Medical Director, Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit – 24-Bed Program

Emory•Atlanta, GA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Emory University is seeking a Medical Director for its 24-Bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU), a key component within a major trauma medical center. This role provides clinical, operational, and strategic leadership for the unit, which primarily serves patients recovering from stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. A significant focus is placed on providing comprehensive rehabilitative care to individuals who are underinsured or lack adequate insurance coverage. The Medical Director will ensure the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and efficient rehabilitation services, working collaboratively with trauma, neurology, acute care, and community health partners.

Requirements

MD/DO with Board Certification in PM&R; eligibility for state licensure.
Minimum 3–5 years of inpatient rehabilitation experience; strong expertise in stroke rehabilitation.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with underserved populations and multidisciplinary teams.
Working knowledge of CMS IRF regulations, documentation standards, and CARF/TJC accreditation processes.

Nice To Haves

Fellowship training in Brain Injury Medicine, Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury or related areas.
Experience with population health, community outreach, or safety-net systems.
Academic, teaching, or research experience, especially related to stroke or health equity.

Responsibilities

Lead the IRU’s interdisciplinary care model, emphasizing evidence-based stroke and other neurological health conditions rehabilitation and culturally competent care for underserved populations.
Oversee medical stability and admission appropriateness, especially for underinsured or medically complex patients.
Coordinate with neurology, ICU, trauma, and emergency services to streamline transfers after acute stabilization.
Champion initiatives addressing social determinants of health, access barriers, and continuity of care.
Ensure regulatory compliance (CARF, CMS IRF, Joint Commission) including 60% rule, IRF-PAI accuracy, and QRP reporting.
Monitor stroke-specific metrics (functional gains, community discharge rates, readmissions, LOS efficiency) and disparities in access and outcomes for underinsured groups.
Oversee daily operations, staffing, and throughput of a 24-bed unit in partnership with the IRU Nurse and Rehabilitation Therapies Manager.
Develop standardized stroke pathways and care bundles to improve efficiency and functional recovery.
Optimize bed utilization and expedite transfers from trauma, neuro, and acute care units.
Work closely with case management to secure post-discharge resources for uninsured or underserved patients, including community agencies and charity programs.
Participate in IRU call coverage schedule.
Support training for residents, fellows, APPs, therapists, and nursing staff with emphasis on stroke rehabilitation and health equity.
Promote quality improvement initiatives addressing disparities in rehab access and outcomes.
Maintain board certification, CME requirements, and promote ongoing staff competency.
Guide development of stroke-focused specialty programming, including advanced neurorehabilitation technology and community reintegration initiatives.
Build partnerships with community health organizations, free clinics, and social service agencies to support uninsured patients.
Collaborate on grants or community health initiatives addressing gaps in rehabilitation access and equity.