Director, Pre-Hospital Services

University of Missouri Health Care • Columbia, MO

2d

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.
ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE
MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that’s largely a result of the incredible culture and team we’ve built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger — to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.
Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to seven hospitals, including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions — with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.
Learn more about MU Health Care.
Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

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

• 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
• See a comprehensive list of benefits here.

What This Job Offers

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