Physician IV/Medical Director

Job Description:
Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as (k) and Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you
The SSLC Medical Director is responsible for managing, coordinating and directing all medical services including psychiatric, dental, pharmaceutical and laboratory work at the SSLC. Ensures the delivery of high quality medical services to individuals with intellectual disabilities served by SSLCs. Oversees and directs the diagnoses and treatment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who also have complex medical, psychiatric and/or behavioral health needs. Directs the administration of specialized medical treatments and procedures. Delegates to persons under his/her supervision portions of these duties and sufficient authority for their accomplishment but maintains overall responsibility for the medical care of the individuals at the SSLC. Participates in and oversees medical staff participation in treatment team process. Directly supervises staff Physicians, Advanced Nurse Practitioners (APRN), Physician Assistant(s), Pharmacist(s), Dentist(s), Psychiatrist(s) and oversees contracted staff in these positions. Serves as a primary care physician for a smaller caseload when needed. Assists other medical staff with complex cases. Provides and coordinates treatment to employees injured in course and scope of employment. Ensures optimum performance of the medical services department toward full compliance with the terms of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement. Responsible to constructing the on-call duty schedule and shares on-call duty with other qualified medical staff. The Medical Director works under the minimal supervision of the SSLC Director with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
Ensures the delivery of high quality medical services to individuals with intellectual disabilities served by SSLCs in accordance with current accepted medical practices. Oversees and directs the diagnoses and treatment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who also have complex medical, psychiatric and/or behavioral health needs. Provides medical services and care to assigned caseload. Directs the administration of specialized medical treatments and procedures. Coordinates with specialty clinics. Delegates to persons under his/her supervision portions of these duties and sufficient authority for their accomplishment but maintains overall responsibility for the medical care of the individuals at the SSLC.

Provides leadership and plans, assigns and supervises the daily activities of the medical department. Directly supervises medical department staff such as Physicians, Advanced Nurse Practitioners (APRN), Physician Assistant(s), Pharmacist(s), Dentist(s), Psychiatrist(s) and administrative/clerical staff. Supervises other types of staff as needed depending upon SSLC structure. Hires, trains, and promotes professional growth of the employees within the department so that a competent workforce is maintained. Ensures that all departmental staff are compliant in training per agency and facility standards. Conducts performance evaluations of assigned staff to give employees timely feedback on their performance and oversees staff development plans and activities. Acts to improve employee retention and reduce turnover.

Formulates, implements, and monitors plans to ensure optimum performance of the medical department and compliance with the terms of the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement. Participates actively in survey and audit processes. Analyzes data from multiple sources for trends, systemic issues, and areas for improvement. Proactively identifies issues and implements solutions.

Participates on and/or chairs various committees. Serves as a member of the Executive Team, the QA/QI Council, the Incident Management Review Team (IMRT) and Administrative Death Review team. Interfaces with the state office leadership via regular conference calls and face to face meetings. Participates on other work groups as needed to promote collaboration and operational effectiveness.

Participates in interdisciplinary planning conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings for individuals that reside at the SSLC and provides medical information to parents, legally authorized representatives (LAR) and family members as appropriate. Oversees the effective participation of other medical staff in same. Provides consultation to those staff when needed.

Promotes safety and wellbeing of staff at the SSLC. Provides and coordinates treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of methods and procedures in the field of general medicine and of the principle of the development, implementation, and documentation of individualized care and treatment plans.
Knowledge of medical jurisprudence.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, ICF-IID standards, certification requirements for the Council on Quality and Leadership, HHSC policies and procedures, and the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.
Skill in the care and treatment of patients and in the use of medical diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment.
Skill in analyzing problems, formulating and implementing plans of corrections, and successfully leading change as evidenced by positive outcomes.
Ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of others, to direct medical activities, to examine, diagnose and treat physical or mental disorders, to interpret laboratory analyses and x-rays, and to prepare and supervise preparation of case histories and medical records.
Ability to evaluate patients and implement an effective course of treatment in coordination with other interdisciplinary personnel.
Ability to successfully manage Medical Services Division and supervise/evaluate assigned personnel.
Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain required continuing medical education hours.

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