Operations

Baptist•Memphis, TN

About The Position

Provides systemwide leadership for regulatory planning, governmental approvals, licensure, Medicare and Medicaid enrollment, and accreditation support across Baptist’s hospitals, outpatient departments, physician practices, hospices, pharmacies, and affiliates. Serves as an agency liaison and advises leaders across executive, legal, compliance, clinical, operational, financial, quality, revenue cycle, and facilities functions on requirements, risks, and approval pathways. Directs regulatory support for new services, acquisitions and changes of ownership, provider-based arrangements, facility construction and renovation, equipment changes, and other strategic initiatives. Ensures timely approvals, accurate records, and compliance with federal and state requirements in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and other Baptist jurisdictions. Upholds Baptist’s mission, vision, values, and principles through integrity, collaboration, accountability, patient safety, service, and regulatory excellence. Works for and in coordination with the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel regarding essential functions related to regulatory planning, governmental approvals, licensure, provider enrollment, and accreditation support. Has direct line accountability for direct reports and serves as a liaison providing guidance to Baptist leaders, designated project teams, and key stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public administration, health policy, public health, or a related field.
At least seven years of progressively outcome-oriented experience in healthcare regulatory affairs, government operations, hospital administration, compliance, facility planning, accreditation, provider enrollment, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience with healthcare facility licensure and governmental approvals.
Experience in at least two of the following: Medicare or Medicaid enrollment, Certificate of Need or comparable state approval processes, provider-based operations, healthcare facility planning, accreditation, acquisitions or changes of ownership, or complex regulatory project management.
Advanced knowledge of healthcare regulatory planning, facility and equipment licensure, CMS requirements, Medicare certification, Medicaid enrollment, provider-based requirements, and Certificate of Need or comparable state approval processes.
Working knowledge of PECOS, NPPES, PS&R, Medicare Administrative Contractors, state Medicaid systems, NCPDP, and related federal and state enrollment, identity, access, and reporting processes.
Knowledge of healthcare facility design, construction, renovation, and occupancy requirements, including FGI guidance, Joint Commission standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, NFPA 99 and NFPA 101, infection-control considerations, and state plan-review and inspection processes.
Ability to interpret statutes, regulations, standards, policies, technical documents, and evolving agency guidance with Legal and Compliance; assess clinical, operational, financial, facility, and reimbursement implications; and recommend practical solutions.
Strong leadership, project management, analytical, writing, presentation, record-management, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and deadlines across jurisdictions while maintaining accuracy, discretion, confidentiality, and professional judgment.
Ability to collaborate effectively with executives, attorneys, clinicians, governmental officials, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with multi-hospital or multi-state systems, facility activation or construction/renovation, or provider-based operations.
Certification or advanced training in healthcare compliance, healthcare quality, healthcare facilities, project management, accreditation, life safety, FGI, NFPA, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

Direct regulatory planning, facility and equipment licensure, certification, and governmental approvals across Baptist entities.
Develop coordinated regulatory strategies for complex, cross-entity initiatives; identify approval dependencies, sequence required actions, and advise leadership on options, timing, and risks.
Lead Certificate of Need, determination-of-reviewability, exemption, Permit of Approval, and comparable processes, including applications, hearings, and required follow-up reports.
Analyze changes in statutes, regulations, standards, and agency guidance with Legal and Compliance; assess implications and recommend actions to leadership.
Review new services, provider-based arrangements, facility projects, and equipment changes for licensure, enrollment, accreditation, life-safety, and operational-readiness requirements; coordinate with stakeholders to address risks before implementation.
Oversee Medicare and Medicaid enrollment, revalidation, and updates related to locations, acquisitions, changes of ownership, and other organizational changes; maintain accurate information and authorized access in applicable systems.
Liaise with regulatory agencies, payers, and accrediting bodies to resolve applications, inspections, surveys, and approval issues.
Coordinate regulatory submissions, renewals, surveys, and inspections; support responses to findings, corrective actions, and approval conditions.
Maintain regulatory records and tracking tools; analyze approval status, deadlines, conditions, and risks; report exceptions and recommended actions to leadership.
Educate leaders, project teams, and stakeholders regarding changes in state and federal programs, enrollment processes, systems, and requirements.
Supervise, coach, and evaluate Government Operations team members; set priorities and ensure timely, accurate work.
Manage assigned departmental and project budgets, filing fees, consultants, contracts, and external resources in accordance with Baptist approval requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned or directed.
Travel as needed to meet regulatory and operational requirements.