Medical Director

Abbott • Kansas City, KS

33d

About The Position

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: WORKING AT ABBOTT: At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan. An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists. THE OPPORTUNITY: The Medical Director, MRO is a US licensed physician responsible for overseeing the Medical Review Officer function within Medical Affairs. This role ensures compliance with DOT/HHS regulations, assists in managing MRO-A team and reporting, and provides strategic direction for drug testing programs. The MRO Manager also supervises staff, independent contracted MROs, manages budgets, and liaises with regulatory bodies and external partners. The MRO manager provides clinical oversight of occupational health reviews, develops protocols and procedures in compliance with National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

Requirements

• MD or DO with active medical license.
• Board certified or board eligible.
• Current MRO certification.
• Minimum 10 years of clinical experience, and knowledgeable in substance abuse disorders.
• At least 5 years of experience as a certified MRO, preferably in regulated testing environments (DOT/HHS).
• In-depth understanding of controlled substance abuse disorders.
• Familiarity with adulterated, substituted, and invalid specimen causes.
• Strong knowledge of DOT/HHS regulations and MRO guidelines.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

• Active subscription to ODAPC list-serve for regulatory updates.
• Prior experience in managerial or HR capacity within a healthcare or regulatory setting.
• National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRMCE) medical examiner certification

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Medical Review Officer Sub-Function within Medical Affairs.
• Direct oversight of all regulated MRO reviews and certified MROs
• Develop and implement strategies for medical review, drug testing oversight, and regulatory compliance for drug testing review of DOT/HHS regulated tests and non-regulated tests in employment settings.
• Make tactical and operational decisions aligned with organizational goals.
• Assist in managing departmental budget and resource allocation.
• Ensure adherence to protocols.
• Clinical oversight of occupational health review and determination of qualification status of NRCME medical evaluations.
• Oversee adverse event reporting and safety monitoring activities.
• Review and interpret drug test results, including alternative medical explanations.
• Ensure compliance with DOT/HHS MRO Guidelines and maintain current knowledge of regulatory updates.
• Coordinate reporting to regulatory agencies and ensure timely submission of required documentation.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with specimen collection procedures, chain of custody, and recordkeeping standards.
• Act as a liaison with external organizations under licensing agreements.
• Maintain current MRO certification and complete required requalification training.
• Ensure ongoing qualification training in specimen collection procedures, drug and validity test interpretation, DOT/HHS agency rules and updates, and interaction with DERs, SAPs, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in required audits and direct operations in alignment with Quality and Regulatory Affairs
• Provide guidance to clients, DERs. Collection sites, SAP and medical examiners for the MRO review processes as needed
• Serve as the organization’s clinical and regulatory expert in legal proceedings by providing comprehensive deposition and courtroom testimony related to Medical Review Officer (MRO) evaluations.
• Clinical Expertise in Controlled Substance Use Disorders The MRO Manager must possess in‑depth clinical knowledge and hands‑on experience in the evaluation and management of controlled substance abuse disorders. This includes a strong understanding of legitimate alternative medical explanations for laboratory‑confirmed drug test results.
• Expertise in Specimen Validity Issues, shy bladder evaluations and unusual outcomes in drug testing review The role requires comprehensive knowledge of issues related to adulterated, substituted, and invalid specimens, as well as the potential medical conditions that may contribute to such laboratory findings.
• Regulatory Knowledge and Continuous Compliance The MRO Manager must be thoroughly familiar with: 49 CFR Part 40 as amended HHS MRO guidelines DOT MRO Guidelines All applicable DOT/HHS agency regulations relevant to the employers served The individual must also maintain ongoing competency by staying current with regulatory updates and industry changes. This includes subscribing to the ODAPC email update service and other regulatory, educational and compliance requirements

Benefits

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree