Field Director - Pathologist Laboratory Accreditation

Joint Commission

33d•$121,000 - $161,000

About The Position

The Field Director for Pathologist Laboratory Accreditation oversees the day-to-day operations of the Joint Commission survey and review process, including field representatives (surveyors and reviewers). The role supports the Joint Commission’s strategy to promote safer, higher-quality, and more equitable care and ensures consistent execution of Accreditation and Certification Operations and Joint Commission strategic priorities. The Field Director works across ACO teams to coordinate effective survey and review scheduling and performance, provide excellent service to accredited and certified organizations, and meet their on-site accreditation and certification needs. The role also provides program-specific expertise to internal and external customers. Pathologists are strongly preferred. The Field Director manages the field representative cadre for assigned programs, including hiring, development, training, performance oversight, and regular observation. The position serves as a subject matter expert on CMS and Joint Commission accreditation standards and as faculty for field representative training. It contributes to strategic planning, budgets, policies, procedures, workforce projections, and the development of standards and survey processes. The position requires at least 40% annual travel, participation in a 24/7 emergency on-call rotation, and service as surveyor or reviewer of record four times per year.

Requirements

Healthcare professional with a clinical or engineering background.
Master’s degree or higher in a healthcare-related field or management.
Clinical licensure in the professional field when applicable.
Five or more years of relevant work experience and/or healthcare leadership.
Knowledge of Joint Commission policies, standards, survey, and accreditation processes.
Strong interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and change-management skills, including the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
Superior knowledge of multiple operational functions and principles, including budgeting and finance, workforce planning, service delivery, productivity, and talent management and engagement.
Demonstrated ability to plan and manage operational processes for maximum efficiency and productivity.
Results-oriented, with demonstrated ability to balance multiple complex tasks and priorities to achieve outcomes.
Working knowledge of the current healthcare landscape.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement activities for a diverse staff.
Ability to lead task forces and teams.
Ability to interact effectively with people at various levels inside and outside the organization, including in sensitive situations.
Effective teaching skills.
Effective problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to identify workforce requirements and skills needed to meet customer needs.
Skill in performance management coaching and counseling techniques.
Ability to travel regularly to observe field representatives.
Ability to travel in the field 40% or more annually.

Nice To Haves

Pathologist background.
Experience as a surveyor.

Responsibilities

Execute Accreditation and Certification Operations short- and long-term goals and plans to ensure healthcare organizations receive the full continuum of accreditation and certification services.
Assist with and provide oversight of field representative performance and improvement activities to promote consistent accreditation and certification processes.
Serve as a subject matter expert on CMS and Joint Commission accreditation standards for assigned programs.
Assist the Senior Director, Field Operations, with developing, securing approval for, administering, and monitoring strategic plans and annual budgets.
Manage the field representative cadre for specific programs, including interviewing, hiring, development, and ensuring each surveyor is observed once every two years.
Establish standards aligned with ACO for effective survey oversight and surveyor and reviewer cadre performance.
Assess field representative performance using management reports, peer evaluation data, organizational evaluations, and direct observations.
Serve as subject matter expert and faculty for initial, continuous, and cross-functional field representative training.
Participate in the emergency 24/7 on-call rotation for field representative support.
Coordinate with scheduling to oversee effective survey and certification operations, including timeliness and budget responsibilities.
Participate in developing division policies and procedures, including the accreditation decision-making process.
Participate in workforce projections to ensure enough competent field representatives with the skills and resources needed to perform effectively, efficiently, and on time.
Model appropriate behavior when interacting with surveyed organizations, field representatives, and central office staff.
Serve as the principal central office contact for field representatives.
Work with the Department of Standards and Survey Methods to develop standards and lead survey process development and refinement.
Represent the Joint Commission to accredited organizations and public and professional organizations.
Act as surveyor or reviewer of record four times per year.
Promote cooperation, flexibility, and teamwork among supervised staff.
Participate in product line team activities and development as appropriate.
Travel regularly to evaluate field staff and serve as surveyor of record.