Site Medical Director, Correctional Health Services, OTxHU

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation

Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units Program (OTxHU)

Since 2016, Correctional Health Services (CHS) has been the direct provider of health care in the New York City jails. Deeply committed to human dignity and patient rights, CHS is part of the NYC Health + Hospitals system and is a key partner in the City’s efforts to reform the criminal-legal system. Our in-jail clinical services include medical, nursing, and mental health care; pharmacy services; substance-use treatment; social work; dental and vision care; discharge planning; and reentry support.

Given the high visibility of this initiative, we are seeking the highest caliber health care professionals in key clinical services to staff our Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units (OTxHU). To be located in three NYC Health + Hospital acute care facilities, the OTxHU is a pioneering approach to safely increasing access to high quality clinical care for patients in custody who have complicated health conditions. OTxHUs will bridge the gap in the continuum between care provided in the jails and inpatient hospitalization, with admission to and discharge from the OTxHU in accordance with a patient’s clinical needs. CHS will be the primary health care providers on these units and the NYC Department of Correction will provide security and custody management.

The OTxHU at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in Manhattan will be the first of this unique, groundbreaking project to open with a planned completion date as early as the end of 2024. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a passionate and motivated team providing care to some of the City’s most marginalized, vulnerable people.

*To help support continuity of operations and care, staff selected to work in the OTxHU may also be required to work in CHS locations within the jails. Additionally, while CHS seeks the most qualified individuals for these positions, preference will be given to equally qualified, internal candidates.

Position Overview

Under general supervision of the Assistant Chief of Service, the Site Medical Director oversees the provision of medical care within a dedicated area in the jail system. With considerable latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and judgment, the Site Medical Director will support CHS Physicians and Physician Assistants in delivering high quality care to patients with chronic medical conditions or physical disabilities who do not require acute inpatient admission. Strong medical knowledge and communication skills will be important in coordinating care with specialists within CHS or at Bellevue Hospital. The Site Medical Director will also work closely with the Site Director of Nursing, Health Services Administrator and Mental Health Leadership to ensure comprehensive care is provided to all patients. This position is ideal for a candidate who does not want to be limited by a singular focus but would rather work in a system that requires broad interests in leadership, clinical care, quality improvement, and systems building.

Responsibilities

1. Develops workflows, policies and quality metrics for their dedicated area for patients with chronic or complex medical needs in close coordination with the Assistant Chief of Medicine and other CHS leadership.
2. Recruits, hires and trains staff to provide care in their dedicated area
3. Manages, supervises, coordinates and evaluates provision of health care. May also supervise and coordinate professional, clinical, operational, educational, or other related services.
4. Serves as clinical educator of front-line clinical staff on evidence-based medical practice, workflow, application of policy, and quality improvement efforts.
5. Oversees clinical medicine operations of the facility including processing of daily work such as laboratory and radiology review, medication renewal, and referral review. Plans, organizes and supervises comprehensive medical services and coordinates the work of professional staff.
6. Provides direct clinical care in order to meet service needs, understand clinical workflows, implications of policy changes and application of community standards to the security setting, as well as in exigent circumstances.
7. Retains current knowledge of latest evidence-based community standards of practice.
8. Coordinates care with partner hospitals and specialty services.
9. Participates in Quality Improvement initiatives and recommends changes in policy and workflow for more efficient, evidence-based practice.
10. Supervises medical staff ensuring that regular feedback is given and regular performance evaluations are completed; mediates staff conflicts; participates in disciplinary actions when necessary.
11. Helps resolve problems relating to staffing, utilization of facilities, equipment and supplies.
12. Serves as liaison between CHS and NYC Department of Correction staff as relates to clinical issues.
13. Develops operating plans, programs and procedures to implement system-wide goals and objectives.
14. Develops facility policies and procedures, and translates administrative policies, goals and objectives into working programs. Assists in interpretation and implementation of CHS policies and procedures.
15. Maintains clinical competency by participating in all CME and CHS training and in-service requirements.
16. Maintains schedule as agreed to with particular attention to punctuality and timelynotification of absences.
17. Adheres to policies and procedures of CHS and remains familiar with them by reviewing as needed.
18. Completes tasks as delegated by an Assistant Chief of Medicine or other supervising clinical team member.
19. Maintains and provides documentation of all required credentials.
20. Maintains professional attitude and appearance.
21. Adheres to Occupational Health Services requirements.
22. Other duties as assigned by an Assistant Chief or Chief of Medicine.

Department Preferences

• Graduation from a medical school approved by the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association.
• Completion of a residency program in Internal Medicine or Primary Care.
• Certification by American Board in field of specialization or a faculty appointment of Associate Professor or higher in a medical school recognized by the American Medical Association.
• Unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of New York, as well as current DEA, BCLS and ACLS certification, and Infection Control Certification.
• Experience working with patients in a skilled nursing facility or other residential setting
• Experience leading quality improvement initiatives
• Skilled in patient-centered shared decision making
• Skilled in communicating risks and benefits of clinical interventions and assessing capacity to make informed decisions.
• Interest in medical leadership and team building
• Experience working with patients who have serious mental illness
• Experience working with patients who carry substance use diagnoses; knowledge of harm reduction approaches to care; and familiarity with medications to treat opioid use disorder
• Understanding of trauma-informed care
• Teaching experience and/or fellowship training in geriatric medicine, infectious disease/HIV primary care, or addiction medicine are preferred.

Corporate title Qualifications

Applicants must have all of the following:

1. Graduation from a medical school approved by the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association.
2. Completion of an acceptable internship in an approved hospital.
3. A license to practice medicine in the State of New York.
4. Certification by American Board in field of specialization or a faculty appointment of Associate Professor or higher in a medical school recognized by the American Medical Association.
5. Eight (8) years of satisfactory full-time paid experience in field of specialization including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or administrative capacity. (Training and experience required for certification will be credited toward required specialized experience.)