AHS Medical Director - Exempt

State of Vermont•Waterbury, VT

70d•$200,000 - $270,000

About The Position

The Medical Director reports directly to the Agency of Human Services (AHS) Secretary or the Secretary’s designee. The role provides medical expertise to the Departments of Corrections, Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, Mental Health, and Children and Families, and their health systems, to support and advance quality improvement. The Medical Director collaborates with department staff and contracted health providers, oversees clinical programs across AHS departments to promote clinical and operational alignment, and identifies ways to improve services, patient experience, quality, satisfaction, and health outcomes. The Medical Director provides clinical leadership and physician oversight for the AHS forensic facility and services for incarcerated individuals with potentially complex co-occurring needs, including mental health or substance use disorders, medical disorders, developmental or intellectual disabilities, and competency-restoration needs. The role supports development and implementation of clinical standards, policies, treatment programming, and quality oversight for forensic programming, and provides independent medical review when required by law, rule, or Agency policy. The Medical Director coordinates with the Department of Corrections’ contracted comprehensive health services provider, helps resolve patient-care issues, develops quality and outcome measures, represents the department at meetings, and advises clinical and non-clinical staff on evidence-based best practices and standards of care. Responsibilities also include rotating evening and weekend coverage for the DOC Health Services Division, monitoring work communication channels and escalating or responding to emergencies that require DOC support or intervention.

Requirements

M.D. or D.O. degree.
Board certification in an ABMS-approved specialty.
Current license to practice medicine in Vermont.
Meet Vermont Medicaid credentialing standards.
At least five years of clinical practice experience.
Demonstrated success in a medical management leadership role.
Expert knowledge of care management and quality improvement programs.
Understanding of national and Vermont health reform initiatives.
Experience providing healthcare to underserved communities with significant health risks.
Experience treating patients with acute and complex medical needs, including co-occurring substance use, mental health, and medical disorders or conditions.
Experience with EQRO standards and processes.
Familiarity with electronic health record systems.
Functional knowledge of Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Strong ability to examine and document work processes, identify and recommend improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, and develop procedures to replicate successful results.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Advanced ability to build effective relationships, work in a team-based environment, motivate, build consensus, negotiate, persuade, facilitate, resolve conflicts, demonstrate tact and sensitivity, and maintain confidentiality.
Advanced ability to prioritize work, multitask, direct or participate in groups, work independently and interdependently, exercise judgment, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Experience and skill in change management.
Advanced ability to analyze clinical data from medical and pharmacy claims and medical record reviews to determine cost, quality, and efficiency of practice patterns.
Proficiency in building commitment and motivation toward shared goals through staffing, delegation, empowerment, progress monitoring, feedback, and corrective action.
Strong budget development knowledge and budget administration skills.
Commitment to expanding healthcare access, enhancing healthcare quality, and improving health outcomes for Vermonters who experience systemic barriers, including identity-based discrimination or involvement in the criminal justice system.

Nice To Haves

American Board of Preventive Medicine certification in Addiction Medicine or board eligibility.
Psychiatry specialty is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide clinical support for review and adoption of clinical guidelines.
Conduct peer review of the medical contractor’s clinical care audits and continuous quality improvement studies, and directly audit contracted medical providers.
Provide independent physician oversight for high-risk and complex cases.
Enhance coordination and continuity of care through expert consultation.
Provide expertise on implementing care outcome metrics and initiatives to improve outcomes.
Ensure DOC compliance with National Commission on Correctional Health Care standards, including support during re-accreditation processes.
Strengthen internal clinical governance and compliance with healthcare standards.
Discuss clinical matters with external stakeholders, clinicians, AHS, and department staff as needed.
Review and evaluate complex sentinel events and identify findings for continuous quality improvement processes.
Provide oversight and guidance in managing diabetes, opioid use disorder, and other chronic conditions.
Participate in case reviews and system-level quality improvement efforts.
Provide medical expertise for utilization management and care management programs, including internal programs and programs delivered under contract or delegated to external entities.
Where possible, align contractor utilization management and care management programs with Vermont Medicaid and relevant DMH, VDH, DCF, and DAIL programs.
Provide rotating evening and weekend coverage for the DOC Health Services Division, monitoring communication channels and escalating or responding to emergency issues requiring DOC support or intervention.
Advise other AHS departments on medical needs and policies as requested.
Provide physician leadership and consultation in developing, implementing, and overseeing clinical standards for AHS forensic services and programming.
Provide independent physician review, consultation, or authorization for clinical decisions involving individuals receiving forensic services when required by statute, rule, court order, or Agency policy.
Collaborate with DOC, DMH, VDH, DCF, and DAIL contracted healthcare providers, the Judiciary, and other partners regarding clinical needs of individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Participate in developing and reviewing clinical protocols for complex forensic issues, including competency-related services, medication management, continuity of care, co-occurring mental health and substance use needs, and transitions between correctional, inpatient, residential, and community settings.