Medical Director | South Carolina | Colonial Healthcare, a part of Optum

UnitedHealth Group•Sumter, SC

7d•$279,500 - $440,500

About The Position

Colonial Healthcare, part of the Optum family of businesses, is seeking an actively practicing physician to serve as Medical Director in Sumter, South Carolina. The Medical Director is the senior clinical leader for Colonial Healthcare in South Carolina, representing the organization externally and guiding its clinical strategy, provider culture, quality initiatives, and alignment with business direction. The role provides leadership for physicians and advanced practice clinicians, promotes clinical credibility and market presence, and stewards clinical excellence while aligning standards, data, and value-based care performance with enterprise strategies. The Medical Director dedicates time to both clinical practice and administrative leadership, partnering closely with the executive leadership team to advance growth, affordability, health equity, patient experience, and provider performance. The position is accountable for population health outcomes, including quality scores, risk adjustment performance, utilization management, and total cost of care. It also supports provider engagement, leadership development, and initiatives addressing health disparities and social determinants of health across South Carolina. Colonial Healthcare is a family-focused, patient-centric primary care and specialty medical practice with offices across Sumter, Columbia, Camden, and Manning, South Carolina. The organization emphasizes coordinated, continuous, high-quality care and advanced diagnostic services. Compensation generally ranges from $279,500 to $440,500, including base pay and bonus, subject to factors such as local labor markets, education, and work experience. Benefits include a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, an equity stock purchase plan, and a 401(k) contribution, subject to eligibility requirements.

Requirements

Medical Doctor (MD or DO).
Valid, unrestricted medical license in the state of practice and within the specialty of practice, if applicable, or ability to obtain it before starting.
Board certification.
Maintain any required clinical privileges at the hospitals used to treat patients.
At least 5 years of recent clinical practice experience.
Experience in both managed care (value-based care) and fee-for-service models.
Proficient computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, email systems, and web-based programs.
Good standing with, and ability to remain in good standing with, credentialing requirements.
Demonstrated success in value-based care, including quality, risk adjustment and coding accuracy, utilization management, and patient experience.
Ability to collaborate with a wide variety of healthcare professionals and staff, both within and outside the local care delivery organization.
Ability to travel to all clinics throughout South Carolina.
Pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Nice To Haves

At least 5 years of experience in a leadership role in a medical facility or related environment.

Responsibilities

Lead clinical strategy and represent the organization with employers, health systems, community partners, and regional stakeholders.
Strengthen market presence through relationship-building, physician networking, and strategic outreach initiatives.
Serve as senior clinical ambassador, supporting recruitment credibility and promoting Optum’s reputation across South Carolina.
Guide long-term clinical priorities, growth initiatives, referral development, and market strategy in partnership with organizational leadership.
Partner with the COO and operational leadership to ensure seamless operations, aligned execution, and sustained performance across clinics.
Maintain visible leadership among providers to reinforce culture, trust, and clinical alignment during organizational transition.
Set goals to reduce costs related to facilities, low-value care, specialty referrals, and other measures, and engage providers in action planning to meet targets.
Address patient care issues identified by clinical teams and provide strategic input on specialty and primary care adequacy.
Act as a clinical liaison with the Marketing team.
Ensure adherence to applicable clinical, operational, and regulatory requirements.
Identify and mentor high-potential lead physicians.
Lead, participate in, and attend meetings and committees.
Perform duties related to practicing medicine in accordance with standards of care.
Perform other related duties and responsibilities as directed.
Contribute to a positive, team-focused company culture.
Be accountable for population health outcomes, including quality scores, risk adjustment performance, utilization management, and total cost of care.
Lead provider engagement strategies to improve physician satisfaction, retention, and organizational trust.
Use clinical analytics and performance dashboards to drive evidence-based decision-making.
Lead initiatives addressing health disparities and social determinants of health across South Carolina communities.
Develop physician leadership pipelines and succession planning strategies.