Director of Pre-Hospital Services

University of Missouri Health Care • Columbia, MO

12d • $133,945 - $218,511 • Onsite

About The Position

MU Health Care is seeking a seasoned, senior-level EMS leader to serve as Director of Prehospital Services — a role that reflects both the scope and ambition of one of Missouri's most comprehensive pre-hospital systems. This Director will oversee five distinct departments: a ground ambulance service that responded to more than 18,000 calls in 2025; a helicopter air-medical transport program operating bases across the region; Children's Critical Care Transport; an accredited EMS Education department with five satellite locations; and an expanding Community Paramedic/Mobile Integrated Health program.
The ideal candidate has served as an administrator with comprehensive responsibility for an EMS system: overseeing budgets, strategic planning, clinical quality, regulatory compliance, workforce development, and billing. They understand what it means to lead through complexity, build partnerships across healthcare and government systems, and be accountable for outcomes across multiple service lines simultaneously.
This is not an entry point into EMS leadership — it is a destination for those who have already proven themselves at the helm of a full-scale EMS operation. If you are energized by the challenge of elevating an already high-performing prehospital system within a major academic medical center — and you have the leadership track record to back it — we want to hear from you.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a health or business related field.
• Master's degree in business or a health-related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities can be acquired.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in a healthcare environment.
• Paramedic (EMT-P or EMT-CP) licensure by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) OR Missouri Board of Nursing RN or Nurse Licensure Compact multi-state RN. When primary state of residency changes, compact state RNs must apply under new state of residency within thirty (30) days.

Nice To Haves

• Experience serving as an EMS System Director, Chief, or equivalent executive with full administrative authority over a high-volume EMS operation (10,000+ annual responses preferred)
• Demonstrated experience with EMS program oversight inclusive of budget management, strategic planning, workforce management, and regulatory compliance
• Experience leading or overseeing an accredited EMS education program
• Familiarity with air-medical operations, Mobile Integrated Health/Community Paramedicine programs, or inter-facility transport coordination

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains policies and procedures associated with pre-hospital personnel.
• Oversees contracts and clinical agreements for supported areas, ensuring compliance, service alignment, and operational continuity.
• Coordinates the setup and management of satellite locations to support strategic growth and access to care.
• Manages billing functions and ensures revenue integrity for pre-hospital and other billable patient visits.
• Leads and innovates on staffing models, care delivery, and billing processes to support current and future service development.
• Coaches staff to foster continued growth and professional development.
• Maintains standards of care utilizing clinically appropriate benchmarks set by regulatory, licensing, or specialty organizations.
• Ensures staff meet all standards and regulatory requirements for accrediting bodies, state, and federal agencies.
• Interprets and applies complex healthcare regulations related to air and ground medical transport, EMS education, and controlled substance administration.
• Provides oversight for compliance with federal and state regulations, including DEA/BNDD licensing, CLIA certifications, ground ambulance, air ambulance, and training entity state licenses.
• Maintains accreditation readiness for CAMTS, CoAEMSP/CAAHEP, and other governing bodies.
• Intercedes with families and/or patients to resolve concerns related to the delivery of pre-hospital care services.
• Evaluates the quality and effectiveness of practices using appropriate data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborates with local EMS services, Emergency Departments, and internal MU Health Care departments to support positive working relationships.
• Develops and maintains community and professional relationships integral to pre-hospital services success.
• Serves as liaison to regional EMS councils, state advisory bodies, and interagency partners to support coordinated system development and strategic collaboration.
• Develops systems to ensure achievement and maintenance of departmental metrics and integration with system-led initiatives.
• Communicates effectively with and leads multidisciplinary teams in pre-hospital services.
• Develops budgets in collaboration with department leadership and monitors expenditures to maintain operational costs within budget.
• Develops, coordinates, and maintains daily staffing schedules to ensure the appropriate level of unit coverage and continuity of care.
• Monitors time and attendance in alignment with MU Health Care policies and practices, ensuring accuracy of records and timely submittal/approval for payroll purposes.
• May complete unit/department-specific duties as outlined in department documents.

Benefits

• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays
• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years
• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior